fairly early 4 valve sousaphone with a non-orig 32K bell

[windshieldbug]

The pitch says "Seller states that everything works and sounds good."



Of course, that's without a mouthpipe, gooseneck, or mouthpiece, and WITH some "vintage" plastic tubing, a trumpet mouthpiece, and a LOT of gold spraypaint (guess they ran out before they got to the bell... )

[Lew]

It's obviously not playable as it is, but a Conn 40K, even needing the leadpipe (not counting the neck and bits) is still a steal, even with a 32K bell, if it sells for anything near where it is now. The leadpipe parts should still be available without having to custom make them because I believe that 20K parts should work for it.

[Matt G]

I wonder how many folks are bidding on that horn for just the valve block?

[Lew]

I wonder how many folks are bidding on that horn for just the valve block?

I wouldn't...

With those sousaphone-shaped 4th valve loops, no upward-oriented #1 / #3 / #4 slides, and (very likely) shot valves, what's the real monetary value of that?

Unless you have another 40K for which you need parts.

[Bandmaster]

It's obviously not playable as it is, but a Conn 40K, even needing the leadpipe (not counting the neck and bits) is still a steal, even with a 32K bell...

I didn't know that a 32K bell would fit in a 40K??? I thought the 32K was a "Lightweight Sousaphone"... with the smaller bell flange? Since there is no "K" stamped next to the "32", and my 38K has the number "77" stamped in the same spot on the bell, I don't think the number 32 has anything to do with the model number. From the looks of the engraving on the bell it is vintage as well. It might even be the original bell for this horn. It's hard to tell because someone has covered the body of the horn in gold spray paint. I can tell, since my 38K IS gold plated. Note where the old neck braces and thumb ring broke off... the scars have been covered over by the spray paint too.

I believe that 20K parts should work for it.

A 20K lower mouthpipe on that instrument would challenge a player's ability to play up to A=440...

...unless they sacrificed one or both of the tuning bits.

OK, well, how much shorter IS the 38k/40K leadpipe assembly than the 20K?

[Matt G]

I wonder how many folks are bidding on that horn for just the valve block?

I wouldn't...

With those sousaphone-shaped 4th valve loops, no upward-oriented #1 / #3 / #4 slides, and (very likely) shot valves, what's the real monetary value of that?

Don't tell them that!!!

[eli]

... sucker just ended over a grand! "vintage" plastic leadpipe, spray paint and all...