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Odd sousaphone

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 9:45 pm
by Heavy_Metal
anyone ever see one of these?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Karl-Sc ... 35dc653b5d" target="_blank

Re: Odd sousaphone

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 12:36 am
by Heliconer
I want to say yes, but no haha However I'd love to play it! :tuba:

Re: Odd sousaphone

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 2:54 am
by sousaphone68
The item's description does not mention what key it is, I was guessing it's an Eb because of the loop back but the second valve slide looks too long for an Eb.

Re: Odd sousaphone

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 9:22 am
by Dan Schultz
I've seen one of those before. In fact... I think I scrapped one out and still have the wonky over-the-shoulder branch hanging in my shop. If you combine the hairpin shoulder tube and the very long leadpipe.... which goes into the third valve, the horn is probably pitched in BBb. I'll have to dig around and see if I can find some of the parts when I get back to the shop next week. It looks like the kind of stuff ORSI (Italian) would build.

Re: Odd sousaphone

Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 11:31 am
by windshieldbug
The original company was founded as J.W.Jenkins Co., and succeeded by J.W. Jenkins Sons. (John Woodward Jenkins died in 1890) The company was an all-around retailer of anything musical including violins, and novelty instruments, such as the Frisco slide whistle.

1903 J. W. Jenkins Sons Music Cos Complete Catalogue of Band Instruments shows a photo of their store at 1013 and 1015 Walnut St. Kansas City, Mo. The window display shows Steinway Pianos and Vose Pianos. The catalogue list York & Sons full line. Showing the Monarch and the Professional Cornets. Also lists a Valve Trombone. Catalogue also lists Gomat & co, August Henem, Courtois and The Leeder Mouthpieces. They state that they are makeing the Leeder now. There is also a photo of their factory it shows men polishing up guitars and other stringed instruments.

In the 20s and 30s they imported Bohland and Fuchs which the put under the Trade Name of Harwood. American Capital instruments were imports and were sold by Jenkins. According to a catalog from the 1930s, Jenkins sold a variety of brands, including Karl Schubert (tradename for Czechoslovakianimports), American Capital (also a tradename for imports), Bohland and Fuchs, Pan American (and Cavalier).

Re: Odd sousaphone

Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2015 2:55 pm
by Theredbarn
Bringing to life an old post!

I bought this horn back in September. What can I say - it called to me! I've been looking for history on it and looks like I've found a wealth of knowledge here. It's heading to a local shop next week with the goal of making it "playable". I'll keep you posted!

Re: Odd sousaphone

Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 5:49 pm
by Theredbarn
Sadly the valve caps were too badly damaged and there is too much internal damage to make this horn playable. However, It will have a home as my other hoppy is VW beetles. This old girl is going to be a rack queen on top of my car at shows!