SOLD Refurbished Holton BBb Sousaphone

[keiranto]

Price: in the region of £4800 - make me an offer!

For sale is my Holton BBb Sousaphone - basically the closest you could get to buying a 1960s vintage instrument in the condition it left the factory. This instrument has been fully stripped down, repaired, refurbished and silver plated at a cost of £3600 by the fantastic McQueen's Instrument Repairers in Manchester, and is in basically factory condition - as well as the benefit of having been built from solid, older brass, rather than the softer, cheaper brass that even decent brand new instruments use these days.

This Sousaphone dates from 1960 according to the serial number, I don't know much of its history before I bought it in 2012 from Gerry Birch music in Kent, who used to import various Sousaphones from America for the UK market, and was selling off the last of his stock. I then played it hard for most of my professional career - along the way it picked up a new third valve stem and cap, as well as an extra brace I had custom made and attached to protect the relatively fragile and exposed leadpipe and receiver.

Sadly, in 2023, I tripped while carrying it between gigs at the Cork jazz festival and damaged two valve stems, the bell and the third valve tuning slide, along with some heavy dents. I then took the instrument to McQueen's in Manchester, who performed their full overhaul and refurbishment service, including spending hours taking every dent out, silver plating, the manufacture of a new leadpipe, valve plating, custom new valve stems and caps, and adjustments to the main tuning slide, to return the Sousaphone nearly a year later in arguably better than new condition - as the extra leadpipe brace and tuning adjustment made it play better than it ever had before the accident.

However, I've found that the Martin Mammoth Sousaphone I bought to replace it while the repairs were ongoing, was a better personal physical fit for me, and this, as well as nervousness taking a pristine lovely instrument into chaotic bar gigs and drunken weddings, has meant this instrument has sat in my music room basically unplayed since July last year - and it feels like this is far too much of a waste of a lovely Sousaphone, so it's time for me to sell it on.

It might suit a collector, but especially would suit someone looking for an as-new professional instrument, with the advantage of older brass construction. it plays beautifully across the whole range, in tune and with a full and powerful sound, all valves have good compression and near silent movement, and all tuning slides move freely. Any slight blemishes in the silver plate can be seen in the photographs but have no affect on the instrument. It has a full leadpipe and two tuning bits, and can be supplied with a heavy but bulletproof old wooden case and a choice of mouthpieces if needed, as well as the neotech shoulder and bow protectors shown.

I'm located in Merseyside, UK, but regularly travel all over the UK for gigs, and would be happy to deliver within the UK or potentially Western Europe for trial or purchase for the cost of my diesel. Please feel free to ask any questions or make me an offer - the listed price is high but I think represents the value of this instrument - it's £250 less than buying a new Chinese made silver plated BBb Sousaphone from Wessex or similar, and I think you get a lot more for your money. I can also provide videos of playing demos on request.

I'd also consider part exchange for a less pristine American BBb Sousaphone I can use as my spare, especially a King, Martin or Conn, a bass sax, or certain items of PA gear, feel free to let me know.

Album of photos can be found at https://photos.app.goo.gl/SBkgqEd2dJctPXJM6

[keiranto]

Bump - price reduced to £4400 OBO

[keiranto]

Now sold