Sousaware (Wade's going to love this one!)

[Dan Schultz]

Dan, ..... Up there do you have any of these "mega" high schools...with *10 or more sousaphones...and they're all metal...?? ....

I don't do anything with the Evansville School System as they still have their own repair department. The vogue here is shouldered contras (EGAD!) My local high school marches a huge band and uses contras. I don't see any of their work, either... as it all goes to a large local music store that has a fairly big rental program and repair department. I do ALL of the brass work for the local junior high and grade schools. They are a real pleasure to work with and the kids seem to take care of things pretty good.
The sousa described in this thread came from a high school across the river in Kentucky. I don't go after business from local schools and enjoy a great walk-in business and also do quite a bit of 'distance' business via the Internet.
I cut one of those $50 Chinese Bb cornets to C today and it turned out pretty good. Now... if I can just get the valves cleaned up so it's playable!

[OldBandsman]

I'm a little surprised nobody had mentioned balance in this discussion. It's been a long time since I had a sousie on my shoulder, but I remember having it in balance well enough to ride my bicycle with it up there.

Dan, your first picture looks as though its balanced. In the second and third pics it looks as though you have to keep your left hand on it. The New Orleans Olympic guy looks balanced.

Was balance a factor in this transaction at all??

John Roberts

[Dan Schultz]

I'm a little surprised nobody had mentioned balance in this discussion. .......Was balance a factor in this transaction at all?? John Roberts

Hi, John! Properly assembled and worn, a sousa is pretty well balanced. When a customer insists that I do something dumb to their instruments even after I've explained all the options... then balance becomes just one of the problems they have to accept.

[Lew]

Lew,

You said it so much nicer than I did.

Doc

Perhaps, but I liked your response better, and it's what I think should be done.