Olds fiberglass Sousy

andrew the tuba player · Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:08 am

I have an Olds Sousaphone that was given to me by my Highschool on account of unplayability. It has a big split in the valve area that can be fixed and a cracked bell (which i have a replacement). But, what gets me most is the position of the valve set. The lead pipe is about even with my nose. I was wondering how you get a gooseneck on it. Do you hold this style differently? I'm used to a conn 20K with the valves further down. I made sure the valves were on currectly. Just need some info. I'll see if I can get some pics tommorow. If I can't find out any thing I'd like to see if i could trade for a project Conn fiberglass sousy. I'm alot more familier with the anatomy.

TUbajohn20J · Post by **TUbajohn20J** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:46 am

You just have to work with it. The King, Old, and Reynolds sousas always had (and still do have) high positioned valve sets. I find them VERY uncomfortable to play. I've played on a King horn that has what you're talking about. I put a neck on it, and there is no way in hell that you could fit 2 bits on there without breaking your neck. or even 1 bit. I hate those kind of horns. I dont know what the deal is with those, or why they made them like that. How do they expect you to play and be comfortable?? It was mainly the 70's and 80's models. The newer ones aren't as bad but are still uncomfortable. I just feel strangled when I pick up one. I always go with Conn. They play, and feel better

andrew the tuba player · Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:50 am

Well, I don't think going legal against my band director is such a good idea. espeacialy since i'm trying to get ahold of an old 20j.....What style of neck does this horn take?

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:51 pm

Dan "TubaTinker" Schultz or Bloke should be able to set you up with an Olds neck. There is a seller on eBay that sometimes has some up for auction also...

Eric "currently looking for a Conn souzy" L.

andrew the tuba player · Sat Dec 29, 2007 5:58 pm

I'd really like to swap it for a conn in as good or even less than same condition. I like conns. Does anyone know how would be the best way (more like who to talk to) about this? I play a 20K in high school. I'd like to have the fiberglas version or the fiberglaas 14K (I'm not good on Fiberglass numbers).

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:42 pm

Long after Olds went out of business, there were still many major universities (including Tennessee Tech and Cal State Long Beach) and high schools using the fiberglass sousaphones. You might just be able to find another one.

andrew the tuba player · Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:45 pm

true. I'd really like a conn. I don't know. We'll see. If I can't find anything, I'll probably just get the tears fixed and sell it.

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:59 pm

andrew the tuba player wrote:I'd really like to swap it for a conn in as good or even less than same condition.

Not likely. Conns are held in high regard and the Olds not so much. You would end up having to throw in some cash for someone to take the Olds as trade for a Conn. Again, see if Dan "TubaTinker" Schultz would be willing to take the Olds as partial trade for one of the other fiberglass souzys he has around.

Your best bet, wallet-wise, is to keep what you've got.

Eric

Dave Hayami · Post by **Dave Hayami** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 12:16 am

Hello,
The Olds's and the Reynold's sousaphones share a lot of parts, including the
upper neck-pipe and tuning bits. A "King" neck-pipe will fit, but not very well.(and then you are stuck using the King bits)
An _-bay seller has had many necks and bits listed "mrstregs".
Dan(Tuba Tinker) or Joe (Bloke) or any of the other repair/venders could probably order a neck and a set of bits for you(or even your local shop), I think Allied still has them listed.
If you can get the Olds put back together, and find/fix all of the leaks, they really don't play that bad, As a plus, all of the valve slides pull, even the top first slide so you are able to adjust as you play,just like a tuba.

The Conn FIBERGLASS model numbers,
short stroke valves 26" bell 22K(20K in Brass)
long stroke valves, 24" bell 36K(14K in Brass)
I haven't seen a Fiberglass model that would be the same as a
Brass 38K
( Newer Conn 36K's with the smaller bore are really Kings )
Just my $0.02's worth,Good luck,

Dave"Way too much Sousaphone Trivia" Hayami

andrew the tuba player · Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:18 pm

I'm not a great fan of fiberglass either. But, hey a free souzy's a free souzy. I'd love to have a 20k like my schools...but, I'm broke and they're high

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:24 am

Waaaaiiiitt just a goshdarn minute. There are two, yes two, people responding to this thread as Andrew (OP). One's screen name is "andrew the tuba player", the other is "andew the tuba player". TROLL ALERT. The differing post count is what tipped me off. Schlepp, I will PM you about this.

Eric "annoyed" L.

andrew the tuba player · Mon Dec 31, 2007 2:05 am

Yes, I thought that'd be noticed soon. What happened is a log time ago when i joined, I accedently left the R out of my name. So, I made a new profile....But, the old still pops up since it was saved. I got the wrong one that time

OldsRecording · Post by **OldsRecording** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:23 am

WakinAZ wrote:Waaaaiiiitt just a goshdarn minute. There are two, yes two, people responding to this thread as Andrew (OP). One's screen name is "andrew the tuba player", the other is "andew the tuba player". TROLL ALERT. The differing post count is what tipped me off. Schlepp, I will PM you about this.

Eric "annoyed" L.

Maybe it's just me, but if I were going to troll, I would be a great deal more inflamitory than that.

I mean, isn't that the general purpose behind trolling?

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:04 pm

The last troll outed on TN that I recall was posing as a high schooler from Texas and wasn't always inflammatory. Who knows what gives these guys their jollies...scary to think about it.