Kevin Eckelkamp from MO here, got a Monster Sousaphone ?? :)

[Shockwave]

Get this guy Oberloh to doll it up like this:



Or like this


-Eric

[Lee Stofer]

I would suggest that you do a lot of homework before you spend that kind of money on an instrument. "Overhaul" standards and quality vary from shop to shop. Determine if you want a better-looking player at a budget price, a like-new instrument or a museum piece. There are shops that will do what you want, the trick is finding the right one.

My favorite overhaul shop tests the compression on each instrument, and if it does not meet specs, they have the facilities to completely restore the valves, including plating, to better-than-new specs. Every instrument that I've sent to them has returned not only playing great, but a pleasure to look at, too. Their prices are not the cheapest, but their work is amongst the best.

If you do not need a "top-shelf" instrument or have the budget to do so, then there are less-expensive options. If an instrument has a so-so or better finish, but just mainly has dents and a worn-out valve set, you could have the valve set removed and sent off for replating and re-fitting of pistons, re-installed on the instrument, have most of the dents removed, and have the instrument cleaned, and you'd have a good, solid player for a fraction of the cost of a full restoration.

[imperialbari]

Get this guy Oberloh to doll it up like this:



-Eric

Oh, would Oberloh put a second bell on a sousaphone also?

K

[sloan]

Get this guy Oberloh to doll it up like this:



-Eric

Oh, would Oberloh put a second bell on a sousaphone also?

K

Betcha he would - if that's what you want (and can pay for it).

[David Richoux]

I would hesitate getting that "frosted" or "sandblasted" texture/finish - I have seen it done quite well, but the silver seems to tarnish much more quickly after a few years of actual playing. It may be that the rougher surface exposes more area to the environment - but I am not sure of the exact science.

As far as "Double-Bell Sousaphones" go - how about this idea?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/299 ... a5.jpg?v=0 - a bit hard to make out the details, but it is a fiberglass sousaphone with two bells grafted together. I have seen it up close and it is nicely done. The "dragon" details are actually braces to help hold the two bells together.

[iiipopes]

I don't know, but for the right price I'm sure he would put a convertable bell collar & tenon on it so you could exchange bells for a heli/souzy!

[Mike-ICR]

I've always wondered if it would be possible to modify a standard souzie bell into an upright "raincatcher" bell, like the original sousaphones had. Is there anyone out there doing that?

It's actually relatively easy. I've only done one before and I'm about to start another. First you need to fit a second bell collar just before the 1st branch (like a souzy to heli conversion). Then fit an upright bell into the bell receiver. As long as you pick an appropriate bell and don't scre up the pitch you'll be fine. I think TubaTinker makes custom bell collars.