looking for info on King BBb sousaphone SN267XXX

[Jack Denniston]

I didn't see anything in the archives, so I'm hoping you can tell me something about the quality of King BBb sousaphones with serial numbers in the 267,600 range. I checked the King website and it looks like they were made between 1940 and 1945- does that sound right? I'm thinking about buying one in fair condition- does $995 sound like a fair price?

Thanks,

Jack

[imperialbari]

King’s are different from Conn’s, but that is just a matter of taste aside from one physical consideration: Does the main tuning slide cause you problems, when it is pulled as needed? Will you involuntarily push it in?

It is impossible to evaluate a fair price for an instrument, one has not seen. The price quoted may be fair. However my personal calculations also include the costs of keeping the instrument playable in a foreseeable future. A major factor is whether the instrument will need a valve job, and if so whether there still is sufficient material in the walls of the piston casings. The combined costs still may be justifiable considering the playing potentials of the instrument, but only a specific evaluation will tell that.

Klaus

[Jack Denniston]

Thanks- this is very helpful and I really appreciate it.

Does anyone know if I have this horn dated right, based on the serial number?

[imperialbari]

Kirmser has it made in 1945 as I read this page:

http://www.musictrader.com/king.html

Klaus

[dwaskew]

according to musictrader.com, it was made in 1945-46 or so.....

dwa