opinions on a King sousaphone

[jamsav]

I didnt check the serial # for yr built, but I am guessing that thats from the mid /late 70s , and I would expect that to be a really fine playing horn ! The ergonomics are good, it can be played in tune and has strong projection. My King sousy is very responsive and is relatively mouthpiece sensitive. It can sound dark and heavy with a deep funnel mouthpiece or can be brightened up by something shallower...that having been said, the auction price on that seems high....I d look around a bit ...and " loud and powerful" will come from you , the player - keep working it ! js

[SousaSaver]

I'm just a beggining player on the sousaphone, I usually play euphonium and trombone.

some one explained to me that the conns will sound more as a concert tuba, more deep etc. since their bore is wider.
so I heard that maybe a king sousaphone will fit my needs better, I want a big bright sound, and a instrument that I can play fast on.

King Sousaphones are fine instruments. If the instrument is set up properly, playing fast should not be an issue on any Sousaphone.

In my opinion, the sound will depend on the players experience and ability. Technique is very critical in making a Sousa sound good and not "blatty".

[Rev Rob]

If you do decide to purchase this King Sousaphone, Wichita Music is a good company to work with.

[toobagrowl]

I have now a Conn 14k sousaphone in a pretty good condition,
I play mostly gypsy brasss music, and I need a sousaphone that really kicks ***, I mean by that that it needs to be loud and powerful, I'm just a beggining player on the sousaphone, I usually play euphonium and trombone.

some one explained to me that the conns will sound more as a concert tuba, more deep etc. since their bore is wider.
so I heard that maybe a king sousaphone will fit my needs better, I want a big bright sound, and a instrument that I can play fast on.

If someone can give me some pointers and suggestions of specific sousaphone models that will work for me.

this is an option I have check it on ebay and tell me what you think.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SUPERB-KING-1250-BR ... 4611wt_913" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Thanks,

Ailon

Go for it man; buy the King! As some now know on here, Kings are my favorite sousaphones. I prefer their sound and intonation over the other souzies. They are well made too. Conns are good too, but you already have playing experience on one since you own one. The Kings tend to have a more compact sound than the Conns because of their smaller bore and different wrap. But you can still play loud as heck on one and get a good edge or bite to the sound when you really push it. Can't go wrong with either a King or Conn as they are the best sousaphones made

[toobagrowl]

The King sousaphones (both bore and body...though the bell does flare out 2" wider at the very end) are definitely smaller than 14K sousaphones and (maybe...??) a bit easier to "fill up" (and get "bright", etc.)

Is that so? The King 2350 souzy and Conn 14K seem to be about the same size to me.