Big Ol' Sousaphone Poll

[Jedi Master]

The question came up as to how many Conn Jumbos were manufactured, and still exist.

I am just of curious how many GiaMammbophones are in the possession of Tubeneters...

Stats are welcome! (remember: size DOES matter!)

[mammoth2ba]

"Giant" sounds an impressive name for the King, but really not in the same category as the real Jumbo sousaphones. Kiltie posted a few side-by-side photos in an earlier thread.

However, King also made a _Jumbo_, #1265. I've never seen one, but the specifications merit the name more than their "giant".

Image and specs of the King Jumbo are on the H.N. White site:
http://www.hnwhite.com/King/Low%20Brass ... Inside.jpg" target="_blank" target="_blank

Would love to see one of King's Jumbos (68-inch height, 32-inch bell diameter) with elaborate bell engraving H.N. White was so well known for!

King_Jumbo_sousa.jpg

[Steve Marcus]

I've never seen a King 1265 Jumbo in person, but this thread takes you to a discussion and photo of PurdueTubaPlayer's 3-valve King 1265 Jumbo with its 32" bell: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=35400&p=311515#p311515

Here's a second photo of PurdueTubaPlayer playing his 3-valve King Jumbo:

[Timswisstuba]

Since we're taking a sousa-census, I own a King 32 inch Jumbo/Giant. Here is a picture of the 32 inch bell next to a regular Conn 24 inch.

Enjoy

[mammoth2ba]

OK here goes

Regarding Conn Jumbos, one that was in Canada is moving to Scandinavia.

Add 6 more Conns to your list that I know of (one each in England, Netherlands, and Belgium), but you didn't mention......plus any Mike Lynch has.

So, more than 20 that we "know of"........

That would make a mighty large Summit, even if only the Conns turned out.

[Paul Scott]

I now own a 1930 Buescher sousa which appears to be what was listed as a 690 in my 1929 catalogue (Kiltie mentions this instrument in his post). The valve bore averages about .765 and the bell has a 30 inch diameter with a 9 inch collar.

I've also listed my Martin Mammoth but I never think of it as being very "jumbo-like"-they have a 26 inch bell with a 7 and 7/8 inch collar.

[Lew]

While not a jumbo sousaphone, I do have a Henry Distin helicon that has a 30" bell. The body and throat are more like a 20K in size, so it isn't really in the same category, but the bell is a monster.

[pjv]

I'm living out in Holland and have recently acquired Dan Schultz' old gold 3v Jumbo Grand (from 1924 if Conn Loyalist is correct). Lovely instrument, smooth ride.
I also own a silver 4v Martin Mammoth from 1926 which sports a 30" bell! Seeing as the Conn has the sound I look for in a sousaphone I have the Martin up for sale. Unfortunately there's not really a market out here for a beast like this. If it doesn't sell I just might use the valve set for a Mammoth Cimbasso.

-Patrick

[Timswisstuba]

I'm living out in Holland and have recently acquired Dan Schultz' old gold 3v Jumbo Grand (from 1924 if Conn Loyalist is correct). Lovely instrument, smooth ride.
I also own a silver 4v Martin Mammoth from 1926 which sports a 30" bell! Seeing as the Conn has the sound I look for in a sousaphone I have the Martin up for sale. Unfortunately there's not really a market out here for a beast like this. If it doesn't sell I just might use the valve set for a Mammoth Cimbasso.

-Patrick

Patrick,

Before you make a cimbasso out of the Mammoth Martin, please check your private messages.

[mcfolks]

I have one of the 'others'- a 1937 Holton Short Action. The valves were worn badly, but Andersons rebuilt them, and I am taking it today to Kevin Powers at Custom Music to re-install the valve block. I can't wait to play it!! Debating on using it in my Alumni Band reunion in September- man it's big!

[Dan Schultz]

...... I have the Martin up for sale. Unfortunately there's not really a market out here for a beast like this. ...... -Patrick

Hi, Patrick! I see you joined TubeNet back in 2004 but I've never seen any of your posts. Welcome back!

I would think there would be a VERY good market in Europe for that Martin souzy. The toughest part is done.... it's already on the east side of 'the pond'!

Make sure to let these guys know when you post any recordings. I think the style you play is quite 'interesting'.

[Steve Marcus]

I have one of the 'others'- a 1937 Holton Short Action...man it's big!

That's approximately the same year in which the two known ornately engraved Holton "Chief" raincatchers (healthy standard size sousaphones, but NOT Jumbos) were built, one of which is now being enjoyed by Don Harry.

What is the diameter of the bell and the collar on your 1937 Holton Short Action?

[Dan Schultz]

I have one of the 'others'- a 1937 Holton Short Action...man it's big!

That's approximately the same year in which the two known ornately engraved Holton "Chief" raincatchers (healthy standard size sousaphones, but NOT Jumbos) were built, one of which is now being enjoyed by Don Harry.

What is the diameter of the bell and the collar on your 1937 Holton Short Action?

I also have a Holton 'short-action' sousa. It's roughly the same size as a Conn 20K.... but still a 'midget' along side of the 'Jumbo'.

[Dan Schultz]

I went to Purdue this past weekend for homecoming. I'm happy to report that Purdue's King 'Big Bertha' is alive and well. I'm sad to say that they only marched twenty sousaphones this year.... down from twenty-six just a couple of years ago.

Still a great band but it appears that the ranks are dwindling. I think they only put about 250 on the field at half-time.... including the guard.

[Bandmaster]

...and that raincatcher in California that was at TubaChristmas

This is the one refered to at Tuba Christmas Disneyland. He has brought it three years in a row, hopefully he will there again this year. He told me he found it in the attic over the band room of the the private Christian School he attended in San Diego.


The one below was sold on eBay back in November 2005 and showed up at Tuba Christmas Los Angeles the next month. Unfortunately I have not seen it again after that, so I don't know where it is now. The guy that bought off of eBay was a member of this forum back then, but I don't know if he is still posting here.

[Roger Fjeldet]

The Conn Jumbo that moved to Scandinavia is now living in Norway
It`s going to it`s first Norwegian gig this weekend together with a 34 K who lives in the same basement.
I also have a 4 valve Buescher about the same size as the 34K.

Roger

[pjv]

Interesting,

I used to own a '40's Holton which was quite clearly marked 130 on the bell engraving. But this was a sousaphone with a 26" bell and a bell collar (measurements???) which facilitated an effortless exchange with a 20K bell. The bore was possibly larger (memories) than a .734" 20K but I'm certain it wasn't larger than my .773" 36J.

Curious. I thought Holton was better organized with their model numbers?

-Patrick

[TUbajohn20J]

Now if only Conn would have made a jumbo in tuba form, just like the 20J/20K Series. How bout a 48J/48K?? If only....

[eupher61]

I'm trying to get specs on the King I used to own, now with a collector. By my memory, admittedly faulty, it's bigger than anything I've seen written about here. Literally, the bell throat was big enough that the tenon could rest on my shoulders. It did, Halloween 1988, in fact. King had no record of anything that size. Dick Barthe (with King at the time) saw it and had no ideas. Biggest damned souzie I've ever seen. There may be a picture on line, otherwise I'll be hardpressed to find one easily.

steve

[saxophyte]

I have a 1926 silverplated buescher 30 inch bell was a wall hanger coated with varnish .Bell is finished working on the body.