converting Conn BBb sousaphones to Conn BBb helicons

[iiipopes]

bloke, curious question: why couldn't the main tuning slide just be lengthened? Would it have stuck out onto the bugle? I thought the old Conn true helicons had the same valve block with just a longer main tuning slide, and the souzys had a shorter main tuning slide?

[SousaSaver]

As simple as it appears, this was no walk-in-the-park; The bore of my upper mouthpipe had to start and finish the same as a Conn upper mouthpipe, and the footprint (relative beginning and ending points in space) had to be the same. Finally, curving tubing this severely and keeping it round (if you are just a bloke with a shop) is a bit of a challenge as well.

"No walk in the park" is being modest. This is fine work by any standard. Did you use a circular piece of wood to bend? How did you maintain such a perfect circle AND the proper angle on the pipe? I am always striving to learn new tricks from those who know more than I.

[SousaSaver]

Bloke, what about doubling back the main tuning slide like Harv has done on this 20K's added 4th valve tuning slide:

[iiipopes]

Thanks for explaining my off-the-wall question. I understand better now.

[Harvey Hartman]

Wow !! Great idea!! Very nice work, Your the Man, Joe!!! Thanks for showing your WORK & IDEAS

[SousaSaver]

Thanks for the info!

Don't be embarrassed to use odd stuff. I use a plastic hammer and a small bowling ball to remove dents from timpani bowls. Why? Because it's what I have that will work.

Note to self; get a croquet ball...

[imperialbari]

All these fine efforts, including the lengthening of the main tuning slide, done with one purpose:

Avoiding a CC helicon!

Klaus