Conn 20K - help me out here...

[SousaSaver]

So I have heard lots of chatter about Eastlake production Conn 20K Sousas and Elkhart production Conn 20Ks. I have heard that some folks like the Elkhart ones better, but I don't fully understand why. So please help me understand this.

So (in your humble opinions, of course) what do you all think? Why would one be any better than another? Be as brutally honest as you can.

[sloan]

There's a guy on this board from Tennessee who hardly ever posts.........I can't think of his name right now but
he once said something about the lead pipe bracing being inferior which, if true, is a big knock as this is one of the
parts that kids wreak. Usually while wreaking the gooseneck. I think also there was something about the angle of the lead pipe.
Too bad that guy posts so rarely ! I'd like to hear it directly from him.

If you ain't bloke, don't try to fix it.

[imperialbari]

I don’t know much about differences in Conn sousaphones according to the place they were made. What I know about them is about the difference from before and after WWII.

Before: very heavy walled - a very distinct projection sort of on top of a warm sound.

After: lighter - not as solid a warmth to the tone - breaking up more easily.

Klaus

[imperialbari]

I don’t know much about differences in Conn sousaphones according to the place they were made. What I know about them is about the difference from before and after WWII.

Before: very heavy walled - a very distinct projection sort of on top of a warm sound.

After: lighter - not as solid a warmth to the tone - breaking up more easily.

Klaus

I really would like to hear more about the pre-1914 Conn sousaphones. Do tell...

You got me on that one! I have 3 playable instruments from before 1900, but they are all British.

I will edit where possible.

Klaus