Conn 20k

[Tulanetubaboy]

Not sure if this is the right place for this, but how much would a Conn 20k with short action valves run me? I would prefer it be ready to play and not need repairs. I was told that if I were going to invest in a sousaphone, the Conn 20k with short action valves would be the best horn to consider. I'm just curious about pricing. I doubt I have the spare cash to afford one right now.

[Brown Mule]

Look at subject" Sousaphones" in E'Bay. They always have some 20k's for sale and you can get good idea of price range.

[SousaSaver]

Well a new Conn 20K is in the 8000 range, used (but playable with little dents) is somewhere between 1500 and 4000, and a real junker can be had for less than a grand (but still be playable). Of course you're dealing with an instrument that weighs 30 pounds with, as some might further elaborate on, some flat partials.

A good King 1250 or 2350 are usually cheaper with just about the same sound. Or if you can find a 14K in good condition those are supposedly even better, especially the 14K with the .734" bore instead of the smaller .685-9"

That is pretty good advice Kiltie. But be careful when buying a cheap Sousa. The seller might not be a player and there could be issues unknown to the seller and you could end up paying lots of money to repair these items.

In my opinion, if you buy an uber cheap beat up horn, you can expect that it will probably need a professional cleaning, new felts, springs and corks and a valve alignment to get it playing.

14K's after 1986 are King 2350's. They have a .687" bore and are stencils of the King. They are still good Sousas. I like all of the listed models, but think that I prefer the King. I think I like it better because it is easier to push the .687" bore...