Holton Sousaphone With Buescher Short Action Valves

[PRO]

This is in regard to the Holton-Buescher sousaphone with short-action valves (currently on eBay, item #330555945223).

The seller reports to me that the valve stroke is 15 mm. (He did not report measurement error.) Thus, the Buescher design is comparable to Conn short-action valve design, which are typically 15-16-17 mm after valve alignment.

The seller misreported the patent number. The actual patent number is 1,601,555.
The patent is available online at http://www.google.com/patents/about?id= ... dq=1601555" target="_blank" target="_blank. The patent drawings make it easy to understand the design. As you can see, the patent date is indeed Sep 28, 1926, as also marked on the horn.

I suspect this is a Holton-built instrument using the Buescher valve design. (Just my guess, mind you!)

Both the Buescher and Conn designs rely on constancy of cross-sectional area of the tubing through the valve cluster.

I am awaiting seller response regarding the weight of the instrument.

For this and other interesting patents, see http://www.horn-u-copia.net/patents.php" target="_blank" target="_blank.

Paul R. Ogushwitz, Ph.D.