Buying a sousaphone. advice please?

[tclements]

DON'T DO IT!!!!

[toobagrowl]

^ That repeated riff is in B natural, so those are F#s, not F naturals. There were other notes more "funky" pitch-wise than the F#s. I have noticed this with many sousaphone and tuba recordings - lack of "pitch center" especially with bigger horns with fatter sounds. The trumpet teacher at my college years ago addressed this "issue" at one of my juries. I think I have greatly improved on it since; especially after graduation

Anyway, you can't go wrong with any of the sousaphones listed here; they are all good. Just really depends on what type of sound and playing characteristics (and weight) you are after.

[Bubba Blasen]

I remember the Treme band from when I worked some in NO @20 years ago. At that time the sousaphone player was "Big Al" Carson, who was so huge that the full sized sousaphone looked like a toy when he had it on....
Good player...

Best, Bubba

[dxnmrl]

I remember the Treme band from when I worked some in NO @20 years ago. At that time the sousaphone player was "Big Al" Carson, who was so huge that the full sized sousaphone looked like a toy when he had it on....
Good player...

Best, Bubba

fwiw, big al doesn't play horn any more (that i'm aware). but he *does* have a regular gig on bourbon street singin' with his blues band.

[Monty]

Hi all- just bumping my thread to ask another question- Ive looked around and, aside from not being able to play any of the horns Im interested in, have found an old Pan American- Any opinions on this model (notice no one brought that up- thats why Im asking)
Probably getting a Conn 14k- but I like the finish on the Panamerican.

[SousaSaver]

Post some pictures and we can help you identify it.