Thomann 4 valve Bb sousa

[PaulTkachenko]

Hi folks,

I just ordered one of these.

Spec is the same as the 3 valve Thomann sousa, which seems to be essentially a King rip-off, which is what I'm after. But with 4 valves ... The false low Eb on my fibreglass horn just wasn't cutting it for me ...

Price includes a decent (looking) flight case with wheels.

I have high hopes - and will report back.

[Doc]

Looking forward to reading your review.

[PaulTkachenko]

Paul at Rosehill had a Thomann sousa in with a case and the thought it was alright ... anyway, it's got a 30 day money back guarantee on it, so I don't have to keep it if it sucks.

Detailed picks of the fibreglass can be seen here:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomannsousaph ... erglas.htm

Case looks pretty decent - certainly can't argue with the price.

[PaulTkachenko]

Well, it arrived today and I only had a chance for a quick blow ...

Not great for the money, I'd say ...

In common with all Jin Bao sousa (so it seems) the lead pipe is far too long to be comfortable.

The main manufacturing 'gaff' was that the bell is a poor fit in the receiver.

Also the mouthpiece didn't go in far enough as the receiver wasn't deep enough.

It blew a little sharp at the octave, but nothing that can't be lipped and tamed.

The case however, is excellent and has a few things that are better than the older SKB I currently have - good padding, and lots of fastenings.

The bell is 26, but it's considerably bigger at that point than my King.

This begs the question - why didn't they copy a good design?

I'm going to take advantage of Thomann's 30 day money back guarantee.

I'll try and take some pictures and post them ...

Anyone want to sell me a nice sousa?

I'm in the UK though ...

[bloke]

If you have an American-made fiberglass sousaphone, has it occurred to you to just acquire a (nice-looking, I'd imagine) same-brass brass bell to fit it? A brass bell will make a sister-model fiberglass sousaphone sound (95%) like the full brass version (imo).

I for one am not a fan of brass sousaphones (unless it comes to selling them). I went to a great deal of trouble and expense to "soup up" a 1970's Conn (Elkhart production) model 36K with a (1920's Conn Elkhart production) 4-piston valveset. I do not like the after-ring in the sound and nor do I like the weight involved with (vintage, or Jupiter, for that matter) brass sousaphones.

[Neptune]

Paul, The sousaphone we stock at Wessex Tubas based on the 20K with short action valves is much better. You are welcome to come down to Andover to try - we currently have two in stock.

http://www.wessex-tubas.co.uk/products/sousaphone

[Neptune]

This begs the question - why didn't they copy a good design?

Chinese factories produce what design dealers pay them to make. I understand a South American dealer initiated that 4-valve sousaphone

[PaulTkachenko]

I know ... I sent Robin to you to buy it

[PaulTkachenko]

Who's got a King 26" bell for me then - any pointers?

I could have it relaquered over here, so long as it isn't too creased.

[bloke]

bloke's opinions (no one else's)

- The highest quality sousaphones (found in any sort of quantity/selection) are vintage Conn, King, and Olds/Reynolds American-made sousaphones (individual selection according to individual tastes).
- Next below these are currently-made American sousaphones (King/Conn - thin metal).
- Next are vintage Selmer USA (knock-off of Conn 32K/14K/36K) and Holton.
- Next are Yamaha (very expensive, large size, not a very nice quality of sound or projection, imo)
- Behind these are probably Weril (Dynasty) - Brazil.
- Next are the Chinese short-action sousaphones (now getting into "value vs. quality").
- After these are Jupiter (again, "value vs. quality").
- Next are the other Chinese sousaphones (small bore, odd designs).
- Finally are the India things.

I may have forgotten some. "Real" 1920's (etc.) Buescher (not Selmer U.S.A.) sousaphones are fairly rare. I would consider them micro-production" - leaving them off the list. I left rarely-seen (including Besson/London, J.W. York & Sons, B&M Symphonic York, Italian makes, very early U.S. companies such as J.W. Pepper- etc., and other) makes off the list.

[tooba]

The only new 4-valve sousaphones (besides the Thomann) are the Jupiter 590 "University Quad", and the Dynasty M890 Anyone notice that the Jupiter sousaphones are almost as expensive as the King sousaphones and that the Dynasty, Weril, and Yamaha brass sousaphones are every bit as expensive - if not more - than a new Conn 20k?

http://www.music123.com/sousaphones

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=sousaphone&_sacat=0&_odkw=sousaphone&_osacat=159944

There is the RARE old Conn or King 4v BBb souzy that pops up on eBay ever once in a great while. I believe there was an old Buescher 4v BBb souzy on there not long ago, and there was a slew of old 3v Conn, King and Signet fiberglass and brass sousaphones that all sold over the past few days. There are a couple 4v Eb souzys up now.

People are willing to buy these old souzys, fix them up, and buy parts for them because they play & sound good and are well made

[PaulTkachenko]

So, if anyone spots a King brass bell in half decent condition ... Let me know.

Cheers,

Paul