Sousaphone shopping while travelling to the US.

[sticky_valve]

I am very excited to be travelling from Australia to the US (and Canada) with my wife next month (November) for a few weeks.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on some music stores in the cities we are visiting that may have a range of decent pre-loved sousas in store?

Our stops are:
- New Orleans
- New York
- Toronto
- Los Angeles.

I enjoy playing trad jazz and have recording bell reynolds tuba that works great, however would potentially like a sousa for stand-up stuff. Also, in case ou were wondering there are next to zero horns around home which is the reson for my enquiry.

I've read previous posts on here about flying with sousa's, I'm not sure at this stage if I'd consider checking-in a sousa as baggage for the flight home.

However if I do get a chance to at least test a few horns I will:
1) Know if I really want a sousa.
2) Have an idea on what models play better / worked well for me.
3) Weigh up the associated costs to ship one home / and repairs for damage in transit encountered.

I am mindful that there are many sponsors on this site, however none appear to be located where I will be (please correct me if my geography is wrong!). I am happy to receive PM's instead of posts for the reason.

We are flying from city to city and won't be able to deviate to far from our destinations (no car hire).

Thank you in advance.

[David Richoux]

I don't have any "inventory lists" of good used Sousaphone availability in those 4 cities, but both New Orleans and Los Angeles have a heavy local demand for them - you might have better luck in New York (and I have no idea about Toronto.)
Try Jonathan Baltimore Music 151 W 46th St 2nd Fl (between 7th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas) jonbaltimoremusic.com - I was there a few years ago and they had some pretty interesting used stuff then. Don't recall if they had any Sousaphones.

In LA, try contacting Robb Stewart - he is a local expert on old brass. robbstewart.com/‎

Good Hunting!

[Jose the tuba player]

.

[royjohn]

If you're willing to chase around a little and buy from a private individual, you should check Craigslist in the cities you'll visit. Checking the ones you listed I found one souzy in NOLA, one in NYC and none in Toronto. There were about five in areas around LA. It is never easy to get around in LA, but you might be able to find a way to get with some of the folks who have souzies for sale there. Souzies and tubas are a bit more available here in the US, but not on every corner. You might consider whether you have the time, while here, to chase around looking for one and then, if found, get it crated and shipped. Unless you are very lucky (getting around in the NYC area is not too difficult by public transport), you might have to rent a car for a day to reach people or stores with horns available. considering the time you'd be spending and the price of a horn plus shipping back home, a hundred bucks for a car rental does not seem unreasonable to me.

With the availability problems you have back home, I might consider a Chinese souzy if I didn't find anything favorably priced here. Check the threads discussing them.

[sousaphone68]

I don't have a suggestion sorry but my reading of the post is that he would like to try playing a couple of sousaphones while visiting this time to see what models work for him and if the sound matches his expectations.

Sticky valve your best bet for a playing experience is in which ever town you have a relation with a car. Bring a couple of mouthpieces with you and see what community bands are on the internet in those towns and drop them an email for an invite to play.

I bought my sousa from eBay from a seller in Virginia and it survived an Atlantic crossing as air freight in its hard case.
It can be done if you get the right seller.

[Z-Tuba Dude]

While I have never done it, I understand that Dillon's Music, in Woodbridge, NJ, is easily accessable by rail, from New York City.

Perhaps someone who has made that trip can chime in!

[bort]

While I have never done it, I understand that Dillon's Music, in Woodbridge, NJ, is easily accessable by rail, from New York City.

Perhaps someone who has made that trip can chime in!

Suggestion -- make this a "solo" day for you and your wife. The trip and visit are going to take most of your day, and unless she's really into music the same way you are, she's probably not going to have much fun taking a train ride to northern New Jersey. The town of Woodbridge is okay, but not exactly a destination from Australia, if you know what I mean. Also, you should call before you go, to make sure there are actually some sousaphones there in stock. There are always tubas, but not sure about sousaphones.

Jon Baltimore music is a very small, but moderately interesting place. The last time I was there was for some emergency repair work (it's right next to my wife's office). It's mostly saxes and trumpets, and seems like a hangout for a bunch of old jazzers. At least at one time, he had a few tubas in his shop, which were nice instruments but VERY overpriced. Not sure about sousaphones, but at least this shop is an easy visit in midtown.

[Heavy_Metal]

You can also take a bit longer train ride and visit BBC.

You'd pretty much need to rent a car to do that, and you'd probably need an international driver's license to do so. The Amtrak station is deep in the city and Baltimore Brass is out in Catonsville. It would be easier to fly in, since BWI Airport is not far from BBC and you could just take a taxi from there. Southwest usually has good fares, and flies out of LaGuardia, Long Island/Islip and Newark, NJ airports.

BBC's tuba listings are here: http://www.baltimorebrass.net/index.php?cat=5" target="_blank

If you go, tell them the TubeNetters sent you. Enjoy your trip!

[bort]

Amtrak stops at BWI as well, so train + taxi could still be an option. It would be expensive, take a long time, and it would be a hassle... I wouldn't suggest trying it, but it IS possible.

[royjohn]

The train to Woodbridge, NJ (Dillon Music) leaves NYC from Penn Station, which is reachable from about anywhere in NYC by subway. However, when I looked at the website, they only had one used sousaphone in stock. New ones are apparently about $6K and they show several of those on their website. If you were thinking of visiting, a call to Matt Walters might be in order, as they may have instruments which are not listed on the website. Might be a fun trip anyway, as there are a number of used tubas to toot on. As I think someone already mentioned, the store is within sight of the train station, maybe a two minute walk. Great folks there, very brass-knowledgeable.

I think the idea of attending a community band rehearsal is a great one. Musicians everywhere love to share their instruments and talk equipment. You might even consider calling someone at a University music department. Most all the colleges with athletic teams have bands with sousaphones. Every time I have cold called a music faculty member in my town, they have been very helpful. Have a great trip!!!

[sticky_valve]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the well wishes, leads and great ideas provided so far. Much appreciated.

I will most certainly pack a couple of mouthpieces for the trip.

Mark.

[Heavy_Metal]

Amtrak stops at BWI as well.

Not all their trains do.... but MARC does and I think you could transfer at Penn Station if needed.

The last time I looked, Southwest was cheaper than Amtrak, and took less time even if you figure in those long, slow BWI security lines.