Adding a 4th valve to a Conn sousa

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:12 pm

I've started another 'project' horn. This time it's an old Conn BBb sousa that will likely end up as a convertible with maybe three bells... 1) a straight bell as a helicon, 2) a regular sousa bell, 3) and a 'raincatcher' style of bell. It's gonna take some doin' to fashion the couplings for the bells. A few photos are on my 'projects' page at:

http://members.evansville.net/dschultz/projects.htm

Benjamin · Post by **Benjamin** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:33 pm

Dude, I've allways talked to my other Tuba playing friends. (Who hate the 4th valve may I add.) About adding a 4th valve to a sousaphone. With your promission can I copy the procedures you did on your page?
Benjamin.

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:47 pm

Benjamin wrote:Dude, I've allways talked to my other Tuba playing friends. (Who hate the 4th valve may I add.) About adding a 4th valve to a sousaphone. With your promission can I copy the procedures you did on your page? Benjamin.

Sure! Feel free to use my pictures any way you like. If you want more images or have questions, don't hesitate to ask. I don't know if my approach is 'standard' or not as I tend to work with the parts that I have. Some say a 4th valve on a sousa is a waste of money. Maybe it is

It's just that most of my horns are 4V horns (Eb and BBb) and I am totally used to them. My pinky needs something to do

Benjamin · Post by **Benjamin** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:54 pm

Thanks, I plan on buying a sosaphone one day. (Probly a few years down the road.) And now I can add a 4th valve. (Once I become more mechinally inclined. LOL) I know what you mean about the pinky. I liked 4 valve horns too.
Benjamin.

Lew · Post by **Lew** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:44 am

harold wrote:Dan,

Not that I don't appreciate your work, but why didn't you start with a four valve Sousaphone? You can find one of those for about $700.00

Where can you find a 4 valve Conn or equivalent brand sousaphone for $700? I'd love to find one for that.

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:54 pm

harold wrote:Dan,

Not that I don't appreciate your work, but why didn't you start with a four valve Sousaphone? You can find one of those for about $700.00

Very simple, Harold. 1) I know of no such thing as a 4V Conn sousa for $700 that has this particular valveset that has all the valves in good condition. 2) Why would I want to spend $700 when I have the personal time and parts available to custom-build exactly what I want? Besides, IF there was a $700 4V set around, that would translate into twice that amount by the time it was rebuilt and installed. 3) I view each of my 'projects' and custom work as a chance to learn and hone my skills. 4) Just because! There aren't very many guys around the world doing custom work like this.... maybe a dozen or so at the most. 5) MOST repairmen are confined to working in shops that are totally wrapped up in extracting dollars from schools in order to feed their families. I don't do very much of the 'beat it back into shape and put in back on the field' work and thouroughly enjoy being able to take the time to actually create something other that just replacing a few parts.

This is kinda like the nuts who climb mountains. They say they climb mountains 'because they are there'. I think mountain climbing is rather foolish but think nothing of spending day and night in my shop (sometimes only earning $5 an hour) in order to learn a new skill or technique.

dmmorris · Post by **dmmorris** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:33 pm

I would like to score on one of those $700 4-valve sousaphones also!.....please!

-dmm

tubafour · Post by **tubafour** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:30 pm

I would love playing sousaphone, if only mine had a fourth valve. I've always thought that must be the most useful thing to come along since sliced bread.

TubaTinker, I'll give you $1000 for that horn when it's done, and $1200 if you'll gold plate it and bring it to me. Hate to throw away money, but I'd like to do you the favor of removing an odd 4-valve sousaphone from your collection.

...Speaking of 4-valvers......has anyone played the Jupiter "Quad-Valve University Model" Sousaphone? I thought the idea sounded great, but honestly don't know if I would trust a Jupiter.

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 12:09 am

HeliconMan wrote:Doc,
If you can pony up $1100, Robb Stewart has a 1924 Conn 28K E flat sousa for sale with a case. Here's a link to his webpage:

http://www.geocities.com/oldbrass1/price.html

Good luck out there!

Paul

There ya go, Doc

That didn't take long, did it

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Sat Mar 19, 2005 3:13 pm

Doc wrote:That's a lot more than what I've seen them sell for. It would have to be absolutely mint, and I'd have to come up with the dough. Doc

I agree. None of the 4V EEb sousas I've had in the last couple of years required near that kind of investment.

As for your 2nd question... adding a 4th valve to a Conn Eb front-action tuba would be worth the effort and not much different that adding the 4th valve to a Conn sousa. The valvesets of front-action horns and those found on sousas are virtually the same. That's one reason why my current 'Frankenhelicon' project interests me... if I decide to scrap the helicon/raincatcher/sousa thing, I will still have a valveset that will very easily transfer to a 'monster' front-action body. Parts is parts! Building workable horns out of my 'junkbox' is both entertaining and good experience. This is my first shot at building a 4V valveset. I had Sam Gnagy add a 4th piston to one of my King Eb 'monsters' a couple of years ago and it has been well worth the investment.