Jupiter 696L Sousa any good?

[jagerboy]

I have the opportunity to purchase a relatively new and unused Bb JP-696L that I would use instead of my Eb Besson Sovereign for some festival, and not too highbrow gigs. On the face of it, it seems to tick all the boxes - brass bell (nice ping), semi-fibreglass body (minimum wieght), and second hand price. But as I've never used a sousa before - they're not very common here (Ireland) - I've nothing to benchmark it to. I have been looking to buy a sousa for a couple of months now, and this seems to be the best value (considering shipping, tax, etc). I'll probably use it about 20 times a year, and have my ultra-reliable (and recently refurbished) late 80's Sovereign for serious gigs, so it won't take too much of a bashing. Obviously, if I had the choice I'd go for a King or a Conn or something, or at least try a bunch of them out, but that's not possible in this scenario.

Has anyone ever played one? Will it pass the test of time if I look after it, or am I buying into a future expensive paperweight? Anything else I should be aware of before I purchase a sousa in general?

Thanks for your help!

Gav.

[IOS]

The Jupiter 696 is my sousaphone of choice for outdoor playing where projection is essential. I have gone through a number sousaphones over the past few years including a Yamaha, King, Conn, and Holton in addition to the Jupiter and settled on the Jupiter JP-696. It has a very compact sound that projects well in Dixieland, Jazz, and German Band settings. The comments on the thin metal on the bell is just not correct. The gauge of the metal on the bell is no different than one finds on the newer Kings (2350) and Conns (20K). I owned and extensively played each of these and the Jupiter is my preferred (and now) only sousaphone.

Additionally, the intonation is very good and, more importantly for me in the outdoor settings where there is a great deal of ambient noise that sometimes makes hearing difficult, the notes slot exceptionally well.

[jagerboy]

Thank you both for your replies.
I should add that when I'll be playing, I'll be playing into a microphone, so no REAL need to blast - fat sousa sound is desireable, however. Also, and most importantly, intonation/tuning will be a very important factor in my decision whether or not to buy the instrument.

[jagerboy]

Thanks Bloke,
I knew I'd get that insider information on tubenet! Your idea is indeed sound (especially when you live in the US!), and I will/do keep an eye on ebay. Generally, any sousas that will ship at a reasonable price to Ireland would come from the UK or Germany, and usually all that comes up are cheap Indian brands and refurbs. My admitted ignorance of the sousa world notwithstanding, I am somewhat aware that King is the preference for many.
The search goes on!
Gav.

[iiipopes]

What bloke said. If you're considering a Jupiter, get the King on which it is based (pun intended)

Thin metal: they may have changed in the last couple of years, but a few years ago, the regional university ordered a (pick your collective noun) of sousaphones. I happened to be early to community band rehearsal when they were being unpacked.

I WATCHED WITH MY OWN EYES as the persons, all music department people and knowing the proper care and feeding of souzys, DENTED THE BUGLES with their BARE HANDS as they unpacked them.

Now, that is thin. They also sounded buzzy and devoid of any real tone with the paperweights, er, mouthpieces supplied. The only person I ever heard get a real tone out of one was using a Schilke HBII. Any shallower cup just fizzed out.

[jagerboy]

Thanks for that input. I'll be sure to look closely at the quality of the bell if/when I try out the horn. I'll be bringing along the biggest mouthpiece I own, so hopefully it'll produce a decent sound.

[jagerboy]

Ha! Thanks for that.
(Now I'm more confused than I was before I started this discussion!)