Identifying a Sousaphone So's I Can Play It

[Donn]

Sometimes, I think I must be posting in white text...

Well, sorry! - help us out - where did you say something that could hint at a clue to the date of manufacture? The most I can see from you in black print is "nothing like Buescher" and "I believe it to be domestic." Maybe I have not captured the intent of your elusive utterance.

[Donn]

But it's 10 times as bizarre if it came from Conn, isn't it? I mean, why would they have done that, and evidently in very small production since no one's ever seen one, for a stencil?

On the other hand, there must have been at least a couple times in the history of musical instrument design, when inconsequential details were copied from someone else rather than designed from scratch.

To me it screams "check valve alignment!" but maybe that's just the picture. For those who hear "Conn!", is it saying anything about the time frame?

[T-Roy]

To me it screams "check valve alignment!" but maybe that's just the picture. For those who hear "Conn!", is it saying anything about the time frame?

Ha! It is not just the picture! She's got issues! I had to use considerable force to get the stem(?) Of the third valve straight enough to allow full motion.

My measurements indicated that the Conn mouthpipe was the closest to a perfect fit. She might have some Conn genes.

[T-Roy]

It would be interesting to hear whether those TOP caps can be screwed on to the BOTTOM threads (i.e. same casing threads: top and bottom)

The top and bottom caps are interchangeable and appear to be the exact same part.

It would also be interesting to hear whether some nearby school's old run-of-the-mill Elkhart, Indiana Conn 36K fiberglass or 14K brass sousaphone's caps fit your instrument.

I neither have nor desire access to schools.

Do you own some inexpensive calipers whereby the 1-2-3 slide bore can be measured?

I don't, but I will try to borrow some.

[T-Roy]

Also, it's an instrument:
https://vine.co/v/iE769AbD3mK" target="_blank"

[harrell]

It looks like a small bore Conn. If it is, those are great horns. I like those better than the modern 20K. The valves and the curvature of the tubing coming of the valve set look Conn.

[tubasaz]

Possibly more "Conn genes" (please check attached image):

conngenes1.jpg

Looks quite same?

[T-Roy]

Buescher and Conn shared parts.

Of course they did. Sheesh!