What to do with a "clunker" Eb sousaphone?

[Donn]

Another thing that might bear some looking at is the leadpipe and tuning bits apparatus. If any of the joints leak at all, that would be bad. I don't know if there's any way to spot a leak, but you can take it apart and seal with teflon plumbing tape or something and see if you notice any difference.

[Dan Schultz]

I have to recant a little here....

'Windshieldbug' pointed out to me that York serial numbers do not run up to 600,000... at least not on any published lists. I mis-read your post to read 60,000 and completely overlooked the fact that you menioned that this horn is a York 'Artist' series. Maybe Klaus can shed some light on the York 'Master' and 'Artist' series of horns.

Sorry

[Jeff Miller]

Dude, if you like it, just keep playing it with other people until you figure out its personality and how it needs to be treated.

My Eb sousaphone is TERRIBLE, but everytime I use it, my colleagues love it!