Sousaphone replacement

[Gilly]

Hi all,

The time has come for the band's sousaphones (Yamaha Lacquer All Brass Bb's) to be replaced. They both have served the band extremely well since purchased in 1997 with apart from regular parade/pageant work, have endured four international tours to UK & Europe. We are not in a position to 'try before we buy'.

Since this is the only model I have experienced, I would welcome any advice regarding what else is out there & should be considered. From brief research, the Conn 20K seems to get generally very positive comments especially in terms on general intonation & evenness of sound throughout the range.

Any suggestions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers

[Ace]

There are some very skilled repair persons on this board. I wonder what the cost of overhauling your Yamahas might be, compared to buying new Sousaphones? Just a thought.

Ace

[MikeMason]

Nah,they're prolly "roted out"

[The Big Ben]

Hi all,

The time has come for the band's sousaphones (Yamaha Lacquer All Brass Bb's) to be replaced. They both have served the band extremely well since purchased in 1997 with apart from regular parade/pageant work, have endured four international tours to UK & Europe. We are not in a position to 'try before we buy'.

I kind of go with Bloke on the refurbishing of the horns you have if you have a repair source which would make it a good value. However, if you don't have someone to do the refurbishment at a reasonable price (or your funding source will go for new instruments but not the cost to repair the old ones- that story has been told here on TubeNet), getting new instruments would be the way to go.

Since you have gotten good service out of your Yamahas, what reasons (including cost and availability) do you have for changing brands? Buying a set of those would seem to be a "sure thing".

[Lew]

It is unfortunate that there doesn't seem to be even one brand of well made sousaphones on the market today. OK, the ones that are available may play alright, but there isn't one that will last as long or even play as well as the Conns, Kings, Bueschers, or Yorks made nearly 100 years ago. I guess since there is not much demand for "professional" sousaphones, if any there isn't money to be made by making them to last, but it does seem sad. Not that I would give up my 1920s vintage Conn 40K and 28K, but it would be nice to know that if I needed to buy their equivalents I could.

[SousaSaver]

It is unfortunate that there doesn't seem to be even one brand of well made sousaphones on the market today. OK, the ones that are available may play alright, but there isn't one that will last as long or even play as well as the Conns, Kings, Bueschers, or Yorks made nearly 100 years ago. I guess since there is not much demand for "professional" sousaphones, if any there isn't money to be made by making them to last, but it does seem sad. Not that I would give up my 1920s vintage Conn 40K and 28K, but it would be nice to know that if I needed to buy their equivalents I could.

Conn 20K and King 2350 are great new Sousas.

[Gilly]

Hi all,

Thanks for all your input so far.

FYI, this is a pro band where the equipment we use has a 'shelf life' and needs to be replaced when that time has elapsed. This is due to a government policy therefore there is no consideration given to the repair/refurbishment concept. The current Yamaha sousaphones are still very serviceable (apart from many battle scars) however they will be replaced.

Myself & the other tuba player would be happy to replace with the same again, but I would just like your thoughts on any other models to consider. What we eventually decide on will be purchased unseen & unplayed.

Thanks again.

Cheers

[toobagrowl]

For a new souzy, my choice would be a King 2350. Good even pitch & response, sweet sound and well built:

http://www.musiciansbuy.com/king-sousaphones.html" target="_blank

[iiipopes]

The truth is this:

The best sousaphones ever made have already been made.

+1

[sousaphone68]

What will happen to the retiring sousaphones?
I am still getting good service from my 1953 26K

[Ken Herrick]

Gilly,

PM me (my email has changed) - I'll get to a reply later - with your contact details. In the mean time I'll have a chat with a couple people and see what I might be able to organise. I'm in Qld - outside Brisbane. Might be able to work up something to suit everybody.

Ken