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Happy Tuba Tuesday. The Museum features a Conn, 38K, BB flat sousaphone, 3 piston, 1926.

Serial #: 236509

Bell Diameter 24”, Bore Size .750.

Comments:

“SOUSAPHONE / MADE BY / C.G. CONN Ltd. / ELKHART-IND / USA” on bell. Floral engraving on bell.



https://simonettitubacollection.com/ins ... ousaphone/

Hmmm. The 38K I had the use of some years ago had the same bore and valve block as the rest of the then-standard Conn souzy line: .734. I measured it.

I was also going to point out 24" bell seemed a little on the small side. Between that and the large bore, this sounds like a fun sousa!

humBell wrote: Tue Sep 16, 2025 10:15 am I was also going to point out 24" bell seemed a little on the small side. Between that and the large bore, this sounds like a fun sousa!

The 24-inch bell, in addition to the .734 valve block, was standard for a 38K. The one I played also had the 24-inch bell. Gold wash on the inside of the bell was an option which the one I played did not have. But Oh, the tone! It was as close to the "Voice of God" as it gets. The fundamental was so strong that when I played it indoors, at only mezzo-forte volume it rattled the rafters and floor joists! The transition from low F 1+3 to privilege tone open Eb was seamless with no graininess, all the way down to true pedal BBb. Intonation was superlative. The only drawback was its 35+ pounds weight. Even with the shoulder flange to spread the load, it finally got too heavy for me to play without discomfort and multiple chiropractor appointments. More information is available at the Conn Loyalist, https://cderksen.home.xs4all.nl/ConnBass.html