Sousaphones

[timr06]

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What is the best quality sousaphone to use in a marching band?

[iiipopes]

The best sousaphones are the pre-cyborg Conn 14K & 20K and King 2350. Unfortunately, Conn does not make the 14K anymore, and the Conn 36K and King 2750 fiberglass sousaphones are the same instrument, just with a different decal on the bell depending on who ordered what as it comes down the assembly line.

As you can see by my signature, I'll play an older refurbished sousaphone well before I'll play any new one. On all the new ones, irrespective of brand, the metal is as thin as paper and dents if you look at it, and the tone is harsh as a result. The older ones may need a lot of reconditioning, including a valve job, but to get better tone and longetivity overall it is worth it.

[NCoumos]

I once played an old King 4 valve that weighed a ton but had great tone and was in tune. Mirafone made some nice 4 valved sousas that I believe were used by the U S Army Field Band. I played one of those horns also. I can't remember if they were CC or BBb. Very well put together, very well in tune as I remember. Your chances of getting one of those horns would be slim however if the policy of the Army is still the same as I remember. When a horn is no longer usable it is destroyed. Unfortunately no longer usable for the U S Army Premier Bands might mean the lacquer is worn. I hate all fiberglass horns because they don't feel right but truth be told, they perform very well for their purpose. I also love 4 valved sousas because they play closer in tune. It is difficult to move slides on the go. I would rather carry the weight of the forth valve tubing than struggle to play the c's in tune. (If it is not too far).

[TubaJohn20j]

The older Conn 20K's and 14K's are the best to use and the most popular to find for sale. If you are going to buy new sousaphones, Conn 20K is the way to go.