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Thread: Identifying a sousaphone

  1. Identifying a sousaphone

    Hi, I recently bought a sousaphone, but have no idea what brand it is, or roughly how old it is. The person I bought it from had no idea either. The only thing which I know about it is that it has metric thread (according to the guy that serviced it - he had no other clues...)

    So, here are some pics. If any one has any ideas, I am open to any clues!

    Please let me know if there are other images I should take that may help - covered most of the beast, except for the bell section which seemed pretty non-descript (to my un-trained eye...)

    Thanks in advance

    Here goes:

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  2. #2
    Join Date
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    I'd vote for a Hawkes & Son, pre Boosey merger.

    Brit.

    DDG

  3. Thanks for the info. What leads you to think that? Any ideas where I might find a serial number? Or any other info? I can only find markings on the valves...

  4. #4
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    The wrap & fittings look familiar.

    No clue where the S/N on a Sousa like that would be.

    Dennis

  5. Sounds fair enough to me Do you know of any images I can see that may help?

    Well, it certainly smelt that old when I got it...

  6. #6
    Try http://www.horn-u-copia.net/ They have images for one Hawkes sousaphone - Carroll

  7. Thanks Carroll. Can't see much detail on that one unfortunately

    I did notice an anchor symbol on mine, on the middle valve... any clues?

    The numbers on the valves are:

    16 17 18

    3

    What might that mean?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
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    16-et al: The numbers were from the assembly time. As they were honed in, the valves & casings were match numbered.

    Easy to mix 'em up doing large production runs.

    Dennis

  9. Thanks Why not use 1-2-3? 16 seems a strange number to start on is all... Or, is that a range for that model? e.g. 13-14-15 may be for a B-flat model or something?

    Didn't think they would reveal much... sigh...

  10. #10
    A farther away shot to look at the valve tubing design would be helpful. The bracing and valve caps are the same as an early York or Frank Holton horns. The tubenet folks would be able to tell you right away what this is. By the way, your neck is not fitting all the way into receiver. Does it go in all the way? Maybe you have the wrong neck for this horn. Usually there is something on the bell to help identify the maker. Look very closely because it sometimes is very faint from wear or tarnish. You might try cleaning the outside of the bell with silver polish to see if something comes out.

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