Expert: Kenton Scott - 1/16/2008

Question
QUESTION: Mr. Scott,
I have a 1941-1945 model Reynolds Sousaphone that appears to be in very good shape.  I'm fairly sure that it was made in early '41-'42 because the serial number is 4861 and it has a U.S. stamp on the rim of the bell.  I believe these were mad for the USAAF during WWII starting with serial number 4000.  My question is:  Do I have a BBb or Eb horn?  Also, is there any value in this horn?  It looks small to my eye which leads me to believe it is Eb. It has 4 valves and the lead pipe makes a long trip up towards the bell before coming back down and entering the 4th valve.  

Thanks,
Wes Locke

ANSWER: Does your horn look similar to this one?

http://www.horn-u-copia.net/instruments/Reynolds/Reynolds-sousa-Eb-4v.jpg

It is a Reynolds Eb 4 valve sousaphone.  A 4 valve Eb sousa will draw more interest than a 3 valve Eb.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Looks very similar, but the lead pipe on the one I have raps up to nearly touch your shoulder when you "put it on".  Do you know what the finish is on these old Reynolds horns?  I'd like to clean it up but I don't want to use the wrong thing and mess up the finish.  It is very tarnished at the moment but I think it will clean up.

Thanks for your help!
Wes

Answer
If it is tarnished, I would presume that it is silverplate. So, to clean up silverplate, I use a three step process. I get the worst off with Tarnx, next I use Blue Magic to get it looking pretty good, and then finish it off with Haggerty's silver polish.  Strips of cloth to wrap around the tubing also helps get into difficult to access areas.  It should clean up nicely.