Antique Musical Instruments/Frank Holton Sousaphone

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Expert: - 9/20/2006


Question
I have a quad-valve Frank Holton & Company sousaphone
serial #33949.  Can you tell me anything about this instrument....is it listed as a Bb flat or an E flat
sousaphone?  There are no markings on it to indicate either.  Please help!

Answer
Hi Dave,

Your horn was made in 1916.  I could tell you if it is an Eb or a BBb if I could see it.  Usually, the Eb sousaphones have a false piece of tubing to complete the circle around the body.  But, Holton did have one that was an Eb but still made the complete circle.  Usually BBbs have a double loop of tubing around the body.  

You could compare with some of the examples on here:  http://www.horn-u-copia.net/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1114644997  Or you could send me pictures at Kenton@PunxyPa.com.  

Antique Musical Instruments

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Kenton Scott

Expertise

Please note: My area is BRASS instruments, not other wind, string or percussion instruments. I will provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. 1) Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site. 2) I am often asked very similar questions, so I'd invite you to first check on Horn-u-Copia.net. Much of the information I have garnered about this topic, I have posted on this WEB site.

Experience

I perform in several historical bands, have informally researched the area, repair brass instruments, and operate a Forum dedicated to the topic at http://horn-u-copia.net

Education/Credentials
B.S. Ed, M.S.

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