Posted by Rob Perelli-Minetti on February 08, 2000 at 17:31:38:
In Reply to: Conn 40K sousaphone? posted by Klaus Bjerre on February 08, 2000 at 10:21:48:
The 40K was the four valve version of the old 36K (not the modern 36K), which was a 3 vavle large bore horn (.734) with normal (long) stroke valves which was made from the 20's through the early 30s. There was also a 32K, which was the same bore & size as the 36K, but somehow was a couple of pounds lighter than the 36K.
The 36K (old) was replaced in the mid-1930's by the 20K, which introduced the short stroke, offset valves which characterized the 2XJ [20J 3v top action, recording bell), (21J 3v top action, upright bell), (22J 3v front action recording bell) (?23J 3v frontaction upright bell) (24J 4valve top action recording bell), (25J top action 4v upright bell) (?26J front action recordingt bell) (?27J 4v front action uprightg bell) series of tubas and 2XK (20K 3 valve)(?24K 4valve) sousaphones.
According to old Conn literature a 40K would have a 26" bell, although there is some indication the 32K could be had with a 24" or 26" bell. If you have a 40K, the model number should be on both the base of the bell and the bell throat collar. [I have seen a horn marked 22K (looked like a 20K, but seemed lighter, was this a 32K equivalent?) with a bell marked 20K.]