Posted by K on November 09, 2003 at 18:06:33:
In Reply to: Re: sousaphone body / helicon? posted by You would be better on November 09, 2003 at 16:51:46:
I agree wholeheartedly with Joe on the qualities of Conn 40K body. My York Master 4FP BF BBb tuba is very good, but my 40K has this indefinite extra to its sound.
However I disagree with Joe, that it would be a good idea to convert a 40K into a helicon.
I am very well aware that Joe had very good results in converting a York Eb sousaphone into a "fake" York helicon (quoting the index for my brass instruments' galleries):
Thumbnails of a custom York helicon with detachable bell made out of a York Eb sousaphone and a York Eb tuba bell by Joseph Sellmansberger in 2001:
http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/yorkmasterpublicphotos20/lst?&.dir=/York+custom+Eb+helicon+w+detachable+bell
But there are three factors in that equation, which should be considered:
Joe by all counts is a repairman extraordinaire. Even more so when his wife allows him to invest himself in one of his pet projects (which was the case in this context).
Joe may not have run the audition game to a level satisfying someone julienned sufficiently to be accepted as ingredient of an upscale juilliard consommé. But people, who have reported on hearing Joe play tuba, tell, that they have had to pick their lower jaws up from the floor after that experience.
Joe took a York sousa body and added a period York bell to it. He has reported on the problems of that process:
http://www.chisham.com/tips/bbs/apr2001/messages/52438.html
I have a strong belief, that not only Joe's meticulous accuracy in the fitting contributed to the success of the process. In my eyes/ears an equally important factor has been the match in the composition, strength, and treatment of the brass in the body and bell.
The 40K body is very heavy (as in extremely heavy). Can a matching helicon bell be found? Will it have the acoustical properties of the original 40K body and bell knees and of the bell flare?
Klaus Bjerre of Denmark
Retired teacher
Free music files in .pdf format:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YorkMasterBBb/
(Approved membership required)
Index over brass instruments gallery and catalogue scans:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YorkMasterPublicPhotosIII/files/
(Membership is open for all)