Posted by Klaus on October 17, 2000 at 09:51:28:
In Reply to: Holton EEflat Sousa Info? posted by Ian Easton on October 17, 2000 at 08:21:19:
"works well but needs a loving owner" is always a sign of danger for me, as is "I do know nnnnothing of brass instruments" and "we took out the dents we could reach without taking the instrument apart" (it is those dents on the narrower inner tubing, that are affecting the playability, and which are very expensive to have removed). But a trial might be your safeguard.
The price you pay for a used instrument can end up being the smallest of cost factors. The repair costs to make it play well can be much higher. As investments in repair only in a rather limited way are reflected in resale value, then I tend to look for instruments needing no further repairs.
But a 4 valve sousaphone almost always is an interesting instrument. They were not intended for the school market. And I have heard of no 4 valve sousas, that were not based on the then current top versions of a makers 3 valve sousa.
I have a 4 valve sousa, and I simply think of it as a good tuba.
Klaus