Do I do it? opinions and guidance

[EmptyCase]

As of recent I am considering selling my 1946 Conn Naked lady 20k in order to purchase a nice, much older, Conn 38K. Both have the same finish, satin silver/gold wash bell(however the 20k is showing more wear especially under the bell). I'm waiting on pictures of the valves for the 38k(if they look like crap then its obviously a no go) but I wanted insight on how they play compared to each other, specs(which I could also just look up), etc. Basically any insight anyone has. I have pictures of both below. I know the bodies are more or less the same(i think?) and weight is not an issue with either. Thanks!

[pjv]

I think the real and only issue is;
Which one plays better?
Is more in tune?
Is easier to play?
Have less leakage at the valves?

One thing to keep in mind; a much older Conn (than 1946) is quite probably in high or low tuning.

With high tuning you can pull the slides to 440=A. If it still plays great your ready to go.

If it's low tuning then you've got a possible problem child on your hands, seeing as you'll need to have the entire sous shortened at all the slides (or whereabouts). This is only really with it if it plays way better than what you have.

[bloke]

Everything else being equal. I'm not a fan of short action valves. If the valves are great on both and the regular valve version is pretty on the outside and plays just as well, I would probably personally do that trade (other than the fact that I'm not really fond of 6/4 Conn sousaphones for my personal use), but I'm trying to answer the question for > you <.

Otherwise, I typically SELL sousaphones, and band directors - being group thinkers - like anything that's Yamaha and like any sousaphones that are big fat Conns with short action valves...(Over the years, I've tossed about seven of them in the bloke attic that need to be smoothed out and refinished. Someday I may do a "20K Marathon" and see if I can get them all sold to one school for one nice big fat price...Due to band director group think, that's the only make and model that I've picked up at really low prices - over the years - and tossed up there.)

[arpthark]

Personally, I'd just stick with the 20K because, contra bloke, I like the short action pistons and the tuning characteristics are pretty similar.

Doesn't the 38K have a slightly smaller bell?

I just question whether, with the hassle of selling your current horn and buying another one, if you'll come out appreciably better at the end. I think of some recent trades I've done which required shipping or lots of driving, and the payout probably wasn't worth the hassle.

[bloke]

Most of the older and super thick 38k sousaphones that I've seen feature 24-in bells and some of the later made medium thick ones that I've seen feature 26-in bells...Based on serial numbers, I'm thinking that the 26-in bell 38K sousaphones that I've seen were offered for sale at the same time as 20K sousaphones (ie. an overlap period).

Silver and gold is probably going to define older and thicker and (thus likely) 24 inches. I've never noticed that the 24-inch bells sound any different from the 26-inch ones...(??) But a whole bunch of people here claim that 1 lb. mouthpieces sound different from 7 oz mouthpieces (identical interiors and rims), so whatever.

I'm thinking that the Getzen-owned parts jobber up in Wisconsin offers aftermarket 14k/38k pistons, but I'm thinking that the really old 38k pistons featured the valve guide mounted on different locations, so that might possibly have to be addressed with new pistons, and - typically - sousaphones which feature worn pistons also feature worn casings, so spending several hundred dollars on a new set of pistons really wouldn't tighten up a sousaphone all that much.

[EmptyCase]

I think the real and only issue is;
Which one plays better?
Is more in tune?
Is easier to play?
Have less leakage at the valves?

One thing to keep in mind; a much older Conn (than 1946) is quite probably in high or low tuning.

With high tuning you can pull the slides to 440=A. If it still plays great your ready to go.

If it's low tuning then you've got a possible problem child on your hands, seeing as you'll need to have the entire sous shortened at all the slides (or whereabouts). This is only really with it if it plays way better than what you have.

Regarding tuning ill ask him about that. I assume its probably LP. Edit: the 1938 catalog confirms this, also confirms a 26" bell

[Mary Ann]

I vote no. If you want to own both of them and then choose, that would leave you an out and save you from the oft-seen-here seller's remorse.

[bloke]

Were it that I desired ownership of an 80-to-90-year-old Conn .734" bore sousaphone (and - likely - most any encountered for sale feature considerably worn valve casings and pistons), I'd probably seek out a lightly-used 36K (fiberglass) valve section (put a satin silver finish on it - to match the finish on most all of those old sousaphones) and do a valveset transplant...this as complete piston/casing rebuilds are no longer (including removal/reinstallation of the valveset) $600 or so, but are now (including all of that valveset removal/reinstallation labor) well over $2000.

...to find an 80-year-old Conn 6/4 size sousaphone for sale with truly superb-condition pistons/casings..."unicorn"

Were it that my 80-to-90-year-old sousaphone body had never been silver plated, that would - then - define an even less expensive transplant.

ok...but (also) those good/used 36K valvesets are less-and-less frequently seen offered for sale, as well as for higher-and-higher prices.

(stating the obvious, here) Pistons/casings are to brass instruments as engines/transmissions are to vehicles.