Old Selmer sousaphones

[arpthark]

Where/by whom/when were the old Selmer USA sousaphones made?

[bloke]

Where/by whom/when were the old Selmer USA sousaphones made?

Elkhart.
The pistons (though nickel plated, of course) are interchangeable with the (now) 100-year-old Buescher .726" bore pistons, but the rest of the instrument was (obviously) modeled after the 36K/14K.

With no research to back up this assumption, it seems obvious to me that they appeared shortly after Selmer USA acquired Buescher.

I've seen them engraved Selmer, Bundy, Buescher, and Signet.

[arpthark]

1960s-70s or so?

Question spurred by a comment in another thread, but thought it unfair to sidetrack someone's earnest question by a random sousaphone non sequitur.

[bloke]

that sounds about right.

[iiipopes]

I concur. The shop I used to use had all the parts for a Selmer 'glass souzy, and put it together for me for a reasonable price. Tone was good; intonation predictable. Unfortunately, I found the ergonomics deficient when compared to a real 36K, especially the, um, er, different, J-shaped gooseneck. To make it even remotely playable I had to purchase a Jupiter gooseneck and bits for it, which has essentially the same male diameter to fit the Selmer receiver, give or take a couple of thou.

[bloke]

I concur. The shop I used to use had all the parts for a Selmer 'glass souzy, and put it together for me for a reasonable price. Tone was good; intonation predictable. Unfortunately, I found the ergonomics deficient when compared to a real 36K, especially the, um, er, different, J-shaped gooseneck. To make it even remotely playable I had to purchase a Jupiter gooseneck and bits for it, which has essentially the same male diameter to fit the Selmer receiver, give or take a couple of thou.

Interestingly, the goofy-shaped Yamaha sousaphone necks are the same goofy shape as the 1920s Buescher necks, and the male to female fit from Yamaha to 1920s Buescher is a perfect fit.