While I've shared some great images of the first Sousaphone
earlier in this blog (from a museum visit in 2012), here are a few more from the week I had this historic horn in my home prior to
playing it in concert last Spring:
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| The shoulder pad is not original, of course, nor are the mouthpiece and neck. |
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Where the bell and body connect. Note the vertical squiggly lines, which
are to be matched up in order to have the bell in the right position. |
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| The horn as it comes apart. |
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Top view of the valve cluster. Having only three valves might have been a strike against it,
which may in part explain why Sousa switched to using a Conn horn in 1898. |
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Bottom view of the valve cluster - the main tuning slide curves in and under in such a way
that digs into one's ribs. Not the best design! |
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| Bottom view of the valves, showing the unusual vent holes. |
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| Side view of valves, showing serial number of 8800 (which is also on the bell). |
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Historically accurate neck, made by Matt Walters of Dillon Music
(original neck and mouthpiece were lost). |
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| Showing detail on the tuning slides |
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| Close up of the stamped brass that is found on many parts of the horn |
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Engravings on the front of the bell (note the words "Sousa" and "Phone" in the twirling ribbon. This may
be the very first use of this term - the name Pepper gave to this horn, in order to honor Sousa. |
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Engraving of Sousa toward the top of the bell. The uniform he is wearing is from the 1894 season, which
helps to hone in on a date for when the horn was made (now confirmed as 1895). |
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