tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824704134328368009.post8684711361349296017..comments2024-03-06T07:40:35.686-05:00Comments on Strictly Oompah: Sousaphones not made by C. G. ConnDave Detwilerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06251061680700040039noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824704134328368009.post-51509717740237105492013-06-28T11:57:53.723-04:002013-06-28T11:57:53.723-04:00In your opinion are the Holton sousas comparable i...In your opinion are the Holton sousas comparable in quality and tone to the Conns or are the "also rand"?Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11158437399345168038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824704134328368009.post-9212591482799115732013-01-03T19:45:12.045-05:002013-01-03T19:45:12.045-05:00Regarding Keefer and sousaphones, there's a st...Regarding Keefer and sousaphones, there's a strange connection here. Henry Distin, originally an instrument maker in London, sold out to Boosey (later Boosey & Hawkes)in 1868 and came to the U.S. in the 1870's. After some time in New York, he was engaged by J.W. Pepper to establish a musical instrument factory in Philadelphia, which he did around 1880. Around 1890, Distin sold that factory to Pepper, and founded another factory in Williamsport, PA. Pepper's factory is generally credited as having produced the first Sousaphone. Distin retired from the instrument business around 1892, dying in 1903, and in 1909 his manager and former partner, Brua C. Keefer gained control of the company and changed the name. So Both Keefer and Pepper sousaphones share a common ancestor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824704134328368009.post-84584831292453008922013-01-03T19:26:43.419-05:002013-01-03T19:26:43.419-05:00Dave, I own a 1924 4 valve Mammoth Holtonphone in ...Dave, I own a 1924 4 valve Mammoth Holtonphone in BBb (42 lbs, in silver with a 26" bell). This is the old Holton style with the tenon bolts on the bell (can send pictures if you'd like). I also have somewhat poor digital copies of ca. 1925 ads for "The Holton Sousaphone" which is a raincatcher and "The Holtonphone" which is bell-front. While it would be short timing for Holton to issue a bell-front sousaphone by 1909, I have always suspected that the Holtonphone was strictly a bell-front design. <br /><br />Jim McIntyreAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com