Strictly Oompah
Marching through the history of the Sousaphone - and other big tubas!
Friday, September 20, 2024
Allentown Tubist Joins Sousa's Band
Monday, July 22, 2024
More early references to the big horn
As more newspapers are added to newspapers.com, I am finding more early references to the Sousaphone. Here is one, in the June 4, 1896 edition of a Canadian newspaper, mentioning the original Sousaphone, built by J. W. Pepper in 1895, while it was on tour with Sousa's Band in 1896:
And here is mention of C. G. Conn's first Sousaphone, in the December 18, 1898 edition of the Pittsburgh Post:
Finally, here is a drawing of Herman Conrad with Conn's first Sousaphone in 1901, featured in the Sydney, Australia newspaper, The Sunday Times, with a brief note in the accompanying article suggesting that Sousa was already planning to take his band to Australia in the near future (that trip didn't happen until 10 years later):
Saturday, May 25, 2024
What would you like to learn about?
Me with the original Sousaphone in 2015; Conrad with Conn's first in 1898; the restored Harvard Tuba in 2019 |
1. The history of the Sousaphone
2. J. W. Pepper, the creator of the first Sousaphone
3. Herman Conrad, the world's first Sousaphone player
9. The wonderful world of giant tubas (all known subcontrabasses)
11. The Harvard Tuba, originally dubbed "La Prodigieuse" (1889)
Me at USC in 1980; part of the tuba section at EPCOT in 1982; and at the 1984 Olympic Opening Ceremonies |
Our 1925 Pan American 64-K Sousaphone, and my 1899 Conn American Model tuba, before its restoration |
A Timeline of Sousaphone History
When I stumbled upon this hobby of digging into Sousaphone history during the summer of 2012, I only intended to see if I could uncover the truth about the so-called "Original Sousaphone" up at the Interlochen Center for the Arts (see this post). But I soon discovered that there was more to clear up, as websites and print resources - and even the best Sousa biographies - were seldom saying the same thing about the early history of the Sousaphone.
It's been a lot of fun, and I have ended up exploring far beyond those earliest years of the instrument that bears the name of the greatest band leader the world has ever known. The results of my research are posted below, although there are many other posts that are not linked here. You'll have to scroll through the blog to catch those.
I'll keep this timeline toward the top as a matter of convenience. But I'll keep posting things below it, as I find them, that are interesting and relevant to the unfolding story of Sousaphone history. Enjoy!
1845 - Helicon (forerunner to Sousaphone) first produced in Vienna
1853 - James Welsh Pepper is born on March 8 in Philadelphia, PA
1854 - John Philip Sousa is born on November 6 in Washington, D.C.
1867 - Herman Conrad is born on April 21 in Danzig, West Prussia
1879 - J. W. Pepper publishes the first of eleven Sousa marches
1883 - Sousa visits Pepper's first factory, supervised by Henry Distin
1888 - Conrad is recruited by Gilmore after emigrating to Detroit
1890 - Factory where the first Sousaphone will be created is built
1892 - Sousa gives Pepper the idea for the Sousaphone
1893-95 - Sousa tolerates one or possibly two helicons in his band
1895 - Pepper builds and names the first Sousaphone
1896 - Pepper's new horn goes on tour with the Sousa Band
1896 - Earliest known reference to a "Sousaphone" in a newspaper
1896 - More detailed report on Pepper's new horn in The Dominant
1897 - C. G. Conn builds giant tubas for both Brooke and Innes
1898 - Conn produces his first Sousaphone, called a "Monster"
1899 - Conn company builds its second Sousaphone; sells for $250
1899 - This very early Conn Sousaphone can still be seen today
1899 - Sousaphone seen on the march for the first time
1900 - By April, there are 10 Conn Sousaphones in use
1900 - Sousaphone seen in Europe for the first time (France, Germany)
1901 - Sousaphone seen in England and Scotland for the first time
1903 - Conn further modifies its "Monster" four-valve Sousaphone
1905 - Pepper finally begins selling Sousaphones - but only briefly
1907 - Conn introduces its first Eb Sousaphone
1908 - Conn unveils a bell-front design, the "Wonderphone Helicon"
1909 - Other companies begin making Sousaphones around this time
1915 - Sousa adds a second Sousaphone to his famous band
1919 - Sousa briefly tells the story of the first Sousaphone
1920s - Heyday of the Sousaphone; shows up in all kinds of bands
1920s - Women Sousaphonists begin getting much-deserved publicity
1921 - Sousa goes with all Sousaphones in his bass section
1921 - Warren G. Harding, Sousaphonist, elected President
1921 - Conn begins claiming to have built the original Sousaphone
1921-24 - The legendary Bill Bell plays Sousaphone in Sousa's Band
1922 - Sousa shares more of the story of the first Sousaphone
1924 - Conn builds the world's largest playable Sousaphone
1926 - Conn discontinues upright bell Sousaphones
1928 - Sousa mentions the Sousaphone in his autobiography
1932 - Sousa dies in Reading, PA, after conducting Ringgold Band
1935 - Holton builds its historic mammoth Holtonphone
1936 - Sousaphonist dots the "i" in the script Ohio for the first time
1937 - The first Sousaphone may have been used in Ringgold Band
1942-46 - Conn stops making horns for the public due to the war
1948 - Harry Wenger markets his "Sousaphone Chair-Stand"
1957 - Conn briefly brings back upright bell Sousaphone (21K)
1961 - Conn introduces the first fiberglass Sousaphone
1970 - I start playing the Sousaphone (hey, it's my blog!) More here
1970 - The mislabeled "Original Sousaphone" arrives at Interlochen
1973 - John Bailey finds and buys the Pepper horn at a flea market
1991 - Bailey returns the historic horn to its maker, J. W. Pepper
1994 - A "good-natured debate" about who built the first Sousaphone
1999 - TUBA Journal article says Sousaphone's "Origins a Mystery"
2014 - What I found in the United States Marine Band Library
2015 - The first Sousaphone makes front page news in The Inquirer!
2015 - I play the first Sousaphone with my community concert band
2015 - My article in the ITEA Journal (reprinted in The Brass Herald)
2015 - J. W. Pepper produces documentary on the first Sousaphone
2016 - My second article in the ITEA Journal (and The Brass Herald)
2016 - J. W. Pepper produces documentary for its 140th anniversary
2018 - A display case is finally built for the first Sousaphone
Click here for detailed photos of the first Sousaphone
Author during his heyday as a Sousaphonist at the Swimming Venue of the 1984 Olympics |
Herman Conrad - the forgotten giant
This is the research project that I am currently plugging away on. I started a few years back, but then got distracted (happily!) with The Harvard Tuba and other giant tubas. But there will be lots more to come about Herman, including an article for the ITEA Journal, titled "Herman Conrad: The Forgotten Giant of the Tuba." Here's what I've learned, and posted, so far:
Conrad was indeed a giant, between 6'4" and 7' tall!
1888 - Conrad is recruited by Gilmore to join his world-famous band
1889 - Conrad seen in photo of Gilmore's Band, playing helicon
1891 - Conrad likely involved in Edison recordings of Gilmore's Band
1892 - Conrad may have played giant Besson tuba with Gilmore's Band
1893 - Conrad plays same helicon initially in Sousa's Band
1895 - Conrad poses with the very first Sousaphone (more here)
1895 - Conrad comments further on J. W. Pepper's new Sousaphone
1896 - Conrad plays first Sousaphone on tour with Sousa (more here)
1896 - Conrad listed as "Sousaphone" player with Sousa
1898 - Conrad poses with Conn's first Sousaphone
1899 - Conrad marches with the Sousaphone for the first time
1899 - Conrad seen playing cards on the train during Sousa tour
1900 - Conrad takes the Sousaphone to Europe for the first time
1902 - Conrad featured as Sousa Band soloist on a Victor recording
1903 - Conrad with the Sousaphone in England again
1903 - Conrad starts working for the Victor Talking Machine Co.
1903 - Conrad plays with Arthur Pryor's new band (confirmed in 1904)
1904 - Conrad appears a few times in a special Pepper publication
1905 - Conrad appears in Pepper publication selling Sousaphones
1910 - Conrad appears to be in this Victor recording session photo
1910 - Conrad's brother, Gustave, plays in the Ford Motor Band
191? - Conrad is honored by Holton with a special concave mouthpiece
1945 - Conrad is rightly remembered as the first to play the Sousaphone
1970 - Conrad is wrongly connected with the Interlochen Sousaphone
2016 - I find and meet Conrad's great, great grandson!
Conrad and the horns he played over the course of his career
The Sousa Band's Sousaphone Men
This page is under construction, but here's what I've got so far:
Initial post on Sousa and Sousaphones (1896-1931)
And here are the 37 men known to have played Sousaphone in Sousa's Band, with their years playing that instrument in parentheses, which puts them in rough chronological order. I'll eventually be creating posts for each one of these guys:
- Herman Conrad (1896-1903)
- John "Jack" Richardson (1903-1910, 1912-1918, 1923-1931)
- Arthur "Shorty" Griswold (1911)
- John Kuhn (1915, 1916-1918?, 1919-1920)
- Oscar Cott (1915-1917)
- W. V. Webster (1919)
- Henry "Hank" Stern (1919-1920)
- Walter Goble (1920)
- Edward Burant (1921-1922?)
- Daniel Markert (1921-1922)
- Nicola Ferrara (1921-1922)
- Fred Pfaff (1921-1922, 1929-1930 radio broadcasts?)
- Earl Field (1921-1924)
- Donald Gardner (1921-1922, 1925-1926)
- William "Bill" Bell (1921-1924)
- William Gens (1922-1924?)
- Arthur Raymond (1923-1924)
- Fred Grabner (1923)
- Arthur Davenport (1923, 1925-1926
- James Romeril (1923-1924)
- Clayton "Gabe" Russ (1923-1927)
- Martin O'Conner (1924)
- William Herb (1924-1926, 1929-1931)
- Herbert Weber (1924, 1926)
- Earl Keller (1925-1926)
- Nathan Lower (1925-1926, 1928, 1930?)
- Paul Kniss (1925-1926)
- Loren Kent (1926-1927)
- Albert Weber (1926)
- Elvin "Jake" Freeman (1927-1928)
- Frank Tritton (1927)
- Edwin Bearman (1928)
- Reuben "Johnny" Evans (1928-1929)
- Arbor "Bob" Fuller (1928-1929, 1930?)
- R. B. Merville (1930)
- Oscar Zimmerman (1930)
- George Woolley (1930-1931)
Charles Gerard Conn Sr. (1844-1931)
Most band musicians are at least vaguely aware that C. G. Conn once made the best band instruments in the world. In particular, he made the best Sousaphones, with his first one coming out in 1898, and his bell-forward design, called a "Wonderphone," hitting the market in 1908 (that's Conn himself, at the left, with the tuba version of a "Wonderphone").
But did you know that, when he was 74, Conn had a son, Charles Gerard Conn Jr., with his mistress, Suzanne Conn (no relation), who he later married? And did you further know that he was a big-time yachtsman, a big-game fisherman, and an automobile enthusiast - as well as an occasional politician?
Here's what I've collected so far on this towering figure of American music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
(For posts about Conn Sousaphones, click here; the posts below will focus more on Conn's personal life and work.)
1897 - Conn opens a branch store in New York City
1908 - This may have been Conn's most impactful invention
1908 - Conn makes an epic road trip from Elkhart to Los Angeles
1913 - Forty-four postcards showing the work in Conn's factory
2021 - My son and I visit the Conn mansion in Elkhart (seen below)
2021 - My son and I also visit Conn's final resting place
C. G. Conn Basses - A Complete List
Ever since a couple of dear friends surprised me with a vintage Conn tuba back in February, I've enjoyed digging into the history of Conn basses - and quite a history it is!
Here is my attempt at a complete list of the bass instruments built by Conn over the years, which is pulled together from various sources, including The Conn Loyalist and Horn-U-Copia websites, the many Conn publications posted by Mark Overton at saxophone.org, and a complete 1921 Conn catalog shared by Mark Jones at C. G. Conn Postcards and Ephemera. At some point, I hope to visit the National Music Museum to complete my Conn research and clean up some of the data below, but that is still a ways off. This at least gets the tuba-ball rolling!
The dates listed are not complete, but represent what I could piece together from the sources mentioned above. TA = top action, and FA = front action. I also included weight and bell diameter, where I could.
Upright Tubas (before the use of factory numbers)
Conic Clear Bore Valve (1878) / Patent Light Valve (1881) / Equa-Tone Valve (1882) / Ultimatum Models (1885)
1881-1885 Eb Bass, Short Pattern (3 or 4 valves, TA, 10 lbs)
1881-1885 Bb Bass, Short Pattern (3 valves, TA)
1881-1885 BBb Bass, Short Pattern (3 or 4 valves, TA, 15 lbs)
New Perfection Models
1885-188? Eb Bass, Short Pattern (3 valves, TA)
1885-188? Bb Bass, Short Pattern (3 valves, TA)
Wonder Valve Models
1886-1889 Eb Bass (3 or 4 Wonder valves, TA, 10 lbs)
1886-1889 Bb Bass (3 or 4 Wonder valves, TA)
1886-1889 Double Bb Bass (3 Wonder valves, TA, 13 lbs, 14.5 in)
American Models (all FA, an innovation)
1888-1909 Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, 10 lbs, 14.5 in)
1889-1894 Bb Bass (3 or 4 valves)
1889-1909 Monster BBb Bass (3 or 4 valves, 20.5 lbs, 17.5 in)
1899-1909 Giant Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves)
Wonder Models (all TA, with new slides, an innovation)
1890-1909 Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, 11 lbs, 14.5 in)
1890-190? Bb Bass (3 or 4 valves)
1890-1909 Monster BBb Bass (3 or 4 valves, 20.5 lbs)
1899-1909 Giant Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves)
Wonderphone Models (with forward-facing bells, an innovation)
1908-1923 Standard Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, TA)
1908-1923 Standard Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA)
1908-1923 Monster BBb Bass (3 or 4 valves, TA)
1908-1923 Monster BBb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA)
1908-1923 Giant Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, TA)
1908-1923 Giant Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA)
1910-19?? Jumbo BBb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA)
1913-19?? Medium/Professional Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, TA)
1913-19?? Medium/Professional Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA)
Perfected Models (new lead pipe w/tuning slide, an innovation)
1910-1912 Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, TA)
1910-1912 Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA)
1910-1912 Monster BBb Bass (3 or 4 valves, TA)
1910-1912 Monster BBb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA)
1910-1912 Giant or Contra Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, TA)
1910-1912 Giant or Contra Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA)
1911-19?? BBb Bass, Jumbo size (3 or 4 valves)
New Invention Models (similar to the previous models)
1911-19?? Bb Bass (3 valves, TA)
1911-1918 Eb Bass, Standard (3 or 4 valves, TA, 12.5 lbs, 14 in)
1911-1918 Eb Bass, Standard (3 or 4 valves, FA, 12.5 lbs, 14 in)
1911-1918 Eb Bass, Giant or Contra (3 or 4 valves, TA, 16 lbs, 20 in)
1911-1918 Eb Bass, Giant or Contra (3 or 4 valves, FA, 16 lbs, 20 in)
1911-1918 Monster BBb Bass (3 or 4 valves, TA, 18 lbs, 21 in)
1911-1918 Monster BBb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA, 18 lbs, 21 in)
1911-19?? "Jumbo" Model BBb Bass (3 or 4 valves, TA, 25 lbs, 22 in)
1911-19?? "Jumbo" Model BBb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA, 25 lbs, 22 in)
1913-1918 Eb Bass, Professional (3 or 4 valves, TA, 13 lbs, 16 in)
1913-1918 Eb Bass, Professional (3 or 4 valves, FA, 13 lbs, 16 in)
1913-1918 Orchestra Grand BBb Bass (4 valves, FA, 25 lbs, 22 in)
1913-1918 Orchestra Grand CC Bass (4 valves, FA)
Upright Tubas (after the use of factory numbers)
Factory numbers begin appearing in catalogs around 1921, and they eventually included a five letter "Code Word," which corresponds to the "J" in the number; those will be included where they are known. Also, LP = low pitch, HP = high pitch, "sa" = short action valves, TA = top action, and FA = front action. Finally, you'll notice that Conn reused many factory numbers, which is confusing!
In Order of Factory Numbers:
02-J 1919-1931 New Wonder Standard Eb (LP, 3v, TA, 12 lbs, 16 in, "japan")
02-J 1971-19?? CC Tuba (4v, FA)
03-J 1919-1931 New Wonder Standard Eb (HP, 3v, TA, 12 lbs, 16 in, "jaunt")
03-J 1986-19?? CC Tuba (4v, FA, 18 lbs, 18 in; replaced 02-J?)
04-J 1919-1934 New Wonder Standard Eb (LP, 3v, FA, 12 lbs, 16 in, "jelly")
04-J 1971-19?? BBb Tuba (4v, FA, 21 lbs, 16 in)
05-J 1919-1931 New Wonder Standard Eb (HP, 3v, FA, 12 lbs, 16 in, "jenny")
05-J 1986-today BBb Tuba (4v, FA, 20 lbs, 18 in; replaced 04-J?)
06-J 1921-19?? New Wonder Standard Eb (LP, 4v, TA)
06-J 1924-1934 "Junior" Model Bass (LP, 3v, TA, 15 lbs, 18 in, "jugal")
07-J 1921-19?? New Wonder Standard Eb (HP, 4v, TA)
07-J 1924-1931 "Junior" Model Bass (HP, 3v, TA, 15 lbs, 18 in, "jyrzo")
08-J 1921-19?? New Wonder Standard Eb (LP, 4v, FA)
09-J 1921-19?? New Wonder Standard Eb (HP, 4v, FA)
10-J 1919-1928 New Wonder Prof. Eb (LP, 3v, TA, 14.5 lbs, 18 in, "jetty")
10-J 196?-1971 BBb Bass Tuba (3v, TA, 16 lbs, 18 in)
11-J 1919-1928 New Wonder Prof. Eb (HP, 3v, TA, 14.5 lbs, 18 in, "jewel")
11-J 1958-1960 BBb Tuba (3v, FA)
12-J 1919-1931 New Wonder Prof. Eb (LP, 3v, FA, 14.5 lbs, 18 in, "jiffy")
12-J 1986-1988 BBb Tuba (3v, FA, 16 lbs, 18 in)
13-J 1919-1928 New Wonder Prof. Eb (HP, 3v, FA, 14.5 lbs, 18 in, "jimmy")
14-J 1921-19?? New Wonder Prof. Eb (LP, 4v, TA)
14-J 1955-1964 Director Bass in Eb (3v, TA, 13 lbs, 16 in)
15-J 1921-19?? New Wonder Prof. Eb (HP, 4v, TA)
15-J 1986-1988 BBb Convertible Tuba (3v, FA, 17 lbs, 18 in)
16-J 1921-19?? New Wonder Prof. Eb (LP, 4v, FA)
16-J 1937-1939 Eb Recording Bass (3v, FA)
17-J 1921-19?? New Wonder Prof. Eb (HP, 4v, FA)
18-J 1919-1926 New Wonder Giant Eb (LP, 3v, TA, 17 lbs, 20 in, "jingo")
19-J 1919-1926 New Wonder Giant Eb (HP, 3v, TA, 17 lbs, 20 in, "joint")
20-J 1919-1928 New Wonder Giant Eb (LP, 3v, FA, 17 lbs, 20 in, "joist")
20-J 1934-1980 BBb Recording Bass (bell front, 3v-sa, TA, 29 lbs, 24 in, "jalit")
21-J 1919-1928 New Wonder Giant Eb (HP, 3v, FA, 17 lbs, 20 in, "joker")
21-J 1957-1971 Artist Recording Bass in BBb (bell up, 3v-sa, TA, 29 lbs, 24 in)
22-J 1921-19?? New Wonder Giant Eb (LP, 4v, TA)
22-J 1934-1941 BBb Recording Bass (bell front, 3v-sa, FA, 29 lbs, 24 in)
23-J 1921-19?? New Wonder Giant Eb (HP, 4v, TA)
24-J 1919-1926 New Wonder Giant Eb (LP, 4v, FA, 19 lbs, 20 in, "jorum")
24-J 1934-1971 BBb Recording Bass (bell front, 4v-sa, TA, 30 lbs, 24 in)
25-J 1919-1926 New Wonder Giant Eb (HP, 4v, FA, 19 lbs, 20 in, "jolly")
25-J 1957-1971 Artist Recording Bass in BBb (bell up, 4v-sa, TA, 30 lbs, 24 in)
26-J 1919-1931 New Wonder Monster BBb (LP, 3v, TA, 25.52 lbs, 22 in, "joule")
26-J 1934-1941 BBb Recording Bass (bell front, 4v-sa, FA, 30 lbs, 24 in)
27-J 1919-1931 New Wonder Monster BBb (HP, 3v, TA, 25.5 lbs, 22 in, "joust")
28-J 1919-1928 New Wonder Monster BBb (LP, 3v, FA, 25.5 lbs, 22 in, "judge")
29-J 1919-1928 New Wonder Monster BBb (HP, 3v, FA, 25.5 lbs, 22 in, "juice")
30-J 1921-19?? New Wonder Monster BBb (LP, 4v, TA)
30-J 1932-1934 De Luxe Recording Bass in BBb (bell front, 3v, TA)
31-J 1921-19?? New Wonder Monster BBb (HP, 4v, TA)
32-J 1919-1931 New Wonder Monster BBb (LP, 4v, FA 27 lbs, 22 in, "julep")
32-J 1932-1934 De Luxe Recording Bass in BBb (bell front, 3v, FA)
33-J 1919-1928 New Wonder Monster BBb (HP, 4v, FA 27 lbs, 22 in, "juxta")
34-J 1919-1923 New Wonder Orchestra Grand BBb (LP, 4v, FA, 26 lbs, 23 in)
34-J 1928-1934 De Luxe Rec. Bass, BBb (bell up, 4v, FA, 32 lbs, 26 in, "jaker")
35-J 1921-19?? New Wonder Orchestra Grand BBb (HP, 4v, FA)
36-J 1919-1923 New Wonder Orchestra Grand CC (4v, FA, 26 lbs, 26 in)
36-J 1928-1938 De Luxe Rec. Bass, BBb (bell front, 4v, FA, 32 lbs, 26 in, "jakpa")
44-J 1921-1926 New Wonder Bb (LP, 3v, TA)
45-J 1921-1926 New Wonder Bb (HP, 3v, TA)
46-J 1924-1926 New Wonder Standard Bb (LP, 3v, FA, 7 lbs, 12 in, "jabir")
47-J 1924-1926 New Wonder Standard Bb (HP, 3v, FA, 7 lbs, 12 in, "jabot")
48-J 1921-1926 New Wonder Phonograph CC (LP, 4v, FA, 18 lbs, 15 in, "juror")
52-J 1926-19?? Phonograph BBb, small bore (bell front, LP, 4v, FA, 16 in)
52-J 1996-2011 CC Tuba (5v, FA, 18 in)
54-J 1996-2011 CC Tuba (5v, FA, 19 in)
56-J 1996-2011 CC Tuba (5v, FA, 20 in)
80-J 1924-1934 Monster BBb Wonderphone (LP, 3v, FA, 25 lbs, 23 in, "jacky")
81-J 1924-1928 Monster BBb Wonderphone (HP, 3v, FA, 25 lbs, 23 in, "jason")
82-J 1924-1931 Monster BBb Wonderphone (LP, 4v, FA, 27 lbs, 23 in, "jaded")
83-J 1924-1926 Monster BBb Wonderphone (HP, 4v, FA, 27 lbs, 23 in, "jerky")
84-J 1924-1926 New Wonder Symphony CC (LP, 4v, FA, 20 lbs, 20 in, "jagua")
85-J 1924-1926 New Wonder Symphony CC (HP, 4v, FA, 20 lbs, 20 in, "jaina")
86-J 1924-1926 NW Symphony Grand CC (LP, 4v, FA, 20 lbs, 20 in, "jargo")
87-J 1924-1926 NW Symphony Grand CC (HP, 4v, FA, 20 lbs, 20 in, "jocos")
Donatelli Model?
1908-1914 Wonderphone Standard Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA)
1908-1914 Wonderphone Monster BBb Bass (3 or 4 valves, TA)
1908-1914 Wonderphone Monster BBb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA)
1908-1914 Wonderphone Giant Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, TA)
1908-1914 Wonderphone Giant Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA)
1910-19?? Wonderphone Jumbo BBb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA)
1913-19?? Wonderphone Medium/Professional Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, TA)
1913-19?? Wonderphone Medium/Professional Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, FA)
1921-1926 48-J New Wonder Phonograph CC (4v, FA, 18 lbs, 15 in, "juror")
1924-1934 80-J, Monster BBb Wonderphone (LP, 3v, FA, 25 lbs, 23 in, "jacky")
1924-1928 81-J, Monster BBb Wonderphone (HP, 3v, FA, 25 lbs, 23 in, "jason")
1924-1931 82-J, Monster BBb Wonderphone (LP, 4v, FA, 27 lbs, 23 in, "jaded")
1924-1926 83-J, Monster BBb Wonderphone (HP, 4v, FA, 27 lbs, 23 in, "jerky")
1926-19?? 52-J, Phonograph BBb, small bore (LP, 4v, FA, 16 in)
1928-1934 34-J, De Luxe Rec. Bass, BBb (bell up opt., 4v, FA, 32 lbs, 26 in, "jaker")
1928-1938 36-J, De Luxe Rec. Bass, BBb (4v, FA, 32 lbs, 26 in, "jakpa")
1932-1934 30-J, De Luxe Recording Bass in BBb (3v, TA)
1932-1934 32-J, De Luxe Recording Bass in BBb (3v, FA)
1934-1980 20-J, BBb Recording Bass (3v-sa, TA, 29 lbs, 24 in, "jalit")
1934-1941 22-J, BBb Recording Bass (3v-sa, FA, 29 lbs, 24 in)
1934-1971 24-J, BBb Recording Bass (4v-sa, TA, 30 lbs, 24 in)
1934-1941 26-J, BBb Recording Bass (4v-sa, FA, 30 lbs, 24 in)
1937-1939 16-J, Eb Recording Bass (3v, FA)
1957-1971 21-J, Artist Rec. Bass in BBb (bell up option, 3v-sa, TA, 29 lbs, 24 in)
1957-1971 25-J, Artist Rec. Bass in BBb (bell up option, 4v-sa, TA, 30 lbs, 24 in)
Helicons (before the use of factory numbers)
Clear Conic Bore Valve (1878) / Equa-Tone Valve (1882) / Ultimatum Models (1995)
1880-1885 Eb Bass Helicon (3 or 4 valves)
1880-1885 Bb Bass Helicon (3 or 4 valves)
1880-1885 BBb Bass Helicon (3 or 4 valves)
New Perfection Models
1885-1887 Eb Bass Helicon (3 Equa-Tone valves)
1885-1887 Bb Bass Helicon (3 Equa-Tone valves)
1885-1887 BBb Bass Helicon (3 Equa-Tone valves)
Wonder Valve Models (and their successors, up to 1913)
1888-1910 Eb Bass Helicon (3 or 4v)
1888-1900 Bb Bass Helicon (3 or 4v)
1888-1910 Monster or Giant BBb Bass Helicon (3 or 4v, 20 lbs, 19.5 in)
1911-1910 Giant Eb Bass Helicon (3 or 4v)
New Invention Models
1911-1918 Eb Bass Helicon (3 or 4v)
1911-1918 Monster BBb Bass Helicon (3 or 4v)
1911-1918 Giant Eb Bass Helicon (3 or 4v)
1919-1922 New Wonder Medium/Professional Eb Helicon (3 or 4v)
Helicons (after the use of factory numbers)
Factory numbers begin appearing in catalogs around 1921 and eventually came with a five letter "Code Word" that corresponds to the "K" in the number. I've included those, when they are known, along with the weight and bell diameter.
02-K 1919-1931 New Wonder Standard Eb (LP, 3v, 14 lbs, 16 in, "kamis")
03-K 1919-1931 New Wonder Standard Eb (HP, 3v, 14 lbs, 16 in, "kayak")
04-K 1921-19?? New Wonder Eb (LP, 4v)
05-K 1921-19?? New Wonder Eb (HP, 4v)
06-K 1919-1926 New Wonder Medium Eb (LP, 3v)
07-K 1919-1926 New Wonder Medium Eb (HP, 3v)
08-K 1921-19?? New Wonder Medium Eb (LP, 4v)
09-K 1921-19?? New Wonder Medium Eb (HP, 4v)
10-K 1919-1928 New Wonder Giant Eb (LP, 3v, 18.5 lbs, 20 in, "knave")
11-K 1919-1927 New Wonder Giant Eb (HP, 3v, 18.5 lbs, 20 in, "knead")
12-K 1921-19?? New Wonder Giant Eb (LP, 4v)
13-K 1921-19?? New Wonder Giant Eb (HP, 4v)
30-K 1919-1931 New Wonder Monster BBb (LP, 3v, 21 lbs, 22 in, "krone")
31-K 1919-1931 New Wonder Monster BBb (HP, 3v, 21 lbs, 22 in, "kutch")
32-K 1919-1926 New Wonder Monster BBb (LP, 4v, 21 lbs, 22 in)
33-K 1919-1926 New Wonder Monster BBb (HP, 4v, 21 lbs, 22 in)
Helicon production seems to have ended after 1931.
Sousaphones (before the use of factory numbers)
Wonder Models (with upright bells, the original design)
1898-1912 Wonder Monster BBb Helicon Sousaphone (4v, 33 lbs)
1902-1912 Wonder BBb Helicon Sousaphone (3v)
1907-1912 Giant Eb Bass Sousaphone (3 or 4v)
Wonderphone Models (with forward-facing bells, an innovation)
1908-1910 Wonderphone Helicon Eb Bass (3 or 4v)
1908-1910 Wonderphone Helicon Monster BBb Bass (3 or 4v)
1908-1910 Wonderphone Helicon Giant Eb Bass (3 or 4v)
New Invention Models (with either original bell up, BU, or bell front, BF, which came to be called "Sousaphone Grands")
1911-1918 Monster BBb Bass Sousaphone (BU, 3 or 4v, 21-22 in)
1911-1918 Giant Eb Bass Sousaphone (BU, 3v)
1911-1918 Monster BBb Wonderphone Helicon (Sousaphone Grand, BF, 3 or 4v)
1911-1918 Giant Eb Wonderphone Helicon (Sousaphone Grand, BF, 3 or 4v)
1913-1918 Eb Bass Sousaphone (BU, 3 or 4v)
1917-19?? Jumbo Sousaphone Grand in BBb (3v?)
1920-1922 New Wonder Medium Eb Sousaphone (BU, 3 or 4v)
Sousaphones (after the use of factory numbers)
Factory numbers begin appearing in catalogs around 1921, and they eventually included a five letter "Code Word," which corresponds to the "K" in the number; those will be included where they are known. Also, BU = bell up (original Sousaphone design), BF = bell front (first called Wonderphones, then, starting in 1913, called Sousaphone Grands), LP = low pitch, HP = high pitch, and "sa" = short action valves. Finally, you'll notice that Conn reused some factory numbers, which is confusing!
In Order of Factory Numbers:
10-K 1962-1971 Artist Sousaphone in BBb (BF, 3v, 28 lbs, 26 in)
14-K 1921-19?? New Wonder Eb (BU, LP, 3v)
14-K 1955-1971 Director Sousaphone in BBb (BF, 3v, 23 lbs, 24 in)
15-K 1921-19?? New Wonder Eb (BU, HP, 3v)
16-K 1921-19?? New Wonder Medium Eb (BU, LP, 4v)
17-K 1921-19?? New Wonder Medium Eb (BU, HP, 4v)
18-K 1919-1927 New Wonder Giant Eb (BU, LP, 3v, 20 lbs, 20 in, "kneel")
19-K 1919-1926 New Wonder Giant Eb (BU, HP, 3v, 20 lbs, 20 in, "knell")
20-K 1919-1926 New Wonder Giant Eb (BU, LP, 4v, 21.5 lbs, 20 in, "knife")
20-K 1935-2022 BBb Sousaphone Grand (BF, 3v-sa, 30.5 lbs, 26 in, "knife")
21-K 1919-1926 New Wonder Giant Eb (BU, HP, 4v, 21.5 lbs, 20 in, "knock")
21-K 1957-1964 Artist Sousaphone in BBb (BU, 3v-sa, 24 in)
22-K 1921-19?? Medium Eb Sousaphone Grand (BF, LP, 3v)
22-K 1941-19?? BBb Sousaphone, lighter in weight (BF, 3v-sa, 24 in)
22-K 1964-1986 BBb Fiberglass Sousaphone (BF, 3v-sa, 23 lbs, 26 in)
23-K 1921-19?? Medium Eb Sousaphone Grand (BF, HP, 3v)
24-K 1921-19?? Medium Eb Sousaphone Grand (BF, LP, 4v)
25-K 1921-19?? Medium Eb Sousaphone Grand (BF, HP, 4v)
26-K 1920-1969 New Wonder Giant Eb (BF, LP, 3v, 23 lbs, 23 in, "knoll")
27-K 1920-1931 New Wonder Giant Eb (BF, HP, 3v, 23 lbs, 23 in, "knout")
28-K 1920-1931 New Wonder Giant Eb (BF, LP 4v, 24.5 lbs, 23 in, "kodak")
29-K 1919-1931 New Wonder Giant Eb (BF, HP, 4v, 24.5 lbs, 23 in, "koran")
32-K 1929-1943 New Junior BBb Sousaphone (BF, LP, 3v, 26 lbs, 24 in)
34-K 1919-1926 New Wonder Monster BBb (BU, LP, 3v, 25.5 lbs, 22 in, "kopra")
35-K 1919-1926 New Wonder Monster BBb (BU, HP, 3v, 25.5 lbs, 22 in, "kitch")
36-K 1919-1926 New Wonder Monster BBb (BU, LP, 4v, 27 lbs, 22 in, "klept")
36-K 1960-20?? BBb Fiberglass Sousaphone (BF, 3v, 17-18 lbs, 24-26 in)
37-K 1919-1926 New Wonder Monster BBb (BU, HP, 4v, 27 lbs, 22 in, "krieg")
38-K 1919-1941 New Wonder Monster BBb (BF, LP, 3v, 29 lbs, 24 in, "kiter")
39-K 1919-1938 New Wonder Monster BBb (BF, HP, 3v, 29 lbs, 24 in, "kinka")
40-K 1919-1931 New Wonder Monster BBb (BF, LP, 4v, 31 lbs, 24/26 in, "ketch")
40-K 2016-2022 New version of previous 40-K (BF, 4v, 31 lbs, 26 in)
41-K 1919-1931 New Wonder Monster BBb (BF, HP, 4v, 31 lbs, 24/26 in, "keeve")
42-K 1924-1926 NW Monster BBb Jumbo (BU, LP, 3v, 38 lbs, 26 in, "kenda")
44-K 1924-1926 NW Monster BBb Jumbo (BU, LP, 4v, 40 lbs, 26 in, "kenot")
46-K 1924-1931 NW Monster BBb Jumbo (BF, LP, 3v, 40 lbs, 28 in, "keros")
48-K 1924-1934 NW Monster BBb Jumbo (BF, LP, 4v, 43 lbs, 28 in, "kilta")
Original bell up Sousaphone design ceased production by 1927, although it was revived again, for the new 21-K, from 1957-1964.