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

4. C. G. Conn, who made the Sousaphones Sousa preferred

5. All the basses made by C. G. Conn over the years

6. All the men who played Sousaphone in Sousa's Band

7. Eldon Baker, one of the earliest bass soloists, once with Sousa

8. Earl Field and his wife, Hazel - a Sousaphone love story
9. The wonderful world of giant tubas (all known subcontrabasses)

10. The 52 ft Eb Saxhorn Bourdon, the world's largest tuba (1851)
11. The Harvard Tuba, originally dubbed "La Prodigieuse" (1889)

On a more personal note:

Me at USC in 1980; part of the tuba section at EPCOT in 1982; and at the 1984 Olympic Opening Ceremonies

12. Playing tuba at the National Music Camp in the summer of 1979

13. Playing Sousaphone in the USC Band from 1979 to 1984

14. Playing Sousaphone for USC's 100th Birthday in 1980

15. Playing Sousaphone at EPCOT Center's 1982 Grand Opening

16. Playing Sousaphone at the 1984 Summer Olympics

17. The 1925 Pan American Sousaphone my son and I rescued . . .

18. My 1899 C. G. Conn American Model Monster BBb Bass . . .

19. The vintage Sander tuba that belonged to Jack Richardson

Our 1925 Pan American 64-K Sousaphone, and my 1899 Conn American Model tuba, before its restoration

While there are other posts below that are not directly related to my research on any of the categories above (you'll have to scroll down to catch those), I'm going to keep this list at the top of the blog, so that my favorite topics are easily accessible to you. Enjoy!

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"

1898-1903 - Conn's first Sousaphone evolves through three versions
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)

1900 - Sousaphone seen on the march again - this time in Paris
1901 - Sousaphone seen in England and Scotland for the first time

1902 - Conn introduces its smaller, three-valve Sousaphone

1902 - Earliest sighting of Pepper's Sousaphone after it was with Sousa
1903 - Conn further modifies its "Monster" four-valve Sousaphone

1905 - The Conn Sousaphone at Interlochen was built around this time
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

1914 - Wonderphone Helicons are now called Sousaphone Grands
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

2024 - The story behind the original Sousaphone (on YouTube)

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:

1. Herman Conrad (1896-1903)
2. John "Jack" Richardson (1903-1910, 1912-1918, 1923-1931)
3. Arthur "Shorty" Griswold (1911)
4. John Kuhn (1915, 1916-1918?, 1919-1920)
5. Oscar Cott (1915-1917)
6. W. V. Webster (1919)
7. Henry "Hank" Stern (1919-1920)
8. Walter Goble (1920)
9. Edward Burant (1921-1922?)
10. Daniel Markert (1921-1922)
11. Nicola Ferrara (1921-1922)
12. Fred Pfaff (1921-1922, 1929-1930 radio broadcasts?)
13. Earl Field (1921-1924)
14. Donald Gardner (1921-1922, 1925-1926)
15. William "Bill" Bell (1921-1924)
16. William Gens (1922-1924?)
17. Arthur Raymond (1923-1924)
18. Fred Grabner (1923)
19. Arthur Davenport (1923, 1925-1926
20. James Romeril (1923-1924)
21. Clayton "Gabe" Russ (1923-1927)
22. Martin O'Conner (1924)
23. William Herb (1924-1926, 1929-1931)
24. Herbert Weber (1924, 1926)
25. Earl Keller (1925-1926)
26. Nathan Lower (1925-1926, 1928, 1930?)
27. Paul Kniss (1925-1926)
28. Loren Kent (1926-1927)
29. Albert Weber (1926)
30. Elvin "Jake" Freeman (1927-1928)
31. Frank Tritton (1927)
32. Edwin Bearman (1928)
33. Reuben "Johnny" Evans (1928-1929)
34. Arbor "Bob" Fuller (1928-1929, 1930?)
35. R. B. Merville (1930)
36. Oscar Zimmerman (1930)
37. 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?

Bell-Front (Recording Bell) Tubas Over the Years:

1908-1914    Wonderphone Standard Eb Bass (3 or 4 valves, TA)
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)

 

C. G. Conn with a Wonderphone Monster BBb Bass in 1908

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)

Herman Conrad with Conn's first Sousaphone in 1898

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.

Conn advertisement from 1952, in The Instrumentalist

The large paragraph in the black box in the ad above is incorrect. It is not true that "Conn made the world's first sousaphone," whether in 1908 or any other year; J. W. Pepper did, in 1895, which was three years prior to Conn introducing his version to the world in 1898 (see image above). However, Sousa did prefer Conn Sousaphones, and stuck with them from that point on.

Conn 20K and 40K today, at the Conn-Selmer website

The wonderful world of Giant Tubas!

Gallery: The basics about all twelve known subcontrabass tubas
My initial blog post about the wonderful world of Giant Tubas!
The emerging history of the world's largest tuba (52ft Eb Saxhorn)
Various posts on The Harvard Tuba, originally dubbed "La Prodigieuse"
C. G. Conn builds giant tubas for both Brooke and Innes bands in 1897