Posted by Doug Whitten on November 14, 2003 at 18:33:50:
I just got a Bach B1111 sousaphone that was back ordered for my college band. Upon opening it, it is oviously a lot different than the other ones I bought last summer. It has a bell that is much more secure. The valves have metal guides and are seemingly better. Valve caps are all brass, no mother of pearl. Also, the valve sectuion is removable, but in a different way than were the other bach/Yamahas I have seen in the past. It don't know if it is any better, but it is certainly different. My question is, are the new Yamaha Sousaphones different, too, or has Bach found a new supplier? My initial response is that the changes are for the better.
What do you know?