Posted by Wade on October 11, 2003 at 19:28:53:
In Reply to: Re: SOUSAPHONE IN ORCHESTRA posted by I would consider it on October 11, 2003 at 13:05:39:
Some sousas that I have played on have had ungodly fine sounds. On most, the intonation has been better that a lot of lesser "concert" instruments.
Would I ever consider playing one in my orchestra: no. But I would opt in for a jumbo Conn, which is merely a lap sousaphone. Just spend an hour really looking at a Conn short action brass sousa next to a short action recording bass and measure them. They are based on the same set of "unwrapped" tubes and specs.
Now, there are some sousas that just reek, as there are many concert tubas that are not worth the purchase price.
Funny how we pass blanket condemnations about some things. I actually like to mess around with a sousaphone once in a while. But, no, no sousaphone on the stage for me – damn thing looks too weird up there!
Wade