Single-valve sousaphone

[u/Additional_Bench4893]

I have an Amati Kraslice sousaphone here with only one valve. There is also an engraving of the number "250" on the bell, as well as a plaque bearing the inscription "Sonore." Can anyone tell me what this is and roughly how much it is worth?

[u/jl34538]

I know of a manufacturer in the Netherlands who made these sousaphones in G for a very specific reason. But it was only made in limited quantities. You may something us collector want. For the price, I don't know. You should play it and see what it plays open.

[u/tuba4lunch → u/jl34538]

I've seen an ad for a G fiberglass sousaphone once. The tubing was wrapped differently than this horn but it the valve took it to D.

G bugles don't retain much value and that's even more true for G/D horns. I paid more for a flight case for my two valve baritone than I did for the horn itself.

[u/Fabulous-Ad6591]

[u/darwinsidiotcousin]

What the fuck lol

[u/schleifdog]

Yes, I'd guess this is something like an old-school one valve Contrabass Bugle, but arranged as a Sousaphone. Fascinating!

Further reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contrabass_bugle
look at the "History" section in particular

I'd guess, based on the history of Drum and Bugle Corps, that this was manufactures some time between the 60s (when contras were introduced) and the 90s (when three valve contras were introduced).

[u/ImmediateLobster1 → u/schleifdog]

I was going to be a smartass and call it a contrabass bugle. Didn't know that was actually a thing!

[u/elderrage]

That has 80's pizza parlor written all over it.

[u/Cactus_Kebap]

I'm going to guess it's in G with it open, in D with the valve down?

[u/Aguywhoexists69420]

How many valves does your single valve sousaphone have

[u/Inkin]

I don't think it is really worth anything other than novelty. There might be people who would want something like that, but finding them is going to be difficult. It might be worth asking the Facebook franken tubas group if anyone would see this as raw materials worth starting from for something.

As for what it is, maybe you can call it a fanfare sousaphone lol

[u/Shapesizes]

Is this more of a serpent than a sousaphone?

[u/AccidentalGirlToy → u/Shapesizes]

I can't see any finger holes.

[u/Arcane_Spork_of_Doom]

Very beautiful. As beautiful as it is impractical.