| It has a 24" bell, an 7 3/8" bell collar interior diameter, and a .734 bore.
What Conn said in 1926:
The New Wonder Model Sousaphone Grand Basses are the largest members of the Sousaphone family. Built in BBb, with either three or four valves, they add a deep and sonorous voice to any ensemble in which they may be used. The splendid impression made by these instruments in point of appearance is a matter of remark everywhere. Due to the hydraulic expansion process of manufacture, these instruments are perfectly proportioned, and accurate intonation is therefore invariably obtained. The inside of the tubing is smooth as glass, having been "ironed out" by pressure of 10,000 pounds or more, and as a result the softest pianissimo passages, encountering little resistance, can be played with great effect. This is proof of the easy blowing quality of the Conn Sousaphone Grand Bass.
Even better, what Sousa said:
In an interview with John Philip Sousa the Christian Science Monitor of May 30, 1922 quoted him as follows:
"...the Sousaphone received its name through a suggestion made by me to J.W. Pepper, the instrument manufacturer of Philadelphia, full 30 odd years ago.. . . It was immediately taken up by other instrument makers, and is today manufactured in its greatest degree of perfection by the C.G. Conn Company..."
This instrument manufactured in 1920, and was the flagship of Conns sousaphone line of instruments, and is undoubtedly the instrument to which Sousa was referring.
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