York bell front helicons

[MartinMan]

Stumbled upon an interesting page in an old York catalog recently. In their "USA" line if instruments (one of their budget lines like Grand Rapids Band instrument Co, etc.) they advertise a bizarre horn that looks like a sort of evolutionary "missing link" between a Helicon and a modern bell front Sousaphone.

https://www.yorkloyalist.com/copy-of-sc ... -lt22llou5

It looks to be a fixed tuba recording bell stack soldered on to a Helicon body and is billed by the ad as a cheaper Sousaphone alternative.

Quoting the ad copy: "The beautiful model shown on this page has been met with instant approval in the juvenile band circles where the sousaphone effect is desired at a reasonable cost. As you examine the illustration, you will see that it is a standard Helicon model with the bell to the front, presenting a most impressive appearance. Best of all this attractive model comes at a much lower price than the sousaphone so that every band can now equip with bell front helicons"

Stanger still is that I only found them in the 1926/7 catalog and can't find them listed anywhere before or after in other publication, nor can I find any pictures floating around out there in the web.

I'm really curious how many might be out there and what the ergonomics would be like. I'm also curious about the supposed economics of it all, like was it really that much cheaper to manufacture a straight bell as opposed to the 90 degree sousaphone bell elbow?

Anyone out there have one of these things?

[arpthark]

The short bell flare soldered on to the stack reminds me of the cheaper/lower quality later Abilene era(?) Conns. That tack was likely more budget-friendly than a brazed larger flare you see on a sousa bell. That, and not needing the hardware (tenons, etc.) for a removable bell along with all the extra bending you described that was required to build a sousaphone bell likely defined a lower price point. Just my guess. I have never seen one!

Maybe a way for York to offload some spare helicon parts when sousaphones were surging in popularity?

[York-aholic]

There was one on eBay within the last year or two. That’s the only actual one I’ve ever “seen”.

[MartinMan]

There was one on eBay within the last year or two. That’s the only actual one I’ve ever “seen”.

Did you happen to save any pictures from the listing?

[York-aholic]

Sorry, I didn't. I remember it was being held by a guy who pulled his beanie hat down over his face (to hide identity I assume). Not very helpful, I know. I looked at ebay's completed auctions and a quick look with Google, but didn't see it. Sorry.

It did look to be their smaller .656" bore though.

[windshieldbug]

As I recall it looked just like the catalog drawing. Minimal photos. At first I thought it was just a one-off until I saw the loyalist catalog. By then it was too late...

[York-aholic]

As I recall it looked just like the catalog drawing. Minimal photos. At first I thought it was just a one-off until I saw the loyalist catalog. By then it was too late...

Yes, I had the same thoughts about it, thinking perhaps it was “custom” by some shade tree repair technician.