Late 20s York Monster Sousaphone
Posted: Wed May 27, 2026 10:20 am
Listing on behalf of a friend/band mate who's not on the forum. If interested, DM me and I can pass along the seller's contact info.
LOCAL PICKUP IN CHICAGO, IL ONLY. Seller is not willing to ship, but may be willing to meet within a reasonable driving distance of the city.
For your consideration is a York model 155 sousaphone commissioned for the United States Quarter Masters Corps in the late 1920s.
It has a smaller bell flare than typical of the larger Yorks (appears to be 24") which helps focus the sound and cut down on after-ring.
Looks to be mostly original except for the bell screws and the neck and bits (currently has Conn neck and bits)
The instrument has some evidence of past repairs including a patch on the leadpipe as well as evidence of the horn being apart and re-assembled in the past (marks where bracing has moved slightly in some places). The leadpipe and ligature to tighten the neck has also been recently repaired.
I had the privilege of playing this horn on a gig recently and it plays with a massive, pillowy sound. Able to fill the room at all volumes.
Silver plating is mostly in tact although it's tarnished and could use a nice polish. Compression on the valves is decent, and all the slides pull.
Non-original hard case included.
Seller is asking $3,000
Pictures:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... W0Ls0-GSV9
LOCAL PICKUP IN CHICAGO, IL ONLY. Seller is not willing to ship, but may be willing to meet within a reasonable driving distance of the city.
For your consideration is a York model 155 sousaphone commissioned for the United States Quarter Masters Corps in the late 1920s.
It has a smaller bell flare than typical of the larger Yorks (appears to be 24") which helps focus the sound and cut down on after-ring.
Looks to be mostly original except for the bell screws and the neck and bits (currently has Conn neck and bits)
The instrument has some evidence of past repairs including a patch on the leadpipe as well as evidence of the horn being apart and re-assembled in the past (marks where bracing has moved slightly in some places). The leadpipe and ligature to tighten the neck has also been recently repaired.
I had the privilege of playing this horn on a gig recently and it plays with a massive, pillowy sound. Able to fill the room at all volumes.
Silver plating is mostly in tact although it's tarnished and could use a nice polish. Compression on the valves is decent, and all the slides pull.
Non-original hard case included.
Seller is asking $3,000
Pictures:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... W0Ls0-GSV9
