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Have an opportuntiy to get a Conn 5J.
What are your thoughts?
Does it have any broblems of note?

Several doublers in NY play the Conn 5J (and a couple have old 4J's as well). These horns are pretty easy for a trombonist to pick up and make a semi-characteristic tuba sound on. They are also relatively inexpensive, especially used. The pitch is workable. The sound isn't particularly broad, but that makes the horn a possible for quintet, dixie, or (as I mentioned) pit work.

If you have a specific purpose, or this horn just really clicks for you (in which case, our opinions don't matter a bit), go ahead and grab it.

If it were me, I'd likely save the $$$, and wait for something more interesting.

I think that a Conn 5J is a good 3/4 to 7/8 sized BBb tuba, especially for beginning to intermediate players. I know advanced amateurs who love theirs. The bore is a little small, but I think that in general they are good horns. Whether it's worth it for you depends on what it's for, what condition it's in and the price.

The thought on this is it moves my son from a 3 valve upright piston to a 4 valve front piston. As I see very few newer / better quality (?) tubas that are in the first category it was my thought to mve in that direction..

Not that I mean to insult any one who has a 3 valve upright and loves it......(he plays fairly well on his pending final coordination on private lessons)

It just seems that progression moves to more valves, but as he is a boy, I don't want to risk a large money expenditure that will go the way of the dodo once the "fumes" get to him

(perfumes, exhaustfumes, etc. )

For what you seem to be looking for, a 5J probably would be a great choice. Assuming no significant damage by your son, it should hold its value well, also.

I will echo everyone's comments, for your son it would probably be a good horn and get him into a 4 valver. As was mentioned before they are a smaller horn so they do not have the biggest sound but it does have a good sound. They are also easy to play and in tune with themselves. And they are built like a tank with alot of extra bracing and guards. Definitley designed for the school market.

If you can get it for free it would be good for nothin' (sorry)

ken k

Well Brassdad, watching from home I had hoped you were getting the big BBb from Art Hovey, I guess that didn't work out, sorry, I hope it's in a nice collection somewhere....... I've seen the 5J on ebay and if that's the one the price is okay but it certainly needs some time with the dent eraser, which will cost you a bit of money. They are a bit on the small side, as horns go, but your son might be still growing, and if he stays with it this could one day make a good back up horn. Peace. ASG

I think the Conn 5J would be an excellent choice for a high school student. Good intonation, compact size, good construction. Some day he MAY want something bigger, but you can always re-sell it or trade it in. Harvey Phillips did pretty well with a Conn about that size for his entire playing career, which was not too shabby!