TubeNet

I have not played them, so I can't tell you the playability differences, but I can tell you the technical differences. It's all in the bell:
52J = 18 inch bell
54J = 19 inch bell
56J = 20 inch bell

Same valve block and bugle.

I played on a 56J for three years and I really enjoyed the CC side of the horn. The intonation for the fifth valve side REALLY stunk(everything VERY flat), but overall the horn was good. I would buy one if I had the money. I would first try the horn. Good luck!

Ralph

tuben wrote:I don't know that this tuba is built as a CC/BBb horn (with two 'sides'). According to the Conn website, the fifth valve is a 'flat-whole step'. Therefore, if you put down the fifth valve with the idea of playing the horn as a BBb tuba, then everything would be flat.

Robert I. Coulter

Yes, I know it's a flat whole step fifth valve. This was REALLY flat! I mean to the point that it served no real purpose on that particular 56J. I didn't mean to make it sound like it was a two-sided horn. Whoops..

Ralph

and low F as 4+5

The only difference, physically, is the bell dimension, as correctly mentioned above.

I own the 56J, and I **THINK** I would prefer a bit more focus to the sound. I bet the 54J is slightly broader in sound than the 52, and slightly more focused than the 56. (real rocket science, there).

I suspect it would be a very decent, all-around 4/4 CC horn.

My opinion,

Yes, I know it's a flat whole step fifth valve. This was REALLY flat! I mean to the point that it served no real purpose on that particular 56J. I didn't mean to make it sound like it was a two-sided horn. Whoops..

Ralph

Ironic...the 5th slide on mine is in tune about 3-1/2 inches out.

MileMarkerZero wrote:Ironic...the 5th slide on mine is in tune about 3-1/2 inches out.

Ironic indeed. Maybe I played on a dud. Maybe the player was/is a dud. It makes me want to play that horn again and see if it was me or the horn.

Ralph