conn 2j bell plating ?

MikeMason · Post by **MikeMason** » Mon May 28, 2007 11:46 am

Sooner or later,I will have another 2j.I just really connect with this horn for quintet/smaller setting gigs.I've noticed that some of them have the inside of the bell nickel plated.What's up with that? The one I owned was lacquer throughout.Richard Murrow seems to be the Conn authority.Maybe he's watching.Just wonder if this was a deluxe version,from an earlier/later time period or just random.Anyone with any knowledge on this please chime in....

Richard Murrow · Post by **Richard Murrow** » Mon May 28, 2007 2:51 pm

Mike,

I don't know if I have any particular expertise with regard to Conn tubas. I have owned a 2J and 2 3J's, but any knowledge I have is just from researching what I bought and owned and from starting to get as old as dirt. The first 2/4Js that I saw were in 1971 when I was a student at the Navy School of Music. Conn sent a couple on approval for us to try. I don't know if the Navy ever bought any, but I don't remember those having the plated inner bells. I bought my first 2J in August of 1975 and it definitely had a plain lacquered inner bell. The first nickel plated bells that I saw showed up around 1976 or '77. I think that only lasted for a couple of years. It seems like the 3Js went into production around '78 or '79 and I don't think those ever had the nickel inner bell. I have owned a lacquered and silver plated 3J. Still have the silver one even though I never play any more.

As for a reason for the nickel, I have never heard one. Bloke's theory may have some merit, but I don't know. I was a clinician for Conn for
10+ years, but that subject never came up. I never could tell any difference in the playing qualities of the plain lacquer or nickel inner bells and I don't think the nickel bell models were considered a deluxe model. I think that is just the way Conn made them during that period. I don't know if this helps so I stop rambling. The 2J/3Js worked well for the purpose you described, but now we have many more options.

MikeMason · Post by **MikeMason** » Mon May 28, 2007 3:45 pm

I guess I remembered you were a conn clinician and had played 2/3j's.Just assumed that gave you a certain degree of expertise(which i contend it actually does).So, when you gonna sell me that 3j you "never play:

Richard Murrow · Post by **Richard Murrow** » Mon May 28, 2007 4:34 pm

Mike,

I screwed up. I said, "still have the silver one even though I never play any more". That should have been "never play "it" anymore". I however, am not ready to sell the 3J and it is already promised to a former student who has been after it for years. Sorry. I am now using a Miraphone Ambassador EEb for ALL the stuff I used the 2J/3Js for, with better results. The little Conn's were great horns, I just like my Ambassador ALOT! Good luck in your quest. If I hear about any, I'll let you know.

Alex C · Post by **Alex C** » Mon May 28, 2007 6:03 pm

In the 1970's I bought three 2J's (from Chuck Levin) for my students to purchase. Two were nickle plated on the inside of the bell. Not ordered that way, no difference in price, not noted on the invoice. I don't know that it made any difference.

Richard Murrow wrote:I don't know if I have any particular expertise with regard to Conn tubas.

And no matter what this guy says, I know for a fact that Richard Murrow is an expert on Conn 2&3J's. He may only have owned three but he knows more about them than most people.

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Tue May 29, 2007 9:01 am

It does look good. When I got a forgotten 2J out of the basement of my undergrad recently and cleaned it up and had some minor repair work done for them, the lacquer showed its age, but the nickel interior of the bell was still damn near perfect. If I played in a quartet, this particular instrument would be on my short list.