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Conn 10J BBb Tuba

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 2:17 am
by TUbajohn20J
i know this is considered a "beginner" horn, but I love 10j's. they are really an all purpose tuba. they have a good sound in all registers, they can play loud with ease, and easy/lightweight to carry around to gigs. I have seen old photos of jazz bands and quintets from the 50's and 60's, where they play on 10J's. I'm thinking about buying a good used one just to have.
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Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:02 am
by iiipopes
They do sound pretty good with a deep funnel mouthpiece, like a standard 120S Conn Helleberg.

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 2:46 pm
by TUbajohn20J
I agree. If anyone finds a good one for sale please let me know. I want to have it restored to play in gigs and what not.

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 2:51 pm
by TUbajohn20J
What Conn said about it in 1961:

"Special lightweight model. Extremely responsive, precision intonation, with a beautifully rich symphonic tone. Highly responsive and balanced in all registers. Three valves. Lustre-Conn finish over polished brass, or Tarnish-Shield over satin-finish silver plate with brilliant silver bell interior. Bore 0.695". Bell up. Bell Diameter 18". Weight 15 lbs 12 oz. "

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 3:26 pm
by The Big Ben
Nice to see one with a straight bell. The ones I see on DaBay are always really squished.

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 8:43 pm
by uncle jerd
10Js are wonderful little horns, but they do have flimsy bells. Another thing is that double wrapped 3rd valve slide, which stays full of water. All in all, it is a GREAT little horn! Good luck finding one!

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 10:01 pm
by The Big Ben
uncle jerd wrote:10Js are wonderful little horns, but they do have flimsy bells. Another thing is that double wrapped 3rd valve slide, which stays full of water. All in all, it is a GREAT little horn! Good luck finding one!
I see that. Does the whole double wrap thing come out? Would be a drag to only have one of the sides come out. The King 1140 I had carried the bulk of the third valve tubing up top so it didn't hang down in the way like it would on this 10J if it wasn't doubled back on itself. If only one side came out, the player would have to do some weird sort of dance to spin the water out. I usually pull the slide out to dump the water. Got into the habit while playing French horn.

Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 3:01 pm
by TUbajohn20J
yes the whole double wrap slide does come out, so it would be easy to spin it around a couple times and get the water out.

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:26 am
by CTAYLOR
If I could find a tuba like this one I'd take it any day. 10J's are great horns at a good price range. I played a 10J in 7th grade band and took it home as my high school practice horn..played on it 5 years..to this day it is one of the best tubas i ever played

Re: Conn 10J BBb Tuba

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 4:59 pm
by Alex F
I am now the very happy owner of a rescued 10j courtesy of The Tubameister, Mr. Lee Stofer. I took a road trip out to his shop on Wednesday (separate thread) and picked it up.

These horns are often reviled by some, especially the "high skool" crowd, but I think they, like many other 3 bangers out there, deserve a lot more respect than they get. This is, a 15.75 lbs, a lightweight horn, but is capable of a nice deep tuba sound. It's very easy to hold and play. The bell is 18", it stands 32" high, and the bore is .695". Lee did a tremendous job in removing the dents and making the valves glide like butter. My 10j has obvious battle scars in terms of scratches and lacquer wear but still looks pretty decent. This is a great horn to use for practice, travel, dixie, strolling, Salvation Army kettle playing, and even some small ensemble work. It does have some limits as a three banger, but what's life without some challenges.

I think part of the reason for the bad rep on these horns is that so many have been destroyed due to school abuse. Notwithstanding, finding one of these in decent condition, or having Lee, Dan, Joe, Matt, or Dan O. fix one for you is well worth the effort. As always, IMHO.

Re: Conn 10J BBb Tuba

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 5:15 pm
by J.c. Sherman
I love these; I've been keeping an eye out for a "totalled" one, or one missing valves, to convert to front action for use on actual gigs. Great sounding intruments...

Anyone ever chop one to CC?

Didn't one of Sam Pilafian's former teachers (a woman in Florida) get pictured with one of these for her orcherstra photo?

J.c.

Re: Conn 10J BBb Tuba

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:21 pm
by Dan Schultz
Bob1062 wrote:How do they compare to the 12J?
Much better... in my opinion. Simply because I don't like top-action horns at all! The 12J and 15J are both front-action horns and are virtually the same horn except the 15J is a convertible tuba. But... don't be mislead by the NEW 15J Conns. They are really King 1140 tubas... a product of the UMI/Conn-Selmer transition.

Those 12J and 15J tubas are nice little secrets if you can find one without a trashed bell!

Re: Conn 10J BBb Tuba

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:28 pm
by eupher61
J.c. Sherman wrote:Didn't one of Sam Pilafian's former teachers (a woman in Florida) get pictured with one of these for her orcherstra photo?

J.c.
That would be Connie Weldon, one of the great unsung heroes (ok, heroines for those who insist) of low brass. I didn't know until somewhat recently that she played in the KC Philharmonic in the early 50s...another great musician who got started here (well, she'd done lots of playing before that too) along with Alan Kofsky and Dale Clevenger.

I can't find the classic picture of her, but it seems familiar to see that horn with her. I dunno if it was her "orchestra" picture or not, though.

Re: Conn 10J BBb Tuba

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:59 pm
by Toad Away
J.c. Sherman wrote: Didn't one of Sam Pilafian's former teachers (a woman in Florida) get pictured with one of these for her orcherstra photo?

Yes, that picture of Connie Weldon with a 10J was on the cover of the Summer, 1991 issue of the T.U.B.A. Journal.
Inside was the bio of this great lady.

Re: Conn 10J BBb Tuba

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:30 pm
by J.c. Sherman
bloke wrote:The valveset (except for slide lengths) is roughly the same as the one on those 80-to-90-year-old (out-of-tune) top-action Conn "Monster" Eb tubas.
The bore on these is a bit bigger, I think... My monster is .689.

J.c.S.

Re: Conn 10J BBb Tuba

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 9:38 am
by Toad Away
bloke has done it again with his avatar --- I can't stop laughing!

Re: Conn 10J BBb Tuba

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:43 am
by eupher61
eupher61 wrote:
J.c. Sherman wrote:Didn't one of Sam Pilafian's former teachers (a woman in Florida) get pictured with one of these for her orcherstra photo?

J.c.
That would be Connie Weldon, one of the great unsung heroes (ok, heroines for those who insist) of low brass. I didn't know until somewhat recently that she played in the KC Philharmonic in the early 50s...another great musician who got started here (well, she'd done lots of playing before that too) along with Alan Kofsky and Dale Clevenger.

I can't find the classic picture of her, but it seems familiar to see that horn with her. I dunno if it was her "orchestra" picture or not, though.
I'd forgotten to mention Bob Eliason, too...he played in KC Phil for 12 years or so after Connie Weldon left. While he didn't make a name as a player elsewhere, he did fine for himself!

Re: Conn 10J BBb Tuba

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2016 12:52 pm
by TUbajohn20J
My 10J in action. Enjoy :tuba:
https://youtu.be/indVXxJhZlY" target="_blank" target="_blank

Got the car loaded up with the holiday essentials. Presents and a 10J for Christmas gig.
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Re: Conn 10J BBb Tuba

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2016 1:41 pm
by edsel585960
I sold my 10J recently. Was a nice little silver horn in pretty good shape. It deserved to be played more than I played it so it went to a middle school boy. He'd been playing one of the Eastman knock offs of the Yamaha 105. He couldn't believe how much better the Conn played. I miss it but I'm glad it has a new home where it will be played like it deserves. :)

Re: Conn 10J BBb Tuba

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2016 2:17 pm
by TUbajohn20J
edsel585960 wrote:I sold my 10J recently. Was a nice little silver horn in pretty good shape. It deserved to be played more than I played it so it went to a middle school boy. He'd been playing one of the Eastman knock offs of the Yamaha 105. He couldn't believe how much better the Conn played. I miss it but I'm glad it has a new home where it will be played like it deserves. :)
Yes that was a nice horn. Perfect for a young player. Hopefully he keeps it that nice looking and takes care of it. Sounds like it's in good hands. Band kids can be destructive to school owned horns but I bought a Conn in middle school as well and got it looking and playing like new. Anyway I love this little horn!! It's my go-to to throw in the car and go.