TubeNet

I was wondering if anybody knows where one can buy lead pipes for a Conn 56j. I searched on the Conn website, as well as the archives here. Is there a store in California that carries them, so that I might hear how the horn plays with different lead pipes? For those of you unfamiliar with the 56j, the lead pipe is removable and simply screws in place. My current lead pipe is silver, but I am curious about how different materials might affect the instruments sound. Any stories or opinions are welcome.

Exchangeable leadpipes have my interest as at least one maker used to make two very similar models sounding rather differently considering that the only difference was in the expansion rate of the leadpipe bore.

Two German makers take different routes in the leadpipe materials for their better models. Miraphone uses nickel silver, Meinl Weston uses gold brass. Both materials are superior to yellow brass in resisting red rot. Yet I am more with MW, as nickel silver tends towards a brighter sound than does gold brass.

The UMI presentation of the Conn 56J suggests no special features of the leadpipe design:



When you say yours is silver then it must be the finish only, as I assume the tubing being brass. Your alternatives would be lacquer and maybe frosting, neither of which would be likely to give significant playing properties by themselves.

If you should find any benefit from a different factory made leadpipe, then the reason rather would be another parameter recently discussed here, but not specifically concerning Conn:

Production inconsistency.

Klaus

averagejoe wrote:My current lead pipe is silver, but I am curious about how different materials might affect the instruments sound. Any stories or opinions are welcome.

I am guessing that your leadpipe is only silverplated. Actual silver leadpipes are rare; sterling silver leadpipes are sometimes made by custom trombone manufacturers to screw into the main slide but I have never heard of one for tuba. The commmon tuba leadpipes are brass, goldbrass (rosebrass), and "nickle silver" which actually contains no silver at all.
Brass leadpipes are the most susceptible to "red rot" hence the use of other materials to prolong the lifespan of the leadpipe.

Of those three materials, some people believe that goldbrass is the darkest tone, then brass, then nickle silver. But, you will get quite a few opinions on this matter from the TNFJ, and they will probably all disagree.

Thanks for the info. I am not sure if the lead pipe is silver plated or nickel silver. I would just like to try out some different lead pipes because one of the reasons that I found my horn appealing in the first place was the possibility to change the tamber of the instrument easily by just screwing in another lead pipe. Does anybody know if alternate ones are even made for the Conn 5Xj series? I just want to see my options now, because I heard that Conn is moving on and may focus on some new designs that they have been cooking up. If that is the case then lead pipes that would become rare. I haven't even been able to find a place in California that sells Conn tubas.

You could tamper with the timbre either by buying one or more spare leadpipes from the maker and then change their bore expansion by means of dent balls (and with a high risk of splitting them - the pipes, not the balls).

Or you could specify your wishes and ask Dan Oberloh to make some custom leadpipes for you.

Klaus

I would e-mail Matt Walters, since he designed the thing. I don't think that there are any alternative materials, just plated or lacquered brass leadpipes for the 56js. Also, my local repair guy uses language not fit for mixed company when discussing UMI and their (in)ability to locate/send parts for their instruments. So even if another material were available, procuring the leadpipe would likely be an arduous process, culminating as an exercise in futility.

I have found that my 56 is very sensitive to mouthpieces when it comes to changing timbre. I can easily go from a huge ensemble sound to a small "baritone-ish" sound depending upon which mouthpiece I use.

Given UMI's inability to get their fecal material organized, I would go the mouthpiece route first, as they are cheaper and far more readily available.

All right, I guess I am going to begin a mouthpiece search. Into the archives!

Call Dillons. Matt might actually have an extra lead pipe or two in stock.
Some folks may have replaced or traded in the "factory lead pipe" with a diffierent alloy from the stock model.

The King 2341 comes standard with a Nickle Silver leadpipe.
I beileve that you can get replacements in Yellow brass (same as the main body of the horn), Rose brass - with a higher copper content.
The King and Conn lead pipes are not interchangable, due to different lengths for King in BBb and Conn in CC and location of the braces and screw fittings.

Also try BAC Horn Doctor - Mike was a Conn/Selmer distributor.
Or Baltimore Brass
Or Horh Guys
Or any of the many other brass repair sponsors on the sponsors page.

Good luck and happy hunting!