Conn 20J Front Valve Conversion??

TUbajohn20J · Post by **TUbajohn20J** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:02 am

Thanks everybody. Also Steven, if you could I would love to see some pics of that 26J. And I think I've decided to leave THIS 20J alone and play it like it is, because it plays wonderful now and don't want to risk anything. Rick, I don't have any of those problems with my 20J that you seem to have had. The pitch is pretty much dead on, even the low F that you use 1 &3 on. This horn truly does sound like the voice of God, especially in the low register. Every horn is slightly different though. But I do plan on getting another 20J, probably a slightly beat up brass one for cheap...and adding the 20K/22K valve set to it since it would be "easier" as most people are telling me the factory valve set won't work, then adding a 4th valve...and if I like the way it turns out, yes I'm going to get all the dents taken out, have it satin silver plated with bright silver trimmings. That truly is my dream horn and if I could find a factory horn like that I would marry it!! I am still very interested in this project and think it is well worth doing. Thanks for the input everybody

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:14 am

TUbajohn20J wrote:...... I think I've decided to leave THIS 20J alone and play it like it is....... But I do plan on getting another 20J, probably a slightly beat up brass one for cheap...and adding the 20K/22K valve set to it .......

Here's one with the wrong bell you might pick up for cheap....
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Weymann-Tub ... 1|294%3A50

TUbajohn20J · Post by **TUbajohn20J** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:23 am

Thanks, yes that's exactly what I'm looking for. I'll keep my eye on that one. Also, I hate to ruin a good 22K sousa just for the valve section, as these are somewhat rare (well, more rare than the 36K atleast). Does anybody have an old beat up 20K they would sell? or know somebody? thanks-John

tubatom91 · Post by **tubatom91** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:55 am

I can get you the fiberglass part

. (I have the parts you want). I'll keep my eye out for you. BTW when we both get ours done I'd love to get together and honk 'em back to back (maybe a tuba christmas somewhere).

TUBAD83 · Post by **TUBAD83** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 1:17 am

TUbajohn20J wrote:I think I've decided to leave THIS 20J alone and play it like it is, because it plays wonderful now and don't want to risk anything. Rick, I don't have any of those problems with my 20J that you seem to have had. The pitch is pretty much dead on, even the low F that you use 1 &3 on. This horn truly does sound like the voice of God, especially in the low register.

My 20J does not have those problems either (used it in a concert last weekend). Great sound, no intonation problems, and can play it extremely soft with no problem at all. Truly a joy to play. Very glad to see a great horn is going to remain as Mr. Conn had intended

TUbajohn20J · Post by **TUbajohn20J** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 2:10 am

Yeah Jerry, in my opinion, there is no tuba that could compare to the sound of a 20J. I realized mine is too beautiful and I love it too much to mess with it. That's what the old, beat up, came from a middle school band 20J's are for right! I am eventually going to make that "26J" from one of those. But I'm going to keep this tuba as long as I live just as it is.

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:46 am

TUbajohn20J wrote:....... Does anybody have an old beat up 20K they would sell? or know somebody? thanks-John

Not old and beat-up. But Conn/Selmer still manufactures the 20K/22K valve sections at the Eastlake, Ohio factory. I've never tried it, but they might be willing to part with a valve section (or parts thereof) at a reasonable price. Even if the cluster is damaged... the #2 is the one you need to graft to the others to make a four-valve cluster. In fact, I'll bet they are still making a four-valve cluster.

TUbajohn20J · Post by **TUbajohn20J** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:04 pm

TubaTinker wrote:
TUbajohn20J wrote:....... Does anybody have an old beat up 20K they would sell? or know somebody? thanks-John
the #2 is the one you need to graft to the others to make a four-valve cluster. In fact, I'll bet they are still making a four-valve cluster.

Really? Why would they still be making the 4 valve cluster if it isn't in production?? I need to get one of these!!

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:37 pm

TUbajohn20J wrote:
TubaTinker wrote:
TUbajohn20J wrote:....... Does anybody have an old beat up 20K they would sell? or know somebody? thanks-John
the #2 is the one you need to graft to the others to make a four-valve cluster. In fact, I'll bet they are still making a four-valve cluster.
Really? Why would they still be making the 4 valve cluster if it isn't in production?? I need to get one of these!!

You mis-read my post. Although Conn/Selmer doesn't catalog a 4V version of the 20K.... the DO still build the 3V sousa. My guess is that they would build a 4V version if Uncle Sam called and said they wanted a couple dozen. Want me to check on it for you? It's only money!

pwhitaker · Post by **pwhitaker** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:52 pm

TUbajohn20J wrote:Yeah Jerry, in my opinion, there is no tuba that could compare to the sound of a 20J. ....

I have a recording bell 20J and a Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb. IMHO the Rudy has a more compelling presence. Both horns have a very ponderous timbre which is exactly what I want in a tuba sound. The 20J isn't quite as focused as is the Rudy, which is not surprising since the Rudy produces the canonical German tuba sound. My trad jazz compadres like both of them equally well - I bought the Conn for the recording bell 'cause I'm lazy. An automotive comparison would be the classic Mercedes 600 sedan vs the vintage 1950's Cadillac De Ville - both exemplars of their respective domains.

TUbajohn20J · Post by **TUbajohn20J** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 11:38 pm

TubaTinker wrote: Want me to check on it for you? It's only money!

Yes!!! I need to get me a couple 4 valve 20K's while I'm at it

tubatom91 · Post by **tubatom91** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 1:22 am

newest action with my horn

edsel585960 · Post by **edsel585960** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 1:53 pm

I know this is a an ancient post but would like to know if you actually finished it. Would love to see it!

tubatom91 · Post by **tubatom91** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 4:49 pm

This is the one I "finished" a few years ago. It's in need of a few hours of soldering as it needs more bracing in vital points (Lead-pipe and valve-section) but it plays.

Tabor · Post by **Tabor** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 9:45 pm

I think it would be interesting & perhaps a easier to slap a Mirafone 186 valve set in there. Roughly the same bore & the short throw of the rotor valves are similar to the short action pistons.

Art Hovey · Post by **Art Hovey** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 10:11 am

Here's my recent 20J conversion project:

Conv20J-Front.jpg

Detail are here:

http://galvanizedjazz.com/tuba/20J/20Jconversion.html

“Gross National Product” measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion… It measures everything except that which makes life worthwhile. Robert Kennedy, 1968

edsel585960 · Post by **edsel585960** » Fri Oct 17, 2014 1:06 pm

Cool horn! I love 2xj's. Bet it sounds great.

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Conn 20J Front Valve Conversion??

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