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Well, folks... I have found the 3rd valve of my Conn 4J. After 2 months seaching and email 30-40 repair persons, my repair shop ordered the valve from Allied. Unfortunally, Lee Stofer did have another Conn 4J valve, but Allied was closer. The valve cost was less than $150, so I am hopeful that the total bill will be ~$200.

So, a tuba that was in ICU can out to live again. YEA me...

After a couple of months and I get the dents out of the tuba, should I replated it?

Charles Atkins
*NEW* Conn 4J player

I just had my Conn 20J refurbished. All dents taken out and a new leadpipe as well as chemical cleaning. I spoke with my repair tech at Milano's Music and decided not to replate it. We talked about stripping it also. In the discussion it came out that they had redone a Conn 20J and it played worse and they do not recommend it. I agree. My horn plays much better and I would not chance it.

This is my humble opinion.

catkins522 wrote: After a couple of months and I get the dents out of the tuba, should I replated it?

Well, it's up to you....

If you really are in love with this tuba and want to keep it forever, it might be worth it. A good looking replate really depends on the preparation of the base material. Having a quality job done might be very expensive. You could wait and find a cleaner 4J or other horn and sell this one to finance most of the cost. It might be cheaper in the long run.

[quote="The Big Ben] You could wait and find a cleaner 4J or other horn and sell this one to finance most of the cost.[/quote]

Well, the Conn 4J is a rare item. The company stopped making it around 30+ years and parts for the tuba are even rarer (sp?). Trust me, it took me around 2 months to get another valve.

It might be behoove me to relaquer in about a year or so.

Charles

catkins522 wrote:should I replated it?

I won't venture a yes-or-no answer. But I will give a definite don't-do-it-unless-you-have-the-money-and-the-right-person to do it WELL.