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Will anything other than a Conn 24J bell work properly (i.e. in tune) on a 24J? The genesis of the question: I want a bell-front horn. If I were to buy a 25J (bell-up), could I substitute any other recording-style bell, or do I *have to* find a 24J bell? If I do use something else, what if anything would I lose in terms of pitch, tone, or volume?

Note I am a RANK amateur, only looking to play dixieland, oom-pah, or maybe 4th of July festivals, nothing serious. That only means I can consider reduced performance; I do want to know HOW reduced from a master's standpoint.

eli wrote:Will anything *other* than a Conn 24J bell work properly (i.e. in tune) on a 24J? The genesis of the question: I want a bell-front horn. If I were to buy a 25J (bell-up), could I substitute any other recording-style bell, or do I *have to* find a 24J bell? If I do use something else, what if anything would I lose in terms of pitch, tone, or volume?

I'm sure there are bells out there that could be adapted but your best bet is to just buy a 2XJ recording bell. The upright one is the toughie to find.

TubaTinker wrote:

eli wrote:Will anything *other* than a Conn 24J bell work properly (i.e. in tune) on a 24J? The genesis of the question: I want a bell-front horn. If I were to buy a 25J (bell-up), could I substitute any other recording-style bell, or do I *have to* find a 24J bell? If I do use something else, what if anything would I lose in terms of pitch, tone, or volume?

I'm sure there are bells out there that could be adapted but your best bet is to just buy a 2XJ recording bell. The upright one is the toughie to find.

So I'm guessing it might be easy to trade an upright bell for a recording bell even-even?

eli wrote:Will anything *other* than a Conn 24J bell work properly (i.e. in tune) on a 24J? The genesis of the question: I want a bell-front horn. If I were to buy a 25J (bell-up), could I substitute any other recording-style bell, or do I *have to* find a 24J bell? If I do use something else, what if anything would I lose in terms of pitch, tone, or volume?

It should be easy to find a Conn 20J/24J bell. They are the same horn only one (20J) is 3v and the other (24J) is 4v. There were lots of them. Other bells that have the same tenon diameter such as from Conn sousaphones, could fit and be in tune but the bend in the stack would be such that you couldn't see in front of you.

The 21J/25J horn with the bell up is the 'premium' horn and could cost significantly more than a 20J/24J with recording bell. The upright bell goes for quite a handsome price and, if you have one to sell, you could get good money for it ($500/1200 depending on condition and the desire of someone else to own it.) Trading the upright bell for a recording bell plus some cash would be fairest to you.

The Big Ben wrote:

eli wrote:Will anything *other* than a Conn 24J bell work properly (i.e. in tune) on a 24J? The genesis of the question: I want a bell-front horn. If I were to buy a 25J (bell-up), could I substitute any other recording-style bell, or do I *have to* find a 24J bell? If I do use something else, what if anything would I lose in terms of pitch, tone, or volume?

It should be easy to find a Conn 20J/24J bell. They are the same horn only one (20J) is 3v and the other (24J) is 4v. There were lots of them. Other bells that have the same tenon diameter such as from Conn sousaphones, could fit and be in tune but the bend in the stack would be such that you couldn't see in front of you.

The 21J/25J horn with the bell up is the 'premium' horn and could cost significantly more than a 20J/24J with recording bell. The upright bell goes for quite a handsome price and, if you have one to sell, you could get good money for it ($500/1200 depending on condition and the desire of someone else to own it.) Trading the upright bell for a recording bell plus some cash would be fairest to you.

I would add that you should be absolutely sure you want to permanently have just a bell front horn. Once you sell/trade your upright bell, it will be VERY difficult to find another. BTW, the just bought a gorgeous 20J off the bay--can hardly wait for it to arrive!

JJ

eli wrote:

TubaTinker wrote:

eli wrote:Will anything *other* than a Conn 24J bell work properly (i.e. in tune) on a 24J? The genesis of the question: I want a bell-front horn. If I were to buy a 25J (bell-up), could I substitute any other recording-style bell, or do I *have to* find a 24J bell? If I do use something else, what if anything would I lose in terms of pitch, tone, or volume?

I'm sure there are bells out there that could be adapted but your best bet is to just buy a 2XJ recording bell. The upright one is the toughie to find.

So I'm guessing it might be easy to trade an upright bell for a recording bell even-even?

Absolutely.

Use the proper bell. If you find a bell that does fit that Conn, it is likely to mess with your intonation.

Plus the actual bells for these aren't rare and after market replacements are available, so you're in luck!

Please consider having both. I have both on my Miraphone 186 detachable variant. I have gigs both indoors and out, and of the indoor gigs, those with sound shells and those without, and I have used both bells, being able to play gigs that others with only one bell or the other don't sound good on.

Yes, please consider having both bells instead of selling one to get the other.

TubaD83, if the 20J you just bought is the one from jjjspider, WHAT a doll!! I tend to look for distressed but functional...

eli wrote:TubaD83, if the 20J you just bought is the one from jjjspider, WHAT a doll!! I tend to look for distressed but functional...

I just paid $450 for a 20J that was pretty beat up but the bell was pretty straight. So, they are available

Thanks all for the options and suggestions.

The Big Ben wrote:

eli wrote:TubaD83, if the 20J you just bought is the one from jjjspider, WHAT a doll!! I tend to look for distressed but functional...

I just paid $450 for a 20J that was pretty beat up but the bell was pretty straight. So, they are available

It is indeed that very one--very surprised noone had grabbed it sooner. Someone put in a lot of time and money to restore it. There have been some very decent looking 20Js showing up on the bay at pretty reasonable prices.

JJ

Hello eli, I have a Conn 2XJ forward bell and would prefer an upright bell, want to trade?

ken k

I don't own the 25J yet...

How much difference between the bell collars of the 2XJ tuba series and of the 20K sousaphone?

Klaus

imperialbari wrote:How much difference between the bell collars of the 2XJ tuba series and of the 20K sousaphone?

Klaus

Same size. But... the sousa bell is about 90 degrees. Making it near impossible to see around.

eli wrote:I don't own the 25J yet...

Well if and when you get it and you want to consider a trade let me know.

Feel free to email me or PM me.

thanks ken k