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What is (are) the difference(s) between the Conn 4J and 5J?

Thanks,

Bob

one J

one comedian (almost)

bloke wrote:Guessing (and not verifying with pictures) I'm going to say that one is proprietary-Conn-made and the other shares manufacturing specs with Olds and Reynolds.

So this would probably apply to the 2 and 3J as well? I've wondered the same thing.

Bell size?

I always thought that the 2J is in C, while both the 4J and 5J are in B flat.

Bloke, thanks for your answer. Do you recall which one is made from "totally Conn product", and which one is made from various makers parts?

And finally, is there any quality or sonic differences? Or is it simply a "UMI deal", where all the parts are made in the same factory anyway?

Thanks,

Bob

2j = Olds 099 in CC, 16ish inch bell
3j = small Conn CC, 18 inch bell
4j = Olds 099, 16ish inch bell
5j = small Conn BBb , 18 inch bell

Thanks, CJK. That clears up quite a few things.

Does anyone have any observations about differences in workmanship, playing qualities, etc.?

I've owned three 5J's as well as a three and a four valve Olds(which are basiclly 4J's). The three valve one was previously owned by Fred Pfaff and it was the better playing of the Olds horns. I've never played a 5J that I didn't like and they are incredibly consistant. I've probably played on at least 25 of them because the schools down here have alot of them and my wife is a teacher. They are built to last and have a unique sound. The Olds horns I've played are older and probably have had allignment issues but the thing that struck me about some was that they were almost impossible to overblow. The Fred Pfaff horn in particular would just open up and fill the room. He played it in the old Orlando Symphony and many of the longtime members have commented about his big sound. He had sold his big Conn by then. Dave Fedderly has one of each, mabye this is why you're asking? And they both have easily accessable first valve slides. Good luck. Ed

Bob Sacchi wrote:
Does anyone have any observations about differences in workmanship, playing qualities, etc.?

I've had a 5J about a month. Very pleased with it.

I've always been a little mystified by reading that this or that horn is "mouthpiece sensitive," because it seems the mouthpiece always makes a difference. But the 5J has shown me what this means. The mp makes a *big* difference, not a subtle one. With a blokepiece Solo #1, it sounds like a trombone. A deep mouthpiece is crucial to keep the sound... um... the way I like it most of the time. (Sometimes sounding like a trombone is a good thing, but it's not usually what I hope for, myself.) I've been enjoying it with the Symphony + a (new) medium helleberg rim.

I know someone with a 5J that is very sharp on the Eb in the staff. The Eb below the staff is fine, and the first-valve C is only a little bit flat, but that upper Eb needs about 2 inches of slide pull, or else the use of the 4th valve as an alternate fingering.
Anybody else run into anything like that?