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I'm thinking of trying out a Conn 3J, but I've played an Olds Fullerton 0-99 BBb, and thought it was a mediocre horn. Would a Conn 3J be significantly better? I don't want to go through the trouble of taking a trip to play test a Conn 3J if it's anything like the Olds.

The Tuba Fish wrote:Would a Conn 3J be significantly better?

imho, no.

The Tuba Fish wrote:I'm thinking of trying out a Conn 3J, but I've played an Olds Fullerton 0-99 BBb, and thought it was a mediocre horn. Would a Conn 3J be significantly better? I don't want to go through the trouble of taking a trip to play test a Conn 3J if it's anything like the Olds.

If you are interested in a 3J, I suggest you go and give it a toot. The 3J and the 099 appear to have come off the same drawing board but they are not the same. Some say Olds built the CC for Conn and others say that is a bunch of hooey. They do look that at least the same person designed them. Any 3J CC you find most likely would never have been dragged through a jr. high band room. People who want to play a CC horn would generally take good care of it.

Any Olds 099 BBb you find has probably been beaten in and pushed out a dozen times and the valves could be leaky- simply from hard use. I have an 099-4v and I like it. Mine has had a fresh Oberloh valve job and a bunch of dents repaired and plays well. A number of people who are much better players than I have remarked about the great low end flexibility when they gave it a play. I use a Helleburg but others have plugged mouthpieces of their choice in the receiver and it still sounded great. I think mine is a refugee from a JH bandroom and parts of it are kind of rough but it does play well. I want to upgrade the cosmetics because everyone likes something shiny and smooth, you know!

The Olds you played could have been worn out. Go ahead... Live large... Have a little fun... Go try out the 3J.

The Tuba Fish wrote:...but I've played an Olds Fullerton 0-99 BBb, and thought it was a mediocre horn.

Considering the age of the horn, dents, leaks, piston wear, and valve alignment could play a big role in how well it does or doesn't play.

My O-99 played like crap before bloke o-hauled it. Now it is a totally different horn. I love it.