Hey guys. So a few years back I got an old Conn Eb to meddle in the bass world with. It's old and worn but it was cheap and I think might clean up ok.
I'd like to get a positive ID so I can make sure I'm referring to it correctly. Judging by the size and configuration I think it's an 18j giant Eb 3 valve made in 1919. But when I look up 18js I find a lot of different horns (top/side action, 3/4 valve) so I want to make sure this is correct.
Also how does one determine if it's a high or low pitch? I'm guessing you can judge by playing an open note and seeing what comes out but I'm not sure what should exactly come out in the first place What all does high and low pitch effect?
Thanks guys. As you can tell this is my first hand in the bass world so please bear with my ignorance.
I have a horn just like this. Best I can tell it is a 19J, but I have questioned that several times. Mine is low pitched and even after I had some of the main tuning slide cut off, it's still low- I guess I didn't get enough. It's a fun horn to play as long as it's above a low C. Below that it is a total mess. I've tired all kinds of mouthpieces to help with the lower register but haven't come up with anything that works. As to your question, if you sit down with a tuner and play "open" notes you should get a low Eb (below staff), Bb, Eb, G, Bb (above staff), etc. Good luck!
Patrick
Patrick Haymore
-----------------------
B&S PT-22 Eb
andrew the tuba player wrote:Would getting a low Eb as the "base" note make it a low pitch?
And note should you get if it's a high pitch?
Low and high pitched simply refers to the tuning. I don't know the numbers, but for a low pitch, the horn was set to have Eb be below 440 and high would have it above (so as to accommodate different ensembles as everyone hadn't agreed on tuning--some still don't).
So, you'll get an Eb either way, but it might be too low with the slide in to get it up to pitch. Others who know more about this practice can give you more specifics.
Robert S. Pratt
B.M., M.M. Tuba Performance
Getzen G60 prototype
Conn recycled models numbers over the years, which is the reason you have found very different models with identical model designations.
With many models there were low pitch and high pitch versions, which were given adjacent model numbers. The only sample I remember right now is the low pitch 40K versus the high pitch 41K, both 4 pistons BBb sousaphones.
If this present Eb tuba is from one of the double models, pitchwise, my immediate take would be that it is the high pitch version simply because I see no obvious way to shorten it. With a low pitch version I would have expected a longer main tuning slide. Or maybe longer pieces of tubing above the receivers for the main tuning slide.
Whether this tuba ever will be well in pitch with itself over a wide range might be doubtful, but if it really is a high-pitch sample, lowering it by lengthening the main tuning slide should not be too difficult.
Conn recycled models numbers over the years, which is the reason you have found very different models with identical model designations.
With many models there were low pitch and high pitch versions, which were given adjacent model numbers. The only sample I remember right now is the low pitch 40K versus the high pitch 41K, both 4 pistons BBb sousaphones.
If this present Eb tuba is from one of the double models, pitchwise, my immediate take would be that it is the high pitch version simply because I see no obvious way to shorten it. With a low pitch version I would have expected a longer main tuning slide. Or maybe longer pieces of tubing above the receivers for the main tuning slide.
Whether this tuba ever will be well in pitch with itself over a wide range might be doubtful, but if it really is a high-pitch sample, lowering it by lengthening the main tuning slide should not be too difficult.
Looks to me to be an 18J, a Low Pitch horn. Play a 2nd valve A and a tuner will read that you're flat. If it shows instead that you're way sharp, it's a 19J without the Low Pitch extensions installed.
The 19J would have come equipped with extensions for the main tuning slide, or a longer accessory tuning slide. to bring it down to Low Pitch if desired. It can be seen in your photo that no extensions are in place, and the tuning slide receiver meets up with a normal sized ferrule--the low pitch slide would have had a very long ferrule to add the extra inches needed to bring the tuba down to LP.
What all does high and low pitch effect? 
