Conn 14k with Short Action Valves

[oscarcahue]

If the 14ks were so great & the short action valves were great.

Why aren't there many franken-14ks that have been modified with abundant 20k short action valve blocks?

I've only seen 1 ever online and they were asking like $6k for it.

[Kirley]

I have a friend who has a 32k (basically the same as a 14k) with a short action valve set. It's an awesome horn. Pretty sure Dick Akright from Best Repair in Oakland did it back in the 80's.

Are the 20k valve sets that abundant?

Also, are they that great? I have both. They're both good.

I do like the idea of a lighter horn. That's why I have a 22k (fiberglass). But I guess it'd be even lighter if I grafted its valves onto a 36k body.

[Kirley]

Check it out:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Conn-BBb-Helic ... 4049384603" target="_blank

Franken Heliconn with short action valves.

[Tubajug]

Check it out:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Conn-BBb-Helic ... 4049384603" target="_blank" target="_blank

Franken Heliconn with short action valves.

That was built by Tabor, a member of the board here.

[Dan Schultz]

I don't see much value of putting a short-action valveset on a 14K. First off... I don't think there is a glut of short-action valve sections.

Secondly... the bores are the same. The think that makes the 20K a more desirable horn (to me) is the fact that the bugle from beyond the valve section has a bigger taper and makes the horn better.

The 14K is a good player as it is and I don't think a SA valve section would do much for it other that perhaps better ergonomics.

[toobagrowl]

I like my old 14k as it is The only thing that would make it even better were if I could somehow add a trigger mechanism to the 2nd valve slide for the 1+2+3 combos. But I don't really have a desire to swap out the valveset for a short-action 20k valveset, even though I do think they are pretty nice and unique. Those short-action valvesets are achieved thru ovaled/'squashed' ports, though.

It is apparent to me that the 20k was made as a 'deluxe' sousa; the 14k was the old 'standard' or 'basic' model.
Not only was the 20k the larger bugle/bell collar size, but had the shoulder rest, fancier bracing, extra bow guards and of course the fancier short-action valveset. Some prefer the 20k, some prefer the 14k.

[Kirley]

The only thing that would make it even better were if I could somehow add a trigger mechanism to the 2nd valve slide for the 1+2+3 combos.

On my 22k I had the first valve upper loop turned into a slide. I believe a few other TubeNetters have done the same modification. It's in a very easy spot for tuning on the fly. Adding a trigger to the modified first valve would be quite a bit easier than the 2nd.

[oscarcahue]

I like my old 14k as it is The only thing that would make it even better were if I could somehow add a trigger mechanism to the 2nd valve slide for the 1+2+3 combos. But I don't really have a desire to swap out the valveset for a short-action 20k valveset, even though I do think they are pretty nice and unique. Those short-action valvesets are achieved thru ovaled/'squashed' ports, though.

It is apparent to me that the 20k was made as a 'deluxe' sousa; the 14k was the old 'standard' or 'basic' model.
Not only was the 20k the larger bugle/bell collar size, but had the shoulder rest, fancier bracing, extra bow guards and of course the fancier short-action valveset. Some prefer the 20k, some prefer the 14k.

Good Point but how about in the case of my 32k?
Has the shoulder rest, fancier bracing, bow guards, lighter & punchier than the 20k. Only feature it's short of is a set of Short action valves.
Just had me wondering why someone hadn't added the icing on the cake.

But as mentioned above. Some love them, other don't.

[oscarcahue]

I have a friend who has a 32k (basically the same as a 14k) with a short action valve set. It's an awesome horn. Pretty sure Dick Akright from Best Repair in Oakland did it back in the 80's.

Are the 20k valve sets that abundant?

Also, are they that great? I have both. They're both good.

I do like the idea of a lighter horn. That's why I have a 22k (fiberglass). But I guess it'd be even lighter if I grafted its valves onto a 36k body.

Maybe should have said Readily available instead of abundant lol. Given that the 20k is in production. And busted 20ks & 22ks are available.
But i was under a misconception.
I assumed that because there are more 20ks than 14ks out on the market. That there were more 22ks than 36ks; but from reading thru the forum. 22ks are rare? 36k was more common?

[toobagrowl]

On my 22k I had the first valve upper loop turned into a slide. I believe a few other TubeNetters have done the same modification. It's in a very easy spot for tuning on the fly. Adding a trigger to the modified first valve would be quite a bit easier than the 2nd.

Well first you have to convert the upper 1st valve loop into a moveable slide, then figure out how to add a spring-loaded thumb-activated trigger to it. If I were to even add a trigger; I'd still prefer to attach it to the 2nd valve slide as it is already there; the trigger mechanism would still need to be 'figured out' no matter what slide you use. At this point I'm just keeping the sousa as-is and have my slides set to compromise positions and lip down those 1+2+3 combos when in play.

Good Point but how about in the case of my 32k?
Has the shoulder rest, fancier bracing, bow guards, lighter & punchier than the 20k. Only feature it's short of is a set of Short action valves.
Just had me wondering why someone hadn't added the icing on the cake.

But as mentioned above. Some love them, other don't.

I see that you have the older Conn 32k and H.N. White (King) 1250 sousas. The 32k was the older, fancier version of the 14k; like how the 1250 was the older, fancier version of the 2350. Take good care of those sousas because they are classics and not made anymore

I think when the 14k came out and replaced the 32k, it became the 'standard' model, while the 20k was the 'deluxe' model, and the fiberglass 36k became the 'economy' or 'budget' model.