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I ma bass bonist, my friend is needing to get his own tuba, he wants to start on the double "c", Im not too familiar with these terms, but he is looking for a Conn double "c" tuba in the price range between $3000-5000.Can yall clue me in and help me find a great tuba for this friend of mine?

There are two options, I think... they are the 2J/3J or the newer 52J/54J/56J. The 2J/3J are no longer in production. You could buy one used, but in good condition, for about $2000-$3000 USD. They are hard to find though, sometimes they show up on ebay.

The 3J's tend to be a little better than the 2J's. The 3J has a larger bell than the 2J... but the bore size is the same (quite small actually). The 3J tends to be a better built tuba.

The 5xJ tubas are newer, and go for about $7000 brand new (from Woodwind and Brasswind). They have financing for one year no interest, so maybe that would allow your friend to put together an extra $2000. You probably won't find one used, that is quite rare.

There aren't many differences between the 5xJ tubas. The bore sizes are the same (small again). The 56J has a 20 inch bell, the 54J has a 19 inch bell and the 52J has an 18 inch bell. I think the 56J bell tends to be a bit unproportionate to the rest of the tuba...

All these tubas have a smaller sound (although their are sized a 4/4, the sound is often considered to be comparable to 3/4 sized tubas) and have small bores. They are excellent horns for solo and quintet work (as well as high orchestral work). They just don't pack enough punch for a large band or symphony orchestra, in my opinion.

I hope your friend will be open to other brands, as Conn is not necessarily the best way to go! Try a bunch of different brands, some people love Conns and some people hate them. Perhaps your friend's true love lies elswhere...

Best of luck!

I think that the conn 56j is the most amazing tuba ever, especially if you get one with the satin finish. I play on one right now and i wouldnt sell it for anything in the world. If i were you i would try one out.


Sawyer Davis
"Mansfield Windsymphony"

summittubaline08 wrote:I think that the conn 56j is the most amazing tuba ever, especially if you get one with the satin finish.

Do the lacquer ones sound different from the satin finish ones?

I received this email a couple days ago... looks kinda sketch. What do you guys think?

I have a 1929 Conn Donatelli CC for sale. Four pistons and I had a correct bore fifth valve
added. The valve section was re-fitted by Anderson's. Intonation is outstanding, sound is
beautiful and powerful. Few dents, raw brass. It is comparable in size to the Miraphone 1291
CC. Asking$6000.

http://www.bassclefbrass.com/
There is a conn 2J posted there a few weeks back

summittubaline08 wrote:I think that the conn 56j is the most amazing tuba ever, especially if you get one with the satin finish. I play on one right now and i wouldnt sell it for anything in the world. If i were you i would try one out.


Sawyer Davis
"Mansfield Windsymphony"

Did you happen to buy that from Brendan Pusie?

No i didnt buy it from him. I bought mine from a guy out in Tyler,Texas.





Sawyer Davis
"Mansfield Windsymphony"
www.mansfieldwindsymphony.org