My refurbished CONN 20J

tubatooter1940 · Post by **tubatooter1940** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 8:37 am

Congratulations sir, and thanks for the photos. You got a fine tuba and a Tamer.

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 10:42 am

Great-looking Conn. I notice that you are using a tuning bit. Few people know that these big Conns were originally shipped with one tuning bit.

GC · Post by GC » Sat Nov 24, 2007 12:12 am

Multiple threads.

Check out viewtopic.php?t=24664 for the explanation and pix.

WilliamVance · Post by **WilliamVance** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 12:16 am

Beautiful Beast! That bell is amazing.

KarlMarx · Post by **KarlMarx** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 2:51 am

Which workshop made the straight piece between the flare and the collar?

Were the measurements taken from a 21J?

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 3:09 am

So does that conversion mean the upright bell is larger diameter than normal?

imperialbari · Post by **imperialbari** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 3:48 am

Neptune wrote:So does that conversion mean the upright bell is larger diameter than normal?

According to the Conn Background Brass pages from a circa 1968 catalogue the 20J, 21J, 24J, and 25J all had 24" bells. PDF file may be found at the bottom of this page:

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Yo ... VII/files/

TUbajohn20J · Post by **TUbajohn20J** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 3:22 pm

Thanks for the comments. The shop that did the bell conversion was Borodi Music in Cleveland, Ohio. They did an amazing job. I dont know if they got the bell measurements from a 21J, as you can see..mine looks like it flares out more and the original up bell has a straighter bore. but either way it sounds amazing! and yes both forward and up bells are 24"

TUbajohn20J · Post by **TUbajohn20J** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 3:25 pm

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 10:10 pm

With results like that, I'm sure Borodi will be getting inquiries about some more conversions from at least a few TubeNetters.

Eric "who knows how hard it can be to find an up-bell, especially for a Conn" L.

CTAYLOR · Post by **CTAYLOR** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:21 am

NICE horn bro. I've never played on a 2xJ but have heard so many good things about them. I love that huge engraving. I wish I had a chance to get a horn like that.. no money though

TUbajohn20J · Post by **TUbajohn20J** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:00 pm

here is a short clip of me playing it..nothing fancy. just some old high school region try out music. (havent looked at this music in 3 years so I'm basically sightreading it)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ASBmM-xXmkA

and here is a short excerpt of the vaughan williams solo i did 2 years ago..(again, i havent practiced it in a while)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hNrhhPwOEGY&feature=related

The Big Ben · Post by **The Big Ben** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:38 pm

TUbajohn20J wrote:here is a short clip of me playing it..nothing fancy. just some old high school region try out music. (havent looked at this music in 3 years so I'm basically sightreading it)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ASBmM-xXmkA

and here is a short excerpt of the vaughan williams solo i did 2 years ago..(again, i havent practiced it in a while)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hNrhhPwOEGY&feature=related

The big boy sounds good! The upper register notes you played sounded in tune and those aren't really where the strength of the 20J is. Might be a good idea to get a strap to help hold it up- you were struggling with it some.

Keep up the playing and having fun!

TUbajohn20J · Post by **TUbajohn20J** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:21 pm

thanks. Yes I usually sit down and play I dont know why I decided to stand up. I was just kinda messing around with it.

John Caves · Post by **John Caves** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 2:53 am

A DEG tuba rest works well with a 20-J.