Grand Orchestral Tuba

NDSPTuba · Post by **NDSPTuba** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:17 pm

I'm kinda keeping an eye out for the same thing. But I have to have front valves, can't deal with the top valve action. If you can handle playing on top valve action tubas, that would open up your options significantly. Conn 20J, 21J, 24J, 25J, and 34J are all BATs in BBb. The only one that does come in a front valve variety that I've ever seen is the 34J. Dillons has a couple front valve BBb BATs in the used tubas, i've read on here though that the 34J is disappointing from some that have played it. the 20 and 21J's are 3 valvers, and the 24 and 25J's are 4 valves.

Frank Ortega · Post by **Frank Ortega** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:27 pm

There was one at Dillon's last time I checked.

Frank

k001k47 · Post by **k001k47** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:27 pm

http://www.dillonmusic.com/HeleoCart/Pr ... 89884.aspx

Good price.
I belive there's also a silver-plated one in baltimore brass right now.

eupher61 · Post by **eupher61** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 6:00 pm

Brian, if it had 4 valves it's NOT a 20-J...it's a 24-J.

That's the Conn definition.

Rick Denney · Post by **Rick Denney** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:42 pm

KiltieTuba wrote:I am looking at buying one of those Grand Orchestral tubas by CG Conn. the 6/4 size with the 22 inch bell. Anyone played one of these or have comments on this proposed idea?

I think it will suit my needs: BBb, BAT, mostly large band to support, an old instrument.

A note on nomenclature: Conn's name for the 34J/36J BATs from (primarily) the 20's and 30's was "Orchestra Grand Bass". "Grand Orchestral" is a more general term that applies to 6/4 front-action piston tubas, of which recording basses and top-action instruments like the 2xJ are not examples. But, of course, the terms mean what people think they mean.

I have played several of the 34J Orchestra Grand Bass tubas currently on the used market, and my suggestion is to play them before making a decision. They vary dramatically.

Rick "who expects to play F using 1-3 on these tubas" Denney

TUbajohn20J · Post by **TUbajohn20J** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:17 pm

That grand orchestral at dillons looks like a good horn. Also if you find a Conn 22J or 23J GET IT!! those are the front valve versions of the 20j..

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:21 pm

goodgigs wrote:... There is such a thing as a front action short stroke 20 J Conn tuba as I also sat next to a guy who has one of those too.

Not the 20J.... but... there was a 2XJ with front-action short-stroke pistons. Specifically, the 22J. Here:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~cderksen/Conn22J1934image.html

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:12 am

The front action 2XJs never seem to show up much in the used market, must be pretty rare.

Check out the Kanstul 5/4 on tubameister.com, seems like a good deal for a big American-style horn that is probably tip-top mechanically.

Eric "who finds the prices for the 70 year old Conn BBb Grand Orchestrals on the retail sites a bit rich, hope those valves are nice and tight" L.

trseaman · Post by **trseaman** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 4:38 am

And why is it that the Conn 36J's and Holton 345's are so hard to find??? Low production numbers? People are just holding to what they have? They're locked away in school basements? They hardly ever come up for sale...

Tim

Bob Sacchi · Post by **Bob Sacchi** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:41 pm

I used to own a very nice Conn 36J (BBb Orchestral Grand Bass). Unfortunately, I had some money troubles (you've all heard the story) and had to sell it.

A few years back, I tracked it down to a fellow named Dave Roberts, in Florida. After contacting him, he agreed that if he ever were to sell it, that he would let me know first. Well, you can probably guess that he sold it without telling me. Furthermore, when I asked where it went, he "forgot" who he sold it to, so its whereabouts today are unknown to me.

It was a very good playing horn. The only real trouble I had with it was the F at the bottom of the staff (3rd partial) was quite flat. Normally, I would play that note 1-3, and all would be OK.

I replaced the bell with a Meinl Weston 2160 bell, which helped it play somewhat better, and it is easily recognizeable by a quite ornate upside down engraving on the bell.

The moral of the story is - if you have a horn that you really love, don't let it go......unless you have something more important to do, like eat and put a roof over your head.

Bob Sacchi

PS: I'd really like to post a photo here, but I need help in how to do it......

Bob Sacchi · Post by **Bob Sacchi** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:10 pm

My first try at posting a picture (keep your fingers crossed)

Bob Sacchi

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:10 pm

Bob Sacchi wrote:PS: I'd really like to post a photo here, but I need help in how to do it......

Wade's step by step by step, even a tuba player can follow this... viewtopic.php?t=17959

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:15 pm

Cleaned up your code, matey -

Just click on the IMG code link below your photobucket photo, then paste it into your post, preview and .... nice horn, drool.

Bob Sacchi · Post by **Bob Sacchi** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:16 pm

Bob Sacchi · Post by **Bob Sacchi** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:18 pm

Hey, how'd you get the picture to appear? (when I did it, all I got was a link).

Bob

eupher61 · Post by **eupher61** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:19 pm

well, Bob, at least the link works, even if it didn't imbed. I tried it too, didn't take for some reason. Cool tuba!!!

Bob Sacchi · Post by **Bob Sacchi** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:19 pm

Ah.....I now see the light!

Yes, it was a good player, too - I wish I knew where it is now.

Thank you so much for bearing with me on this....

Bob

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:24 pm

Right-click on your pic above, select Properties and then you can see what I edited out of the address/code. Again, the easy way is to left-click once on the IMG code link below your photobucket photo while you are looking at it in your photobucket album, then paste it into your post, preview and .... you can practice by sending yourself PMs through this forum. Review Wade's instructions again when you have time, he really breaks it down.

Eric "not really into all this stuff either" L.

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:26 pm

Love the European style (lack of) bell flare - all business.

Bob Sacchi · Post by **Bob Sacchi** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:41 pm

TubeNet

Grand Orchestral Tuba

Conn Orch Grand

Re: Grand Orchestral Tuba

Re: grand orcestral

Conn Orchestral Grand