Conn mpc. specs?

[jon112780]

Does anybody have the specs for the 'old style' (curved and sloped on the outside) Conn tuba mouthpieces? perhaps the inside/outside diameter and the bore? I have always wanted to try one of these, and I think they are numbered (?) 1, 2, and 3. I saw one of these recently, but didn't get a chance to play it.

[TubaRay]

I'd be interested in hearing the answer to the above question, and specs on the Helleberg mouthpieces, too.

[cjk]

I have Conn 1, 2, and 3, a set of calipers, and a set of both fractional and letter drill bits, so I measured. The throat measurements are pretty accurate. It's not exactly standard where you're supposed to measure the inside of the cup, so somebody else might get different measurements. Consider those just to be "in the ballpark".

The Conn 1 is the same as a Conn Chief except for a different exterior. I measured both. The inner dimension is around 32.7mm (1.287") and the throat is around 9 mm (.358"). A machinist's "S" (8.839mm, .348") drill bit is pretty loose, but a "T" (9.093mm, .358") is very tight. I'm guessing the throat is around .355". External diameter for the Conn 1 is 49.77mm (1.959") and the Conn Chief is 49.52mm (1.95").

The Conn 2 is pretty much the same as a Conn Helleberg 7B, but I think the rim might be more rounded. I don't have a 7B for comparison so I can't say for sure. It's extremely similar to the smaller 1930's (?) Hellebergs. The inner dimension is around 31.6mm (1.244") and the throat is 8.334mm (.328"). A 21/64" bit is a perfect fit. External diameter is 48mm (1.89").

My particular 1930's Conn Helleberg is 31.5mm (1.240") and the throat is 8.334mm (.328"). A 21/64" bit is a perfect fit. External diameter is 47.5mm (1.87").

The Conn 3 is a quite a bit shallower than a Conn 2. I figure it probably came with an E-flat tuba. Inner dimension is around 30.5mm (1.201") and the throat is 8.7313mm (.34375"). An 11/32" drill bit is a near perfect fit. External diameter is 49.4mm (1.945").

I know that nobody asked (but it's the only old Conn mouthpiece I have that I hadn't measured yet) a Conn Geib is 33.1mm (1.303") and the throat is 7.9375mm (.3125"). A 5/16" drill bit is a perfect fit. External diameter is 46.7mm (1.839").


I hope this helps,

--Christian

[TubaRay]

Thanks, Christian. That's the first time I have seen such detailed information about Conn mouthpieces.

[jon112780]

Wow! Thanks for all the information

[Donn]

The Conn 2 is pretty much the same as a Conn Helleberg 7B, but I think the rim might be more rounded. I don't have a 7B for comparison so I can't say for sure.

I have both, and can support that. There might be a very slight difference in the contour close to the throat.

Nice write up, makes me wonder if Tubenet should have a Bureau of Weights and Measurements forum that could collect stuff like this for posterity.

[hbcrandy]

The Conn 3 is a quite a bit shallower than a Conn 2. I figure it probably came with an E-flat tuba. Inner dimension is around 30.5mm (1.201") and the throat is 8.7313mm (.34375"). An 11/32" drill bit is a near perfect fit. External diameter is 49.4mm (1.945").

To add to the description of the Conn 3, it has a smaller shank that conforms with older, American Eb tubas. I built an adapter to make it fit a full-sized, modern American tuba. The Conn 3 is a great solo mouthpiece. I played an entire solo recital on it. It worked beautifully.

Also, there is a Conn 4 mouthpiece. It is a slightly smaller version of the Conn 3 with the small shank. I have one but I cannot put my hands on it right now.

There are a lot of publications with mouthpiece specifcations and player's descriptions of what the mouthpiece does or does not do. From years of brass playing experience, I have found that, when considering a mouthpiece, IGNORE the writtens specs and descriptions. They will drive you crazy. Try a mouthpiece with NO preconceived notions. See how it plays for you. Ignore the numbers and other person's thoughts. All instruments and players are different. There are many mouthpieces made for many different physical types of players. What does not work for somone else, may work beautifully for you. Keep an open mind.

[Donn]

To add to the description of the Conn 3, it has a smaller shank that conforms with older, American Eb tubas. I built an adapter to make it fit a full-sized, modern American tuba. The Conn 3 is a great solo mouthpiece. I played an entire solo recital on it. It worked beautifully.

Mine has a standard shank, though, so you can't count on that. (It also has an unexpectedly large throat, visibly larger than my 2 or 7B. I imagine this is a customization or manufacturing error, but would be interesting to hear if others are seeing the same.)

It would be nice to see a copy of this mouthpiece on the market. Conn/UMI/whatever doesn't make it, they're not commonly available used (let alone in good condition) and I don't know of anything else like it. I guess the closest would be Schilke 62, but that's still not very close.

[cjk]

To add to the description of the Conn 3, it has a smaller shank that conforms with older, American Eb tubas. I built an adapter to make it fit a full-sized, modern American tuba. The Conn 3 is a great solo mouthpiece. I played an entire solo recital on it. It worked beautifully.

Mine has a standard shank, though, so you can't count on that. (It also has an unexpectedly large throat, visibly larger than my 2 or 7B. I imagine this is a customization or manufacturing error, but would be interesting to hear if others are seeing the same.)
....

My Conn 3, like Donn's, also has a standard American shank and a very large throat (8.7313mm (.34375")). I'm pretty sure mine has not been modified in any way.

Also, there is a Conn 4 mouthpiece. It is a slightly smaller version of the Conn 3 with the small shank. I have one but I cannot put my hands on it right now.

I would be interested in acquiring a Conn 4 tuba mouthpiece. I didn't really know there was such a thing. I've heard there is, but every Conn 4 I've seen so far has ended up being a trombone mouthpiece.

[Sylvano]

My old Conn 4 is a very small funnel shaped mouthpiece.

[TUbajohn20J]

I sometimes use my Conn 2 on the 20J and it sounds very nice. I use it on the sousa too when i want to crank out some loud stuff!!