15J leadpipe

[sailn2ba]

Where would I get a leadpipe for a Conn 15J BBb? Is it something I can just plug in, or does it require professional installation?

[tubaguy9]

A pro would have to install it...it's not just a "plug and play" job. There'd be a lot of solder work involved, which would be hard for a DIY'er.

[sailn2ba]

Thanks, . . OK, now where do I get one?

[sailn2ba]

Or. . . could I play the horn with a few sousaphone bits? . . just to check it out.

[Dan Schultz]

A Conn 15J is a convertible tuba. Unless the leadpipe has been 'ripped out by the roots', it could be an easy matter to fix provided it's less than 20 or so years old.

However.... before you go shopping for parts, be fully aware that there are TWO tubas out there called 15J. The original Conn 15J that we all know and love was changed to the King 1140 configuration when UMI bought Conn and King a few decades ago. They are easy to identify... the ORIGINAL Conn 15J was a front-action tuba and the NEW Conn 15J is a top-action tuba.

I think you'll find that there are no parts resources for the ORIGINAL Conn 15J horns. If you have one of these horns, your repairman can bend a new leadpipe from a stock straight one.

[sailn2ba]

Thanks, folks. I lucked out and have been outbid. The photos looked like the horn had a leadpipe and receiver. The description said that the valves and slides worked, but the horn was unplayable without a leadpipe. It's cheap, but not my cup of tea.

[Dan Schultz]

Thanks, folks. I lucked out and have been outbid. The photos looked like the horn had a leadpipe and receiver. The description said that the valves and slides worked, but the horn was unplayable without a leadpipe. It's cheap, but not my cup of tea.

If you are speaking of item number 220404178815.... Yes, it is an old style Conn 15J. It doesn't appear to need much more than a little dent removal on that existing leadpipe to make it playable. Might be a good buy. Those horns generally play pretty good.