20J as Budget BAT

[pittbassdaddy]

For what I paid for it, my 20j is the best horn I could ask for. Its not perfect, cosmetically or ergonomically, but it has the sound that I want from an inexpensive Bb tuba.

[MileMarkerZero]

I learned to play the tuba on a 20j when I was in 9th grade. If I could find a 4-banger on the cheap, I'd seriously consider it. Yes, they can be played very musically. If you have the breath control to play a pp on a 20j, you can do it on any horn. As I remember it, the 20j I played had as good or better dynamic possibilities as any horn I've played without sacrificing any tone quality. In addition, it's an easy blow at the big dynamics - it's really efficient at making the conductor's face bleed. For me, I like the big Conns better then the big Holtons in terms of being able to play them with a large dynamic range. The big Holtons seem to suck the breath out of you, where the Conns seem to allow you to be a little more relaxed.

Dick Maloof did a really good job with a big ol' Martin...same concept, different maker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WCMzRLov58

[WakinAZ]

OK, 2Xj fanboys/girls, what are you plugging into these monsters, mouthpiece-wise? I've no complaints so far with a regulation, recent vintage Conn Helleberg...

Cool clip MMZ. I happened to catch a version of "When Yuba Play the Rhumba on the Tuba" on a Welk rerun a while back. Guy with a good bass/baritone voice did most of the melody though... Looked like the same tuba player, about the same era.

Eric "who may or may not have recently purchased the elusive up-bell from a TubeNet sponsor in Seattle" L.

[tubatom91]

PT-88, sometimes a Pt-36. Both work real good

[TUbajohn20J]

I use a PT-48 and a helleburg mostly, and a Conn 2 for high stuff and they all work great.

[TUBAD83]

I use my Bach 7 and it works great - I would use my bayamo but don't want to risk turning my 20J into a "band killing tuba from Hell" Gotta make sure it plays well with others!

JJ

[WakinAZ]

Yeah, I don't want to try anything bigger until I see how much I am overpowering the rest of the section when concert season starts up. The horn, bore and bell are so stinkin' huge, it really doesn't seem to need a large mouthpiece so far. Once I get comfortable with the response, etc., I may start experimenting a bit...

Eric "who expects to see 'the hand' more this season" L.