60's Conn Eb...

Matt G · Post by **Matt G** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:19 am

Well Joe, i haven't cut any horns but...

This horn has little market value and would accumulate more value being cut if it were a good F.

Then you could be the lead designer in the new Conn F tuba!

It does look to be pretty easy as a good bit of the upfront tubing is fairly cylindrical.

I am assuming you would build your own valveset for the horn, as under .700 bore four-valve sets are fairly tough to find. From looking at the horn's branches, bows, and bell, I would be pron to think it would have a bit more projection than the YFB-822.

Go ahead and take the chance, Joe!

cjk · Post by **cjk** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:37 am

under .700 bore four-valve sets are fairly tough to find.

Nah. .687 valvesets can be harvested from beat up King Sousies and 2341/1241 BBb tubas. .650ish ones could be torn from Olds 0-99, Reynolds TB-10, Conn 5j.

Go for it Bloke!

Philip Jensen · Post by **Philip Jensen** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:51 am

Hey Joe,

Or could it be converted to a "professional" quality Eb?. Something with 5 valves or 4 plus a tuning slide kicker.

I'm starting to look around for a new Eb with purchase plans in a year of so. My problem is I really love the sound of my little 1920 Holton (not the intonation though), but nobody makes anything similar anymore. They are all 4/4 or 5/4. I've tried the Bessons and the MW so far and while very nice, not the sound I'm looking for.

I hope to make it to TUSAB this Jan. to try all the Eb's I can lay my hands on.

Based on what I've played so far though, I'm thinking I may end up buying an old horn and having it modified to my tastes - IF I could find one with good scale. So I've been keeping an eye out for and old 3 valver that might fit the bill, and I find your comments on the 60's Conn Eb interesting.

Do you think this would be reasonable? Any other thoughts? Anybody?

Philip "whose happy to see quality Eb's in the market, but unfortunately haven't found one with the right sound for me" Jensen

Alex C · Post by **Alex C** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:55 am

I cut one to an F in the early 80's.

I couldn't find a four valve block so I took a three valve block from a sousaphone, scavenged a valve from another, then had a tech silver-solder them together.

I did not cut any of the big branches but was able to cut most of the tubing from the area of tuning slide. I even had to shorten the ferrules on the tuning slide and making a shorter leadpipe (which I got from Allied). The tuning slide pull was short. Too short for comfort.

It looked ugly but had a nice singing tone. The low register was the pits and intonation was not good. I ended up giving it to a student who wanted to learn F tuba.

That was my last attempt a cutting a horn.