a question about currently-manufactured American tubas

[SousaSaver]

From what I understand, Conn doesn't make the 5XJ Tubas anymore. I think the only Tubas you can get from Conn are the smaller bore 12J and 5J Tubas, which if I remember correctly are manufactured in the Eastlake, OH facility.

The King 2341 has a .687" bore, the Conn's are smaller then that.

Kanstul has some larger bore selections, but the price is a bit higher.

ALL Conn/King Sousas (except 20K) are now .687" bore. The 20K is still .734".

For what it's worth...

[The Big Ben]

From what I understand, Conn doesn't make the 5XJ Tubas anymore. I think the only Tubas you can get from Conn are the smaller bore 12J and 5J Tubas, which if I remember correctly are manufactured in the Eastlake, OH facility.

The King 2341 has a .687" bore, the Conn's are smaller then that.

Kanstul has some larger bore selections, but the price is a bit higher.

ALL Conn/King Sousas (except 20K) are now .687" bore. The 20K is still .734".

For what it's worth...

Bloke's question is 'why' did C-S make these decisions? They had a large bore valveset designed and tooled-why didn't they use it?

To me, it would seem, with the 'modular' construction of the 2341 valve section, C-S could offer the choice of large or small bore depending on the needs of the purchaser.

[SousaSaver]

From what I understand, Conn doesn't make the 5XJ Tubas anymore. I think the only Tubas you can get from Conn are the smaller bore 12J and 5J Tubas, which if I remember correctly are manufactured in the Eastlake, OH facility.

The King 2341 has a .687" bore, the Conn's are smaller then that.

Kanstul has some larger bore selections, but the price is a bit higher.

ALL Conn/King Sousas (except 20K) are now .687" bore. The 20K is still .734".

For what it's worth...

Bloke's question is 'why' did C-S make these decisions? They had a large bore valveset designed and tooled-why didn't they use it?

To me, it would seem, with the 'modular' construction of the 2341 valve section, C-S could offer the choice of large or small bore depending on the needs of the purchaser.

The short answer is because that has been the design on those particular models for many, many years. That doesn't mean they wouldn't change it. The 14K, when moved to Eastlake production is now just a King stencil. If you want a larger bore, just buy the larger bore horn.

[ASTuba]

Since I work for Conn-Selmer (not in Marketing and Product Design), I'll chime in by saying that yes, the 5XJ series of tubas is discontinued, right now. We're exploring our options in the tuba market and hopefully will be back in the tuba world in the next bit. Can't really give away details yet, but we will be bringing back the classic, big, American tuba.

[SousaSaver]

It makes sense that they would offer smaller bore Tubas. If they are selling to mostly schools, smaller bore Tubas might be better for younger players who might not be able to get a great sound on a Tuba with a large bore.

[Adam C.]

Since I work for Conn-Selmer (not in Marketing and Product Design), I'll chime in by saying that yes, the 5XJ series of tubas is discontinued, right now. We're exploring our options in the tuba market and hopefully will be back in the tuba world in the next bit. Can't really give away details yet, but we will be bringing back the classic, big, American tuba.

Now THAT is good news.

[SousaSaver]

The mothballed Bundy sousaphone (tooling owned by Conn-Selmer) had the same bore as Yamaha and Weril sousaphone - ' nearly as big a bore as the 20K sousaphone. Even if they have long-discarded the tooling for the original 38K/14K/32K (et al) large-bore "long action" valve blocks, Conn-Selmer SHOULD still have that Bundy sousaphone tooling.

I don't think that Bundy Sousas were manufactured domestically:

http://www.horn-u-copia.net/display.php ... 22Bundy%22

Unless you mean the fiberglass model that they sold under the Bach banner, which has a .687 bore and a 26 inch bell. I never understood the purpose of that gold paint...

[lowpitchmoravian]

nao tem graca

[Dan Schultz]

The mothballed Bundy sousaphone (tooling owned by Conn-Selmer) had the same bore as Yamaha and Weril sousaphone - ' nearly as big a bore as the 20K sousaphone. Even if they have long-discarded the tooling for the original 38K/14K/32K (et al) large-bore "long action" valve blocks, Conn-Selmer SHOULD still have that Bundy sousaphone tooling.

I don't think that Bundy Sousas were manufactured domestically:

http://www.horn-u-copia.net/display.php ... 22Bundy%22

Unless you mean the fiberglass model that they sold under the Bach banner, which has a .687 bore and a 26 inch bell. I never understood the purpose of that gold paint...

I have two of the Bundy/Selmer 'commode-O-phones' here... one which I painted red, white, and blue to entertain ten-year-olds. They have a .731" bore. Good horns! I think this is probably the same valve section that was on a 'frankentuba' that Jeopardy Master sold a couple of years ago. His had an add added 4th piston.

[Steve Inman]

nao tem graca

"Not funny" ?

[Steve Inman]

Since I work for Conn-Selmer (not in Marketing and Product Design), I'll chime in by saying that yes, the 5XJ series of tubas is discontinued, right now. We're exploring our options in the tuba market and hopefully will be back in the tuba world in the next bit. Can't really give away details yet, but we will be bringing back the classic, big, American tuba.

Since Joe's question seemed to be rhetorical (and more of a resigned complaint, to me), I vote ANDY'S reply as the "best answer" so far!

[iiipopes]

Since I work for Conn-Selmer (not in Marketing and Product Design), I'll chime in by saying that yes, the 5XJ series of tubas is discontinued, right now. We're exploring our options in the tuba market and hopefully will be back in the tuba world in the next bit. Can't really give away details yet, but we will be bringing back the classic, big, American tuba.

Hey, AST tuba: what a lot of us really all want is a decent priced, decent flared bell, decent intonation 4/4+ tuba, 4-valve with the .728 - 734 bore, with the body about a half-size larger than the King 2341, but not necessarily so huge as a 2XJ, for college and community band concert gigs -- somewhere in the middle of a triangle formed by a Donatelli CC, a 14K souzy, and a 2XJ. A slightly curved valve block (think HB or Gronitz) instead of just one offset would fit a lot more players as well.

[UTSAtuba]

Since I work for Conn-Selmer (not in Marketing and Product Design), I'll chime in by saying that yes, the 5XJ series of tubas is discontinued, right now. We're exploring our options in the tuba market and hopefully will be back in the tuba world in the next bit. Can't really give away details yet, but we will be bringing back the classic, big, American tuba.

Hey, AST tuba: what a lot of us really all want is a decent priced, decent flared bell, decent intonation 4/4+ tuba, 4-valve with the .728 - 734 bore, with the body about a half-size larger than the King 2341, but not necessarily so huge as a 2XJ, for college and community band concert gigs -- somewhere in the middle of a triangle formed by a Donatelli CC, a 14K souzy, and a 2XJ. A slightly curved valve block (think HB or Gronitz) instead of just one offset would fit a lot more players as well.

Agreed.

[SousaSaver]

I stand corrected Bloke. Thanks for letting me know. The Bundy/Selmer line is obviously one of the area I need to study more...

I hope the valve set isn't parallel to the bell, we don't need more of the same style (re: that one tuba that is copied everywhere).

Which model are you referring to?

[SousaSaver]

BUT THOSE ARE MY FAVORITE!!!!