Conn

USStuba04 · Post by **USStuba04** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:33 pm

i was wondering what you guys thought of the 52 , 54 , 56 j horns...

how much difference in sound do you think the different bells make????

Mudman · Post by **Mudman** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:42 pm

If you buy one, the first thing you should do is have nylon valve-guides installed. It is an inexpensive modification and will be like having a whole different instrument. (No way I would have thought about recording solos or quintet music with the metal valve-guides in = very clanky.)

I love my 52J, but admittedly I am a bass trombonist first with tuba as a double. Intonation is good and all slides are easy to reach. Intonation is comparable to my Miraphone 184 CC, with the exception of a slightly flat top-space G on the Conn.

I've used it in a professional brass quintet and recieved a good deal of positive feedback about having the right weight (not woofy). With the right mouthpiece, you can easily put out enough sound to support a mid-sized orchestra.

Like most posts of this nature, you will probably hear a bunch of cheerleading from people who own whatever brand is being discussed.

The best thing you could do is try out a bunch of horns in front of somebody who has good ears and experience.

Cheers,

Mudman

JayW · Post by **JayW** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:28 pm

I personally own a 52J , that I bought from Kyle Turner while he was playing with the Ny Philharmonic...... He had gone to the 54J which definitely gave a little bigger sound. I have never really spent time with the 56J but would guess that the bell sizes do matter....but probably not as much as mouthpiece choice and just the overall quality of the individual instrument, since the conns as much as I love mine "do not seem to be created equal" from horn to horn

Duane · Post by **Duane** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 8:36 pm

The 52J is a great solo horn is a great solo and small ensemble horn. One thing I like about the Conn. is that the pistons are 1in wide with a 7/8 in stroke. I would recommend calling Matt at Dillon music(732 634 - 3399) and asking what he has. It is also has very even registers. Matt built the prototype Conn. and tweaks them quite well.

Ps., I like mine.

Duane · Post by **Duane** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 8:37 pm

The 52J is a great solo horn is a great solo and small ensemble horn. One thing I like about the Conn. is that the pistons are 1in wide with a 7/8 in stroke. I would recommend calling Matt at Dillon music(732 634 - 3399) and asking what he has. It is also has very even registers. Matt built the prototype Conn. and tweaks them quite well.

Ps., I like mine.