Conn 26j, 24j or something else?

[Alfonz]

Recently bought a new tuba, but I´m not sure about the model or when it´s made? The engravings on the rim says 24j (very faint), 24, and then 26j.

IMAG0281-1-1.jpg

The serial number at a first glance looks like 302031, but if you look closely you can see that there is a 3 underneath the 2, so the number could also be 303031.

IMAG0277.jpg

Here is a picture of the instrument.

IMAG0287.jpg

The tuba is very big, has a big sound, and apart from some dents in a very good condition as far as I can tell. American tubas seem to be unusual here in Sweden so I would be grateful for any help.

[sousaphone68]

Congratulations on your new tuba it's condition looks good how does it play?
You maybe able to solve the serial number confusion by looking under the felts on the piston tops as Conn sometimes repeat the valve casing number on each piston.
My 26K Sousa has the number repeated on each piston.

[imperialbari]

Looks like a 26J from 1935.

http://www.musictrader.com/conn.html

[pjv]

I agree with Imperialbari; 1935 26J.
-Pat

[Dan Schultz]

The '24' is just an assembly number that matches the two pieces of the bell collar set.

'26J' is the model number.

Besides... a 24J would be a short-stroke, top-action horn.

Nice horn.

[Alfonz]

Thank you for the quick replies. I found the number on the pistons, it was 302031. The tuba sounds great and plays excellent. I actually bought it believing it was made in the 1980s. If the horn was made in 1935 I probably should try to get hold of some kind of gigbag.

[Dan Schultz]

According to the Conn Loyalist website... the 26J model number appears to have been a 'recycled' number:

26J #10½ Bore BBb Monster Top Action Bass Bell Up (three valves) - Low Pitch - 1919-1931 -
26J #11 Bore Artist Bell Front BBb Recording Bass (four valve front action) - 1937-1941 -

The serial number... according to published serial number lists... was made in late 1941 or early 1942.

With the above information... one could figure that your horn was one of the last ones made in late 1941.

Great looking horn! Don'tcha wish old tubas came with a written history?! The horn may have ended up in Europe with a military band.

[Gus_Pratt]

This horn would even be considered really rare in the United States. Great find.

[SwampYankeeTuba]

HI yes you have a 26J Conn , i own one just like it here in the US . good luck with your new tuba !! i hope you enjoy it !

[Alfonz]

I guess I was lucky then, just bought it because it sounded good and looked right for my band. Anyone knows if they still make gig bags for recording bell tubas. I guess you have to have one for the horn and one for the bell?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2wPLSF3ZEU" target="_blank" target="_blank

[Dan Schultz]

... I see no particular reason why the 26J front-action body would not fit in the 20J-24J top-action body case.

That might be 'iffy', Joe.... since the bugle is reversed. At the least... the accessory box would have to be moved to the opposite side.

As a suggestion... alfonz should check it out before running out and buying one.