Converting/repairing an old Conn 4J BBb tuba

[AHynds]

Hello, one and all.

I own a Conn 4J BBb tuba that was given to me by a former teacher several years ago, and after not finding a use for it for so long, I'm considering the possibility of converting the horn to CC. First things first, though; would such a procedure even be possible? I know BBb to CC conversions can be a little iffy, and I'm not familiar enough with the process to know if it would be a good idea or not with this particular horn. If it would take too much away from the horn, I'd be willing to keep it as is. The other repair that I definitely want to have done is a complete bell replacement. Before I came into possession of the horn, the tuba was dropped straight down onto its bell, and there is a solid line around the flare of the bell where the metal is crushed and patched over. I'd like to get a new bell for the horn, but again, I'm not entirely certain where I'd begin to look for a replacement bell. I'd put pics up here, but the horn is currently being used by my brother over in Chicago, so I don't access to it. Once I regain possession of the horn, I'm going to get some other minor repair work done on it. At the very least, it'd be nice to have as a small contrabass tuba, and if possible, I'd love to get it cut to CC and use it for quintet work and other similar situations. Any info on the conversion process and/or pointers on the replacement bell would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: I believe this is a similar horn, if not the same model. http://www.horn-u-copia.net/instruments ... uba-4J.jpg

[TheHatTuba]

The best bet would be to sell the 4J and wait for a <$2000 2J to pop up. Cutting would cost WAY more than its worth for a 4J. If you dead set on cutting, try:
-a beat to death Olds 099 bugle
-a misc. donor 4th valve to splice

[Tubajug]

The best bet would be to sell the 4J and wait for a <$2000 2J to pop up. Cutting would cost WAY more than its worth for a 4J. If you dead set on cutting, try:
-a beat to death Olds 099 bugle
-a misc. donor 4th valve to splice

These were my thoughts as well. When a CC counterpart already exists, there's little reason to cut down a BBb (IMHO). Unless of course you're just looking for a project!

[The Big Ben]

I own a Conn 4J BBb tuba that was given to me by a former teacher several years ago, and after not finding a use for it for so long, I'm considering the possibility of converting the horn to CC.

The 4J is very close in design to the 2J and 3J, which are horns in CC. Here's a link to a discussion about these horns here on TubeNet: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=51300" target="_blank

The 4J is a 4v horn and, since so much is going to be repaired anyway, a competent repair person could take the measurements from on of the CC horns and apply them to yours. Anyone who could do that sort of thing well is not going to be cheap.

Now, *should* you have this done? That's your decision in the end but it might be better to start with an instrument that is in better shape and in the key you are looking for. The final costs when all is done could get up there. I'm getting an Olds 099-4 rebuilt as I can afford it. In the end, I probably could have gotten one in better shape for less money. The valves have been done by one of the best techs anywhere and work really well. I was able to get some replacement bows very cheaply on eBay which I bought and had restored. These will be put on the horn in a few months when I can afford to have the bell and stack repaired and a few other things (Just love how some Jr. High children scratched "F**k you!" on the inside of the bell). It will be a very nice horn and be one of the best that could be had for its size, key and purpose. But.... I probably could have gotten one that was ready to go for far less than what I will have in this. Excellent repair work is not cheap.

All that said, if I were you, I'd look for a replacement bell, have it installed and call it good. Maybe some of the repair people here could make some suggestions as to bells that would be appropriate to have installed. Of course, a 4J bell would be best but there may be others- Olds 099, maybe a bell from a G Contra? Ebay is your friend here. Set up an automatic search and Ebay will send you an e-mail when something comes up that is appropriate.

[jeopardymaster]

When a CC counterpart already exists, there's little reason to cut down a BBb (IMHO).

+1. And there are CC counterparts in considerable numbers.

[doublebuzzing]

The Conn 4J is a great BBb tuba. I wouldn't take the risk of cutting down and perhaps making it play worse than it did in the first place (after all the money put into doing the job too!).

[AHynds]

Based on the general tenure of the comments here, I think I'll keep it in BBb for now. I'm not willing to sell it just yet--it still holds some sentimental value, and I don't want a small CC badly enough to get rid of it. I'd like to own one of the 2Js or 3Js to complement my PT-6, but I'll settle for this horn. I can probably still recall my BBb fingerings, and there might be a time when it would be a nice horn to have in the arsenal (brass band gigs come to mind). I am still looking to get a new bell, though, so I'm going to get the collar opening measured once I get the horn back and start trolling eBay for some bells.

[Dave Hayami]

Hello,
On E/bay "Olds 0991" bell
4 valve Olds version of Conn 2J/3Jmight be a close fit.
Good luck,
Dave Hayami

[Dave Hayami]

Senior moment,
should have been 2J/4J(CC/BBb)
not 2J/3J (CC/CC)
Some day soon, I need to take a picture of the 2J CC, Olds 0991, Reynolds 4v BBb(I don't know the model #)
and the Bach 4v BBb(another model number that I don't know)
They are all in the district that I teach in. (2J my horn)
Dave Hayami