Diagonal piston valvesets - Older Conn and others

[MartyNeilan]

A little while ago I got a Conn 2J in good condition. This is a surprisingly good smaller CC tuba. However, one thing about it seems to be bothering me.
I have mostly played rotary horns or horns with MW/B&S style pistons. On these instruments, the valves are nearly straight up and down with the instrument. That is what I have been accustomed to, and I have always held the horn mostly straight up with just a moderate tilt. On the Conn, the valves are sharply angled. If I am standing and holding the horn at about a 45 degree angle propped up on my knee, it feels just about perfect.
However, when seated and holding the horn nearly upright with the bottom bow on the chair, the valve angle seems very awkward. I have tried tilting it over, but then the mouthpiece isn't just at the wrong height, it is also too far to the side.
Any suggestions from the myriad number of people who play these great little tubas?
(When I first got the horn, the receiver was sharply tilted upward. I removed it, straightened brace and the end of the leadpipe, and reattached it at the angle C.G. Conn originally intended. That helped a little, but not as much as I had hoped.)

[Ken Herrick]

I, like Harvey, always had it on my lap. No problems for me. Bell was pointed somewhat to the side as a result.

[cjk]

The valve angle on the 2j causes me wrist pain. I had one, but sold it for that reason.

[EdFirth]

I believe you (or your repairman) can order a straight leadpipe from Allied. Then you sit so the horn is comfortable and the repair person bends the pipe to fit you. I've had it done on several horns.Good luck. Ed

[Alex C]

I have to remove the thumb ring to play 2J's without pain in my wrist.

I remember the 3J as a little more comfortable and have kept the thumb ring on them.

[MartyNeilan]

I finally had some free time that didn't involve work or kids. I torched off the thumb ring and adjusted the leadpipe/receiver angle a little more. Right now, it comes out of the tuba about parallel with the bell. The standard leadpipe angle on the smaller Conns seems to be slightly upswept. When I first got that horn, somebody had bent the angle up significantly higher. That required a little bit of straightening of the metal on the end of the leadpipe after I removed the receiver.
We shall see how this goes. This is a great smaller horn with very good pitch. Hopefully the ergonomics will be a better fit for me now.

[Dan Schultz]

I prefer valve sections that are set on an angle. To me... tubas where the valve section is parallel to the bell are REALLY uncomfortable to play. The only exceptions I know of are the small Yamahas like the YBB-103. I cannot imagine playing having to hold my bell straight up.

Slant-rotor Marzan for life!

Leadpipe placement issues go away with the use of a tuba rest.

[pjv]

I'll second Dan on this one. I've never really understood the idea behind a parallel valve-set. Either I have to play the tuba with a 45-90 degree bend in my wrist or I have to play with my elbow in the air.

I remember many Matt Walters' conversions having a parallel valve-set, but he placed them at the bottom of the horn thus alleviating this discomfort. It wouldn't surprise me if this was the reason for doing this.

-Pat