Conn 2XJ Redux

[jeopardymaster]

Tubaport and I were talking the other day and we were wondering, who if anyone is working these days to figure out how to turn these old 2XJ carcasses into front action horns - either piston or rotary. It seems to me that if somebody could crack the code and make one that plays reasonably well in tune, it would be worthwhile, because the sound those things can make is amazing. Are any of you folks working this? If not, what obstacles do you see?

[iiipopes]

Hmm. Let's see: Conn 2XJ valve block bore: .773. Miraphone 186/7/8 valve block bore: .770. Additional length of leadpipe necessary to make it work: negligible. Hmm.

[bort]

Didn't Norm Epley build something like this? A Conn body and a Cerveny valve section?

[bort]

Tim's Conn:

What an enormous, silly looking tuba! Neat!

[The Big Ben]

Tim's Conn:

What an enormous, silly looking tuba! Neat!

That long 4th slide can kind of hide behind that big recording bell!

[Bob Kolada]

Tubatom (?) built one.

[Timswisstuba]

I've done this a few times. Unfortunatly there is no one simple solution that works in all circumstances because depending upon which valveset you use, a tuning slide and / or branch has to be custom made.

I made the Conn CC above with the late Harvey Hartman. It plays really well with similar playing charatistics, sound and intonation to the original 24J from which it was before. The biggest challenge in cutting these big Conns is not to change the taper of the bugle too drasticaly because that will really effect the intonation. The reason for the long 4th valve slide is for having a really open low register as there are hardly any bends in the tubing. I have to say it's a pretty good playing and sounding horn.

[Dan Schultz]

Hmm. Let's see: Conn 2XJ valve block bore: .773. Miraphone 186/7/8 valve block bore: .770. Additional length of leadpipe necessary to make it work: negligible. Hmm.

Well..... I DO have an experimental 186 valve section that I'll be looking to stick on something in a little while. I might just consider getting a 'beater' 20J to complete the project.