Conn 20J Front Valve Conversion??

[Dan Schultz]

....... Does anybody have an old beat up 20K they would sell? or know somebody? thanks-John

Not old and beat-up. But Conn/Selmer still manufactures the 20K/22K valve sections at the Eastlake, Ohio factory. I've never tried it, but they might be willing to part with a valve section (or parts thereof) at a reasonable price. Even if the cluster is damaged... the #2 is the one you need to graft to the others to make a four-valve cluster. In fact, I'll bet they are still making a four-valve cluster.

[TUbajohn20J]

....... Does anybody have an old beat up 20K they would sell? or know somebody? thanks-John

the #2 is the one you need to graft to the others to make a four-valve cluster. In fact, I'll bet they are still making a four-valve cluster.

Really? Why would they still be making the 4 valve cluster if it isn't in production?? I need to get one of these!!

[Dan Schultz]

....... Does anybody have an old beat up 20K they would sell? or know somebody? thanks-John

the #2 is the one you need to graft to the others to make a four-valve cluster. In fact, I'll bet they are still making a four-valve cluster.

Really? Why would they still be making the 4 valve cluster if it isn't in production?? I need to get one of these!!

You mis-read my post. Although Conn/Selmer doesn't catalog a 4V version of the 20K.... the DO still build the 3V sousa. My guess is that they would build a 4V version if Uncle Sam called and said they wanted a couple dozen. Want me to check on it for you? It's only money!

[pwhitaker]

Yeah Jerry, in my opinion, there is no tuba that could compare to the sound of a 20J. ....

I have a recording bell 20J and a Rudy Meinl 5/4 BBb. IMHO the Rudy has a more compelling presence. Both horns have a very ponderous timbre which is exactly what I want in a tuba sound. The 20J isn't quite as focused as is the Rudy, which is not surprising since the Rudy produces the canonical German tuba sound. My trad jazz compadres like both of them equally well - I bought the Conn for the recording bell 'cause I'm lazy. An automotive comparison would be the classic Mercedes 600 sedan vs the vintage 1950's Cadillac De Ville - both exemplars of their respective domains.

[TUbajohn20J]

Want me to check on it for you? It's only money!

Yes!!! I need to get me a couple 4 valve 20K's while I'm at it

[tubatom91]

newest action with my horn

[edsel585960]

I know this is a an ancient post but would like to know if you actually finished it. Would love to see it!

[tubatom91]

This is the one I "finished" a few years ago. It's in need of a few hours of soldering as it needs more bracing in vital points (Lead-pipe and valve-section) but it plays.

[Tabor]

I think it would be interesting & perhaps a easier to slap a Mirafone 186 valve set in there. Roughly the same bore & the short throw of the rotor valves are similar to the short action pistons.

[Art Hovey]

Here's my recent 20J conversion project:

Conv20J-Front.jpg

Detail are here:

http://galvanizedjazz.com/tuba/20J/20Jconversion.html

“Gross National Product” measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion… It measures everything except that which makes life worthwhile. Robert Kennedy, 1968

[edsel585960]

Cool horn! I love 2xj's. Bet it sounds great.