On the front bell topic...

[quesonegro]

I've never had the chance to play the old Conns...

What's the verdict on which model etc...

This one looks like it's in good shape...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/2719299557 ... 1929955772

Cheers

//Mattis

[groovlow]

That Conn (24J) think EB through Ampeg SVT...omnipresent
I'm addicted to the sound of my 25J
Just aligned the valves, so nice, easy to play.
Some notes like lower octave fingerings.
Small rooms can be strange,
reflections back through the horn.
Might be tough as the only bass voice, they require a lot of energy (air) below A 2
Joe

ps Short action valves use some oval ports, i think if they are just a little off its worse than round ports? percentage of turbulence?

[pjv]

I just recently sold my 1930 36J which is more or less the same type of horn with long stroke front action valves.
Really beautiful sound (OK, more so than most), very easy to play. Very nimble which always surprised me with such a large horn.
Unfortunately I never needed that type of axe for what I do.

I did however found it easiest to play by tuning my main slide sharp so that the 3rd p. F was only a tiny bit flat. All the other slides were pulled out more than usual and the 4th p. Bb I played on the low side to get it in tune. For the 6th p's I had to use alternative fingerings anyway and in this tuning they were easier to get happening.

As you can make out from all this, it was a high maintenance horn to get it working on stage. I do a lot of improvising and found that the time I needed to invest to get this horn to work was better spent on a tuba that, well, basically already worked.

Still, loved the sound and received many compliments trough the years whenever I played this horn. I'm very suspicious that the bell had a lot to do with it but thats another story...

Good luck

[quesonegro]

Thanks for the input! I suspect that you're right and that the same is true for me...but they're so gorgeous

[edsel585960]

Depends on the type of playing you do. They are great for German band. I play the 20J in community band too. It has a wonderful, deep sound. It's the tuba I wanted since high school. Wouldn't trade it for the world.

[imperialbari]

This model was designed to be played with one standard Conn sousaphone bit, which cannot be seen from the auction photos.

If I were buying this one, I would buy the stand also. As I get it, these Tuba Tamer stands work for playing as well as for display. If you like the sound and the playability, the only immediate drawback in my eyes are the problems related to the bulk and the weight of this tuba, including less movability on the stage than with your current instruments.

And yes, I would like this one myself. Only it is too heavy for my back and too big for my home.

Klaus

[Donn]

These horns have a fan base, including me. Nothing beats a nice playing example of one in my book.

Nothing? Rumor has it that there is a Martin tuba waiting to kick its behind.

[pjv]

http://www.usa-vintage-saxophon.de/instrumente/tuben" target="_blank

Their address is; Friedrich-Ebert Str. 40
D-40210 Düsseldorf

You can try a Conn 24J for €2950 side by side with a 1231 (or it's a 2431) for €1750.
As you may have gathered from this board or personal experience the King's intonation is at the top of the list for intonation. They're an easy blow and can do most any job.

These two tuba's are two very different types horns. For what it's worth, the Conn's a 5/4, 6/4 type and the King is really 4/4. The Conn probably will charm you more then the King. The King is in my opinion more functional and it's a good price for out here.

cheers

[edsel585960]

This was an interesting idea if buying a tuba tamer is out plus it's mobile. Would make moving any large horn easier. http://donbergland.com/tuba/" target="_blank

[quesonegro]

I've visited the store in Düsseldorf but their tubas are in pretty rackety shape
The valves on the King I tried were so clackety that I could barely even hear the sound of the horn, screws were missing etc...
I'm not bying a horn at that price if I have to have it totally overhauled...

[quesonegro]

Bb recording bell...
Even with shipping and taxes...I wouldn't want to buy an overpriced tuba that I'd have to have that much work done on...

[quesonegro]

I agree, I meant that the tubas in the aforementioned store in Düsseldorf were overpriced, not the horns in the US...

[quesonegro]

For the shape they're in it's still way too much! To buy a shitty tuba for a higher price in euros than a renovated one in great shape in dollars makes no sense...

[pjv]

In the Netherlands there's a King front bell (with cases) in really nice condition for sale at a very nice lady's music shop. Unfortunately her understanding of making a working webpage is not up to par so I've no idea about the price. It's a nice playing horn if I recall, and like Bloke said, re-selling it would be easy enough. They're a big hit with trad-jazz/dixiland folks out here in Holland.

Marjan Mol
tel.+31756284192
info@marjanmol.nl" target="_blank
Zaanweg 4
1521DH,Wormerveer

Sorry to hear about the Dusseldorf shop. I always wanted to take a trip to their shop. This isn't encouraging.
Btw, I really like my King. Even though it was in great shape when I bought it I still had the valve guides replaced with the plastic ones. It just made too much noise.

Good luck

[quesonegro]

Cool, I'll check it out!

[Donn]

The Kings are really quite a different instrument than the big Conns (or Martins), aren't they? My sit down tuba is a King with detachable up bell, and it's respectable - versatile, good intonation - but it isn't huge, the valve bore is on the small side, it isn't the special `like a string bass' sonority that these particular extra-big tubas are supposed to have.

[tofu]

http://tubameister.com/2015/06/h-n-whit ... b-3495-00/

We were out at Lee Stofer's place a few weeks ago getting some work done and played the horn above. It totally blew me away. Built in 1942 it is a one piece recording bass. Simply a gorgeous sound - better than anything else he had there including much more expensive horns. I was amazed at how easy it was to hold, blow, balance and play it. It felt much lighter than any two piece King I've every played. Condition wise it is like it was in a time capsule and the horn is like new. The valves were fabulous and the original one piece case is like new and includes the original mouthpiece. This would be a truly exceptional horn for jazz. I so wanted to buy it, but I am loath to give up my helicon for jazz. Contact Lee - he is a stand up guy - he also spent many years in Germany as a US military band guy and I know he knows how to export.

[Greenbenches]

I've had 3 20J's and love them. Perfect tuning is not generally an issue in my group and I've dealt with the "F" the same way that PJV described, by running the main tuning slightly sharp, and some valve slides a bit long. With the 24J having 4 valves, you shouldn't have to compromise as much on the 1st and 3rd slides. It really does need the sousaphone tuning bit.
I've noticed that any dent in the lead pipe definitely affects it's free blowing feel.

[imperialbari]

The final costs for an instrument imported from outside the EU to Germany are calculated like this:

((buying price + shipping + insurance) x 1,037 x 1,19) + the handlig fee for the entity doing the red tape at the German end of the transaction

The import duty varies from 3.2% to 3.7% by parameters unknown to me. I used the upper limit in the sample formula.

German VAT is 19%.

Schwitzerland makes some interesting instruments. It comes as a surprise to many EU citizens that the above formula also goes for Swiss instruments.

Klaus

PS: The formula structure goes for all EU countries, but the duty and VAT percentages vary from country to country.