Conn 54J

[LucGeraats]

Dear Tubenetters,

I can buy a Conn 54J, but I never played one. The tuba is too far away to test now. If I'm buying it, I will certainly test the tuba.

Does somebody know these tuba's? To what can I compare it to?
Just for general interest.

Greetings,

LG

[pjv]

I used to own a 56J which is the same beast but with a bit larger bell rim.
I sold it to another player in the Netherlands which I'll tell you more about in a PM.
They're good 4/4 á 5/4 horns that always want to slide down to the left. Kitchen shelve pads (anti-slip) strongly advised.
Many players didn't like the response of the 5th valve. I was in London when I had Phil Parker look at it and never had any problems after that.
Wide slots.
My tuba was satin silver and a great looker.
Stupid MTS case. Fairly strong underneath and absolutely useless case lid you can dent with one finger. Exactly like the Conn tuba cases a generation before.

[Frank Ortega]

I remember liking the 54J best of the three models Conn had, 52, 54, and 56J.
Kyle Turner had a wonderful 54J with a rose brass leadpipe when he started playing with the NY Phil. I think that a 54J with MAW valves might be an incredible
Horn.