Conn 36J Conversion

[ken k]

Ken K, would you please post a big picture of your Seussaphone?

here is a link to an old thread on Frankentubas which includes multiple pix of the Dr. Suessaphone....

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=54316&hilit=frankentuba&start=36" target="_blank

kk

[Ken Crawford]

Lee Stofer recently installed a full Kanstul 6/4 bell section on the Boston symphony's nirshl 6/4. That is the bell you'd want for this conversion if you can get Kanstul to make one for you. Go to Kanstul's Facebook page to see it.

[Donn]

just measured them, the Kanstul upright bell is 20" and the Conn recording bell is 24"

I can believe they'd sound different, apart from which way they're pointed.

[bigboymusic]

I'm also interested in what was wrong with the old bell, or if they were just looking to improve the sound.

[Ken Crawford]

I'm also interested in what was wrong with the old bell, or if they were just looking to improve the sound.

Maybe it was damaged beyond repair whilst traveling...

[pjv]

I used to own a 36J and did what you've done and Ken K: point it to the right and it plays straight up.
Moreover, you can choose other directions to point it in. If the acoustics of the hall are preventing your sound from projecting they way you want you can turn the bell just a bit more to the front. I'd even turned it backwards for some recordings to help keep it from leaking too much into the other mic's (and in this way I could easily see the other musicians). And it's perfect for low ceiling gigs.
Good luck

[bigboymusic]

I'm picking it up today. The problem is that this is a 26 incher. I've turned bells with 22 inch bells, but I'm afraid this will be HUGE. Either way, we will find out tonight!!!

[bigboymusic]

After 24 hours with this colossal pile of metal, couple observations.

Very quick valves and pretty good compression.

Ergonomics surprisingly awesome

Intonation is VERY good. the third partial is not nearly as poor as I had anticipated.

Low range=Beast Mode
Mid Range=normal
High Range=Very easy and clear

Body in GREAT shape

I know I was biased and had preconceived ideas - but the recording bell sucks (that is the proper music terminology)
Sooo, we are now in the process of putting together the funds to have Martin Wilk do some magic on this bad boy.

Very excited to say the least.

[Donn]

Glad to hear it delivers on the expectations created by its size! How much does it weigh?

Yesterday evening as I was dragging my tuba out of the rehearsal room, director hollers out "hey that sousaphone of yours is really sounding good! ... er ... that's a tuba, isn't it, not a sousaphone ..." Anyway, the she was kind enough to gush over the sound and specifically comment that it sounded "crisper" - which is of course the opposite from my impression, as I'm on the opposite side of the bell (Holton BAT, bell front.)

[bigboymusic]

As expected it took a bit to find a MP match that worked. The horn did not like either the PT-88 or PT-48. I went to the trusty Schilke H-II and it all locked in.