WTB Conn 20J/21J bell

jeopardymaster · Post by **jeopardymaster** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:51 am

I sold the recording bell for my 3-valve horn last summer, thinking the instrument itself would be scrap. But Dan Schultz did his magic and my old 20J/21J is not only playable now, but looks pretty darn good. So I'm in the market for a usable upright or recording bell for this 3 valve monster. Then I propose selling it.

Alternatively, if you are looking for most of a 20/21J (not including bell or screws) - drop me a PM and let's talk.

jeopardymaster · Post by **jeopardymaster** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:29 pm

Bumping for July. Anyone from Jacksonville reading these posts?

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:41 am

Although not a Conn bell, I may have something that works. I've lost my notes for the original 2xJ, however. Can you furnish a measurement for the bell collar?

jeopardymaster · Post by **jeopardymaster** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 11:29 am

BUMP. Still looking.

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:46 pm

Try calling Taylor Music at 1-800-872-2263 and ask for Bob. When I was looking for an upright bell for my King, I called them, and they had a horde of 24 upright King bells they had bought from UMI. They take a lot of old high school horns in trade and refurb them, so they might just have some used or new 2Xj bells laying around.

The price on those factory new replacement part King bells was steep ($700 or so), so I'm glad Sam hooked me up with a like-new one for much less. You might also check with Sam Gnagey.

Perhaps one of the Dans or Bloke or Chuck could custom make one or adapt an old bell as well.

Eric "noticing that there is one on eBay right now for $1200, must be gold-plated" L.

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 12:38 am

Chuck(G) wrote:Although not a Conn bell, I may have something that works. I've lost my notes for the original 2xJ, however. Can you furnish a measurement for the bell collar?

Hey, Chuck... here's the statistics on the Conn and Kanstul 2XJ bells:

Conn 2XJ upright detachable bell
16 7/16" overall length
7 5/16" tenon diameter
23 7/8" bell diameter

Kanstul upright bell for 2XJ
15 3/4" overall length
7 1/4" tenon diameter
20 1/8" bell diameter

I honestly don't understand why the difference in the tenon diameters and don'k know off-hand which one is correct. However, I have what I think is a 2XJ tenon and collar set here and it measures 7 1/4".

I'm getting ready to build a bell for a 2XJ out of a sousa flare and a section of bell stack. So far, the best height stack-up is only about 13"... a couple of inches shorter that either the original Conn or the replacement Kanstul bells. I'm thinking the horn will go a little sharp, but with the 26" flare, it's hard telling exactly what it will do.

I think I recall that Harvey Hartman built some Franken bells before. I may have a chance to get to it next week. I'll let you know how it goes. I have a 20J here I can use for a ginea pig.

jeopardymaster · Post by **jeopardymaster** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 8:41 am

FWIW - I've received and read 3 PMs, but can't put a response through due to a "general error." I could say something clever about "army intelligence" but I doubt there is a connection. To sell what I have, I would gladly take $800 plus shipping.

Attached are pictures of my 20J.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u168 ... MG0128.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u168 ... MG0129.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u168 ... MG0130.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u168 ... MG0132.jpg

WakinAZ · Post by **WakinAZ** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 2:26 pm

TubaTinker wrote:I honestly don't understand why the difference in the tenon diameters and don'k know off-hand which one is correct.

Dan,

I noticed when measuring up the ever-so-slightly out of round tenon on my King recording bell, that the measurement was different (about 1/16 ") depending on the starting point. Master craftsman that you are, though, I'm sure you took several measurements.

Eric "slightly off" L.

armytuba · Post by **armytuba** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 10:03 pm

I happen to be the one TubaTinker is making the 2XJ upright bell for. About 3 months ago I rescued a sousa bell flare off of eBay thinking it could see the light as an upright bell one day. Once Tinker's done and I get it in the mail I will post pictures of it installed on my 22J.

[Thanks, Dan!]

Bandmaster · Post by **Bandmaster** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 4:05 am

Well, there is a reburbished upright bell for sale on eBay. But it is a bit pricy....

Conn 20J Upright Tuba Bell**NEW**Hard to get!NO RESERVE

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:37 am

Bandmaster wrote:Well, there is a reburbished upright bell for sale on eBay. But it is a bit pricy....

Conn 20J Upright Tuba Bell**NEW**Hard to get!NO RESERVE

I'm always a bit concerned when I see the words 'refurbished' or 'restored' used in conjunction with brass instruments. It would be OK if one knew for certain that the bell was in excellent shape to start with and only required a dab of rolling, a light buff, and relacquer. But often, bells are sanded to within a micron of their life to remove all of the scratches and as a result the lacquer is heavier than the remaining brass! Personally, I would not pay that kind of money for this bell. But... if I WAS interested, I would certainly ask a few questions before plunking down my cash.

jeopardymaster · Post by **jeopardymaster** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:51 pm

Dan:

"But... if I WAS interested, I would certainly ask a few questions before plunking down my cash."

One that comes to mind, at that price, is "so how much dope CAN you fit into a Conn 2XJ bell?" I sure wouldn't pay $1500 for just the bell. Apparently no one else would, either.

I may be back in a few weeks, Dan. I have some dents and wrinkles in my F tuba that should come out.

I would also like to make a "project" out of my little Conn euphonium. As it turns out, you were right. I finally opened up the valves, and they indeed are short action. The thing plays really nicely but needs some attention. Lots of dents, including a bad one in the leadpipe. I am also leaning toward having a 4th valve installed, rather than trying to find a 4-valver that plays this well - I seriously doubt whether that will ever happen. Is that something you might be willing to take on?

Dave

Dan Schultz · Post by **Dan Schultz** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 5:36 pm

jeopardymaster wrote:.....I am also leaning toward having a 4th valve installed, rather than trying to find a 4-valver that plays this well - I seriously doubt whether that will ever happen. Is that something you might be willing to take on? Dave

Funny you should mention that! I have a pair of those 20i euphoniums hanging my shop. The plan was to scrap one of them to harvest the 2nd valve and casing. The problem is that I do not have any #2 pistons! It seems as though someone along the way swapped some different numbers into the horns. I have extra #1 and #3 pistons but NO #2's!

armytuba · Post by **armytuba** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 7:21 pm

Here's an attempt to post a few pictures of a project Dan Schultz just completed for me. It's a 24" Conn sousaphone bell flare (once a garden ornament bought on e**y) with part of a junk stack and tenon for my Conn 22J. Although it is 3" shorter than the replacement 2XJ bells, I've only had to pull the main slide out about 1-1/2" and 3rd valve slide about 1" and insert a tuning bit in the mouthpipe. May I add that he did an excellent job!

Here, have a looksie:

TubeNet

WTB Conn 20J/21J bell

WTB Conn 20J/21J bell

20J

2XJ without bell

Bell Conn

Conn Bell

Re: Conn Bell

Conn 2XJ Frankenbell