King 1140 vs. Conn 10J

[LJLovegren]

I'm one of those old guys who returned to low brass after 45 years away. With 2 kids at home and one in college, my budget is lean SO my instruments came from ebay and Craigs List. I ended up with King 1140 (made 1989, NOT convertible) and a Conn 10J (made 1965). Both have traditional issues (weak braces on the King and repeatedly crushed bell on the Conn). The King valves may be in better shape than the Conn (but I won't be sure until both are properly aligned).

I took both to a repair guy and told him I want to keep the one that's better overall and have him take the other as credit toward the work on the one I keep. Not that it matters but the repair guy maintains multiple King 1140's for his local school system.

I searched the forum for posts about both horns. I note that many of you fondly recall a 10J from your youth and several of you like the sound of the 1140.

1) Presuming that either can be put into good playing and decent cosmetic condition for about the same cost, which would you keep?

2) Presuming the expense could differ by by $100, $200, $300 or more, which horn is the better investment?