More $400 Conn 20J

[Doc]

Here’s more of the $400 Conn 20J. The band was finally getting to knock some rust off after COVID. One player was missing. Not perfect, but it was fun.

[the elephant]

Low F is super solid on that tuba, Bill. Nice stuff!

[Doc]

Low F is super solid on that tuba, Bill. Nice stuff!

Yeah, man! Not stuffy down there whatsoever. She’s fun to play, and that low range hammer is fun to swing.

[arpthark]

Sounds great, Bill! I'd love to have one of these to mess around on.

One of the most resonant-sounding, "fundamental bass" tones I have heard on tuba came from some kid from Eastern Kentucky (poor coal counties) playing the snot out of a 20J at a high school honor band in Richmond, KY. Arnald Gabriel conducted that one and was phenomenal. But I still remember the nice, round sound that kid got out of that 20J. You sound great on yours!

1+3 for F right below the staff or are you able to lip it? Are the slots fairly wide on these tubas?

Thanks!
Blake

[the elephant]

I see a tuning bit, too. Excellent. I did not play these horns as a kid, so I never knew about the pamphlet that came in the case that explains that the use of one tuning bit was part of the design and that F was supposed to be played 13. Very helpful stuff to know. (Learned from you guys back in the old "pre-woke TN" days…)

[2nd tenor]

The low F is meant to be played 1 plus 3, it might be fractionally sharp be there are always bigger things to worry about and that’s one limitation of three valve instruments. Lovely bass lines and sound, a great support for the group. The way that Doc played that 20J makes me think that a simple three valve BBb is all that most of us amateurs need … ??

https://norlanbewley.com/bewleymusic/tu ... b-tuba-nc/

I’m not familiar with tuning bits - we just don’t see them here in the UK - where might I find out more about them.

[GC]

A 20J In good shape is an excellent beast indeed, and they are marvelously resonant. After owning a 24J, I think I'd rather have a 20J because the false tones are better, and they're 3 pounds lighter.

A lot of the problem with the way some 20J's play has to do with dents in the leadpipe and the valve knuckles and tubing; it's not ususual for leadpipes to simply have to be replaced. Take care of those, fix any leaks, and you have a good instrument even if the bows and bell are a bit beaten up. If I wasn't so old and puny (and getting punier), I'd probably buy a 20J or 21J again for concert band work. Making a sound you can feel throughout the room without a lot of air is a satisfying feeling.

There is only one real problem I have with the 20J other than the weight: the valves tend to bounce during technical passages. I've never played one where it didn't happen.

[bort2.0]

Oh, you're one of those guys who sounds great on everything

[Doc]

1+3 for F right below the staff or are you able to lip it? Are the slots fairly wide on these tubas?

The F is close enough for open. My previous 20J, however, absolutely required 1&3. The slots aren’t too wide, but there’s room to bend pitch when necessary.

[quote="2nd tenor" post_id=53109 time=1666297200
https://norlanbewley.com/bewleymusic/tu ... b-tuba-nc/

I’m not familiar with tuning bits - we just don’t see them here in the UK - where might I find out more about them.
[/quote]

A sousaphone bit is what I use. If it is different from an original tuning bit (if there is a difference at all), it is certainly negligible. Most use a sousaphone bit.

[the elephant]

I believe the bits are/were one and the same; there was only ever the single design.

But I may be wrong in that assumption.

[Doc]

Oh, you're one of those guys who sounds great on everything

I don’t know about that. I do try to play horns that make the job easy. Less work = a chance to sound better. And I’ll take all the help I can get!

[bort2.0]

Oh, you're one of those guys who sounds great on everything

I don’t know about that. I do try to play horns that make the job easy. Less work = a chance to sound better. And I’ll take all the help I can get!

FWIW, the 20J that I had for a little while was VERY easy to play, holy cow, what a fun tuba. Reminded me (obviously) of playing Sousaphone in college, particularly a short-action-valve Conn naked lady model from a long time ago. Fun, easy to play, and only positive feedback from others.

BTW, I know you used to own a Kanstul 90 CC as well ... finally got a chance to try one recently, and it blew me away how easy it was to play. WOW. I wanted MORE sound from it but dang that was a nice tuba.

[Doc]

Oh, you're one of those guys who sounds great on everything

I don’t know about that. I do try to play horns that make the job easy. Less work = a chance to sound better. And I’ll take all the help I can get!

FWIW, the 20J that I had for a little while was VERY easy to play, holy cow, what a fun tuba. Reminded me (obviously) of playing Sousaphone in college, particularly a short-action-valve Conn naked lady model from a long time ago. Fun, easy to play, and only positive feedback from others.

BTW, I know you used to own a Kanstul 90 CC as well ... finally got a chance to try one recently, and it blew me away how easy it was to play. WOW. I wanted MORE sound from it but dang that was a nice tuba.

I wish I had mine. Incredible sound and a freaking breeze to play. I should have figured out some sort of first valve slide trigger that would allow me to keep my left arm below parallel. Or I could have let the doctor fix whatever in the hell is wrong with my left shoulder.