Nashville, TN (FB): Conn BBb $2,800

[arpthark]

Tagging @martyneilan in case he wants to chime in.

https://www.facebook.com/share/jRBX1Ct55NTmNYYe/

[bloke]

That's a good looking tuba, and Marty looks like he's doing well also.

[martyneilan]

I was hesitant to post it here because shipping is not an option; I am in the Nashville TN area and willing to drive a little. My beloved Mitsching project was damaged and required some rebuilding after arriving at BBC, fortunately the shipper compensated us and that horn is now better than ever! Somebody please buy it before I buy it back (even though I don't need a horn of that magnitude at present.)

Here's the scoop on the vintage Conn:
Circa 1932 large Conn BBb 4 valve tuba made in Elkhart, Indiana.
Full 20 inch bell, 37 inches tall, .734 bore, about 20 pounds, includes heavy duty cordura gigbag.

Great sound - big yet still clear. There is no pancake on the 20 inch bell but a continuous expansion to the very end.
Super responsive.
Low register just pops out loud and clear and in tune.
Sounds like a true 5/4 with a Kelly KT50 mouthpiece and plays like a 4/4 with a kellyberg. I use my Warburton-Neilan most of the time to split the difference.

Mid range has a little tuning funk going on. Some is me since I have played predominantly CC since 1990 and I want to follow certain pitch tendencies that are counter to the horn - so I am unconsciously pushing some notes in the wrong direction. I had the same problem when I transitioned from BBb to CC. F at the bottom of the staff definitely works better 13 so I don't have to lip that partial. The main slide is very long and with a main slide trigger or pull rod that note could be easily fixed.

Valves have been replated in the distant past but #1 shows a little wear.
New leadpipe and receiver that works very well with the instrument.
Ergonomically useful #2 pull rod to get that 24 combination spot on without 4 being flat, also helps fine tuning of other notes.

I cut the 3rd slide 1.9 inches to get 23 in tune on all pitches. This model was one of the older 4 valve tubas that was built with the tuning of a 3 valve horn (13 spot on, 23 flat and 123 not egregiously sharp.) With a 4th valve there was no reason to have a long 3rd valve slide.
I cut the 1st valve slide about half an inch to bring all notes up to pitch when pushed fully in, otherwise it usually sits 1/2" to 3/4" out now.

I almost want to see about putting the bell or even the bell and bottom bow on a Miraclone and make an orchestral super-CC. But I am afraid it might not work and ruin two otherwise usable horns.

I am willing to be flexible (within reason) on price; I am already taking a loss on my purchase price. I did have a friendly high schooler contact me who needs a tuba and has no money and wanted to know if I could give it to him. I have 4 kids of my own and am paying some hefty hefty college bills on the oldest one, so no that is not an option. I am working to get my net worth all the way up to an honest zero within the next 30 years.

All the pictures in the ad were taken either at a college bandroom or a friend's house who holds rehearsals there. My current dwelling place is MUCH more modest.

[martyneilan]

Price reduced to 2250 and horn sold.

[Tubajug]

That looks like a lot of horn for not a lot of dough! Looks like it's in great shape, too! Good luck on the sale.