Re: Conn 20-J


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Posted by Lew on August 21, 2001 at 19:39:23:

In Reply to: Conn 20-J posted by Teddy on August 21, 2001 at 15:52:20:

I have owned 2 Conn 21Js, the upright bell version of the 20J, and have played on several others. They are generally free blowing horns with a big, full, classic American tuba sound. Because they have such little resistance, I find that they can be played surprisingly softly for their size. They're still a little too big to make a good small ensemble horn. They are the "Tim Allen" version of a tuba in my mind.

The downsides are the size makes them a little awkward to hold, and a flat 3rd partial (E through F# just below the bass clef staff) on every one that I have tried. Using a single tuning bit, which is the way they were designed to be played, helps make them a little easier to hold and still see the conductor. The 3rd partial can be lipped up close to in tune, but for me it is still flat. I actually liked the 3 valve versions better than the 4 valve 24/25J's that I have tried. But the one 2XJ that I liked the best was a 22J, 3 front action, short stroke valves.


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