Posted by Lee Stofer on June 04, 2003 at 07:48:55:
Good morning, Tubenetters! I have had an unusual instrument come into my shop. I have never before seen a Conn 11J BBb tuba. It looks much like an Olds O-99, and in fact has an Olds valve section. The braces and branches seem to be a mixture of Olds and Conn parts, but it is obvious that the instrument came from the factory this way. The serial number on the valveset would indicate that it was one of the very last made by Olds in Abilene. I guess that when Conn bought and occupied the Abilene facility, they used the remaining Olds parts in assembly. Perhaps the most unusual-looking aspect of this unusual instrument is the fact that there is a brass ferrule or ring around the bell where the bell flare was silver-soldered on. This is on the outside, but it has been finished to look seamless on the inside of the bell - strange. Does anyone out there know how many other 11J's there might be lurking out there, or anything else about this instrument?
Lee Stofer