Posted by Rob P-M on September 22, 2001 at 23:53:42:
In Reply to: Huge Tuba ?? posted by E. Oliver on September 22, 2001 at 14:17:08:
Cutting a good 6/4 BBb to CC is rarely good idea.
The big Conn horns your JrHi has are likely:
20J - if three short action (offset stems) valves top action, recording bell
21J - if three short action valves top action, upright bell
22J - if three short action valves front action, recording bell
23J - if three short action valves front action, upright bell
24J - if four short action valves, top action, recording bell
25J - if four short action valves, top action, upright bell
26J - if four short action valves, front action, recording bell (note to all just confirmed from 1937 catalog)
27J - if four short action valves, front action, upright bell.
The recording bells are variously described as 23" or 24"
If the horn has four long (like regular tuba) front action valves without offset stems, it could be
36J - older 1920's version has upright fixed 23" bell, is called the Grand Orchestral Bass
36J - 1930's version has 26" to 30" recording bell, slight differences in tubing. (there was also a CC version, otherwise the same, model 34J)
80J - same as 30's version, but a smaller instrument overall with 23" recording bell
Conn horns have model numbers sometimes on the leadpipe (mostly for smaller brass) and for tubas with detatchable bells usually have the model number stamped on both the bell collar on the horn and on the base of the bell. Often you'll see a number after the model number that will indicate the finish: e.g. 20J - 4 would indicate a laquered brass finish, 2 or 3 would indicate variations on the satin silver finish so popular on sousaphones.