Posted by Pete Krill on October 16, 2000 at 06:33:42:
I just purchased a Conn 52J CC-tuba from Dillon Music, and found that the standard valve springs were too weak for my taste. As usual Matt Walters had the answer, a set of Besson valve springs, which are the same size but stiffer and not tapered on the ends. Now the valves are consistant with my other tubas, a Meinl Weston 2145 and a Meinl Weston 2000.
The Conn 52J has an excellent high register, and is a perfect horn for some of the French orchestral repertoire such as the Franck "Symphony in D Minor", and even the Berlioz "Symphonie Fantastique". I plan to try it out in one of my smaller concert bands, also.