Posted by Pete Krill on September 06, 2003 at 06:42:00:
In Reply to: Conn 52-J posted by CROM on September 04, 2003 at 22:11:55:
I've had a Conn 52J for three years now, and have used it quite a bit in brass quintet and for the lighter, higher orchestral repertoire such as Mendelsohn's "Elijah" and the Franck "Symphony in D Minor." As others have said, it is a fun horn to play and has a surprising low register, in addition to it's excellent middle and high register.
One of the valves was a little sticky when I bought the horn, and Matt at Dillon Music polished the valve guides for me. Also, I used slightly stiffer springs for a couple of years until the valves were broken in. Now, they work very well.
I tried a 54J at Dillons a few weeks ago and was impressed with that horn as well. It has a 19" bell and the bell edge is rolled around a larger wire (like the 56J), so it has somewhat more resonance than my 52J, especially in the lowest register. However, it also feels slightly heavier, which is a factor to be considered for older tuba players such as myself.