$500 1946 Silver “Naked Lady” Conn 20J

[LCTuba89]

A guy in a community band sold this baby to me for $500. Came with the cases and a tuning bit. Plays amazingly well, have to use alternate fingerings for the 5th partial because it’s notoriously flat. Has the flat 3rd partial F but it’s easily lippable. Sounds like a pipe organ especially in the low register. Polished it up and she looks amazing.

[tubatodd]

I remember playing one of those (I'm 99.9% certain it was that model) when I attended Usdan Center for Creative and Performing Arts in the summers of high school. My recollection was that it had a wonderful tone and was VERY easy to play. The only negative was they were unwieldy to hold. It's funny, these were the only horns owned by the camp for kids from 4th-12th grade to play.

Anyway, that's a really nice example.Nice snag for $500.

[Technical Support]

Very nicely done for $500!

[Sousaswag]

A total bargain for $500. Nice job! Those flat pitches might be helped by taking the dents out of the mouth pipe!

[gocsick]

Are you using a single Conn Sousaphone bit?... My 20J no longer requires alternate fingerings after the leadpipe dents were removed and when played with a bit in the receiver. It makes s great lap sousaphone.

[GC]

You got a real steal with this one. Lee Stofer told me years ago that the key to the 2XJ's intonation was keeping the leadpipe and valve tubing dent free. You have enough dings there that taking the dents out should improve matters.

[LCTuba89]

Turns out the 5th partial is fine, just had to adjust the slides. I’ll probably still get the dent removed from the lead pipe at some point, but I’m in no rush.