Holton or Conn

[Igor]

you who are more experienced, what would be the main difference between a conn 6/4 and a Holton 6/4?
For example, a Conn 20J and a Mammoth, Which of these would be better? which of these would have a bigger sound?

[Igor]

A “mammoth” is typically a Martin (Handcraft). Those are quite good big BBb tubas but rare to find. Usually with top action valves and with three. Four valve variants exist as well as front action. Upright and bell front options. Martin tubas *need* bits to be played properly.

Holton 345 (or 340s) are also pretty rare. Bigger sound than a Martin but hit or miss with regards to intonation. Most seem to be pretty good when reconstituted by a top notch repairman. The 345 is the 4 valve option and the 340 is the 3 valve option. Occasionally one will see a front action version with a detachable bell. Most are one piece and upright bells.

Conn 2XJ tubas are the easiest to find. They are smaller than a Holton or Martin. They typically have a few pitch problems. Short action valves are kinda cool but probably create more problems than they solve. Three or four valve options as well as top and front action.

Conn tubas will probably be the cheapest to get ahold of. Both the Conn and the Martin will be easier to ship internationally since they are two pieces.

With regards to overall sound output…

Holton > Martin > Conn

[Igor]

A "mammoth" is typically a Martin (Handcraft). Those are quite good big BB tubas but rare to find. Usually with top action valves and with three. Four Valve Variants exist as well as front action. Upright and Bell Front Options. Martin Tubas *need * bits to be played properly.

Holton 345 (or 340s) are also pretty rare. Bigger sound than a Martin but hit or miss with regards to intonation. Most seem to be pretty good when reconstituted by a top notch repairman. The 345 is the 4 valve option and the 340 is the 3 valve option. Occasionally one will see a front action version with a detachable bell. Most are one piece and upright bells.

Conn 2XJ tubas are the easiest to find. They are smaller than a Holton or Martin. They typically have a few pitch problems. Short action valves are kinda cool but probably create more problems than they solve. Three or four valve options as well as top and front action.

Conn Tubas will probably be the cheapest to get a hold of. Both the Conn and the Martin will be easier to ship internationally since they are two pieces.

With regards to overall sound output...

Holton > Martin > Conn

Thank you very much for your answer, I am learning about the American tubas, beautiful tubas... thank you again for helping.

[Sousaswag]

A properly put together Holton 345 is an excellent 6/4 tuba (in BBb) and not a super expensive way to get into the big tuba world. They also have some of the most modern qualities in terms of valve layout and design.

The Holton “Mammoth” tubas were usually 3 or 4 valve top action and are exceedingly rare, particularly in good condition.

Martin Mammoth tubas are also rare, but not as rare as the Holtons (or Yorks). They may be the most in-tune of the big American makes.

Conns- Easiest to find, and the cheapest. Slightly smaller as Matt G said before, but typically the least ergonomically friendly, and the most squirrelly in terms of pitch. Most require a sousaphone tuning bit to be most comfortable and in tune. In good shape, most still exhibit a flat F at the bottom of the staff, flat C above it, and some other general weirdness.

I agree with Matt. Holton is probably the best in good shape, then Martin, then Conn.

[Igor]

A properly put together Holton 345 is an excellent 6/4 tuba (in BBb) and not a super expensive way to get into the big tuba world. They also have some of the most modern qualities in terms of valve layout and design.

The Holton "Mammoth" tubas were usually 3 or 4 valve top action and are exceedingly rare, particularly in good condition.

Martin Mammoth tubas are also rare, but not as rare as the Holtons (or Yorks). They may be the most in-tune of the big American makes.

Conns - Easiest to find, and the cheapest. Slightly smaller as Matt G said before, but typically the least ergonomically friendly, and the most squirrelly in terms of pitch. Most require a sousaphone tuning bit to be most comfortable and in tune. In good shape, most still exhibit a flat F at the bottom of the staff, flat C above it, and some other general weirdness.

I agree with Matt. Holton is probably the best in good shape, then Martin, then Conn.

thank you so much for helping me, I'm learning a lot from you from the forum, I have a Conn 21j and a conn 15j, I'm thinking of trying a Holton...

[donn]

Holton "Mammoth" might be their 105 model, possibly ancestral to the 350. I had a short valve 109 - nice, "dark" sound, quite tiresome to carry very far.

[bloke]

Having played some of the Chinese look alikes, the F at the bottom of the staff remains troublesome.

[Igor]

A properly put together Holton 345 is an excellent 6/4 tuba (in BBb) and not a super expensive way to get into the big tuba world. They also have some of the most modern qualities in terms of valve layout and design.

The Holton "Mammoth" tubes were usually 3 or 4 valve top action and are exceedingly rare, particularly in good condition.

Martin Mammoth tubes are also rare, but not as rare as the Holtons (or Yorks). They may be the most in-tune of the big American makes.

Conns - Easiest to find, and the cheapest. Slightly smaller as Matt G said before, but typically the least ergonomically friendly, and the most squirrelly in terms of pitch. Most require a sousaphone tuning bit to be most comfortable and in tune. In good shape, most still exhibit a flat F at the bottom of the staff, flat C above it, and some other general weirdness.

I agree with Matt. Holton is probably the best in good shape, then Martin, then Conn.

Thank you for your answer, it helped me a lot.

[Igor]

Holton "Mammoth" might be their 105 model, possibly ancestral to the 350. I had a short valve 109 - Nice, "dark" sound, quite tiresome to carry very far.

Thank you very much, I'm learning a lot from you.