Posted by Pete Krill on October 26, 2000 at 07:15:54:
I finally got to try a Conn 56J at Dillon Music yesterday, and liked it better than the Conn 52J as an all-around tuba. The bell of the 56J is larger than the 52J (20" vs 18"), and it seems thicker. The instrument projects well in all registers. The only disadvantage is the heavier weight of the horn, but it doesn't seem any heavier than the Meinl Weston 2145.
The other horn which impressed me as a good value for a used horn at Dillon Music was the Rudy Meinl RM435. Matt had just serviced it, and it played well at $3695.