Recent Conn Purchase

[HawaiiTromboneGuy]

Purchased this vintage Conn last night from Japan. It was described as “large bore tenor, there is a stamp "L LP SYMPH" on its slide. Its serial is #13xxxx. Made in around 1913-1914.” I was informed that this might be a “New Invention Bass Trombone.” Whatever the case, I’m excited to see how this over 100 year old instrument plays.

[Posaunus]

My guess is that this instrument is younger than 100 years.

Let us know if you learn more about it.

[HawaiiTromboneGuy]

My guess is that this instrument is younger than 100 years.

Let us know if you learn more about it.

You may be right. I was just going off what the seller told me. I’ll definitely update once I get the horn and find out more about it.

[elmsandr]

My guess is that this instrument is younger than 100 years.

Let us know if you learn more about it.

Not by much, if at all. No cork barrels.

‘10s-‘20s

It is 2019.

Looks like an awesome find. I’m most surprised by the bell tuning on it.

Cheers,
Andy

[greenbean]

That is what I am thinking. 10's or 20's. Looks great!

[Posaunus]

Andy and HawaiiTromboneGuy are probably right about its age. I should have looked it up.
According to the "Conn Brass Serial Number List"
130150 1913
132400 1914
137000 1915
142575 1916

It just looked newer / more "modern" to me. Wonder what the bore size is and what size mouthpiece it takes?

[greenbean]

Andy and HawaiiTromboneGuy are probably right about its age. I should have looked it up.
According to the "Conn Brass Serial Number List"
130150 1913
132400 1914
137000 1915
142575 1916

It just looked newer / more "modern" to me. Wonder what the bore size is and what size mouthpiece it takes?

I agree. I didn't notice that the OP posted the serial number above until... after... I made prediction about its vintage. It always pays to just read!

[HawaiiTromboneGuy]

In any case, I will know more for sure once the horn arrives. I’ll take some detailed photos as well and upload them here.

[Posaunus]

In any case, I will know more for sure once the horn arrives. I’ll take some detailed photos as well and upload them here.

Thanks!

[HawaiiTromboneGuy]

Horn has arrived. Here's some better photos of it. According to Conn Loyalist's serial number chart, it should date to 1913.

[norbie2018]

I cannot believe the amount of red brass on that instrument nor the shape it is in! Great find. How did it play?

[HawaiiTromboneGuy]

I cannot believe the amount of red brass on that instrument nor the shape it is in! Great find. How did it play?

It plays very well with both my Laskey 59MD and 93D. With the 59 it plays like a large tenor. With the 93 it feels like a mini bass. Triggered notes below the staff feel very open with very little resistance. Definitely an interesting horn.

The red brass on this thing is absolutely gorgeous and the horn is definitely in great shape.

[HawaiiTromboneGuy]

I think I did this correctly. Also note that the inner tubes are not original.

[Tbarh]

Amazing find, Drew! The bell looks narrow.. Smaller than 8 1/2"?

[HawaiiTromboneGuy]

Amazing find, Drew! The bell looks narrow.. Smaller than 8 1/2"?

It’s actually 8.5”!

[HawaiiTromboneGuy]

Comparison next to the Fuchs.

[FEWeathers]

I was chatting with you over on FB. Looks like you have what later became known as the 14H, with a rotary valve (instead of the other option, which was a piston valve). Or maybe this is what was later known as the 66H? Either way, a neat, in great shape, rare, and beautiful, horn.

[FEWeathers]

Not a pre-66H, or at least it doesn't look like this one in the BrassArk Museum.

http://www.brassark.com/museum/conn66hold.html

[HawaiiTromboneGuy]

Not a pre-66H, or at least it doesn't look like this one in the BrassArk Museum.

http://www.brassark.com/museum/conn66hold.html

Great detective work! It definitely looks nothing like Noah’s 66H.

[elmsandr]

Nothing like? Except for all the tubes drawn on probably the same tooling and the same general layout of the wrap and same generic specifications?

There are a LOT of differences, but to me that is mostly explained by the fact that these larger professional level horns were all virtually custom orders then. I'd say Noah's 66H looks like this thing's child.

Cheers,
Andy

[HawaiiTromboneGuy]

Nothing like? Except for all the tubes drawn on probably the same tooling and the same general layout of the wrap and same generic specifications?

There are a LOT of differences, but to me that is mostly explained by the fact that these larger professional level horns were all virtually custom orders then. I'd say Noah's 66H looks like this thing's child.

Cheers,
Andy

Valid points. You are correct in that these were custom orders back in the day. It’s just interesting that although similar, they’re still different in their own ways.

[blast]

Yes, my 1927 14H is the same basic idea but with TIS. All red brass, wide slide .547 bore 8 1/2" bell. It will be starting a run of Magic Flute on Monday. Great trombone.

Chris

[Elow]

This thing is cool, wow.

[BGuttman]

For what it's worth, Conn started using the letter designations (H for trombone) in 1919. This predates those numbers.

[walldaja]

Imagine the stories this horn could tell. Great find and thanks for the sharing.

[HawaiiTromboneGuy]

No problem. It’s a marvelous horn.

[PaulT]

Nice Sansevierias.

[Kingfan]

Beautiful horn. It's 40 years older than I am and in much better shape!