Conn 18H Director 1992: made where?

[tedthetrumpet]

I've just acquired a second-hand 1992 Conn 18H Director. Where would that have been made? What's the feeling about that era of Conn, well made or iffy? Seems to play quite nicely to me, more rounded tone than my 1972 16H.

[Thrawn22]

I'd think that'd be a 20H or 22H. I wanna say if it's an 18H from that era chances are it's made abroad.

[tedthetrumpet]

It certainly has 18H stamped on it. I'm thinking 1992 because the serial number has a 42 prefix, right?

[adrielo19]

Possibly made at King's plant in Eastlake, Ohio as Conn and King were subsidiaries of United Musical Instruments (UMI) from 1986 to 2003. The Conn Director 18H is a student model. I haven't personally played one, but since Conn left Elkhart, Indiana around 1970 the quality hasn't been the same.

[jorymil]

Perhaps post a pic or two? Perhaps someone here who's familiar with the various nuances of bracing, ferrules, cork barrels, etc. can help pinpoint whether you're on the right track with the serial number, and knows more about Conn's manufacturing processes.

Glad you like the horn!

[jorymil]

I'd think that'd be a 20H or 22H. I wanna say if it's an 18H from that era chances are it's made abroad.

Where was UMI doing their overseas production at that time? (Or could be in the Americas (Mexico, Brazil) as well.)

The history of manufacturing is interesting: as an avid bicyclist, I know that a lot of bicycles were being produced in Taiwan in the early 90s, then shifted to China. A lot of guitars were made in Korea, and obviously Fender has made instruments in Mexico for a long time.