Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

imsevimse
Posts: 1408
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:43 am
Location: Sweden

Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by imsevimse »

Write anything you want to share about the vintage Conn bass trombone models. What do we like about them? What do you know about their similarities and differences? Can you tell their story? Who played them? Modifications? Pictures?

I share a few pictures of my Conn bass trombones: 70h (1952), 72h (1963), 62h (1970), 73h (1977) and 71h (1979). I shared pictures with the help of "imageshare" You upload an image on their server and then copy and paste the URL.

This is the 72h on the left and the 70h on the right.
Image

Both have the same bell profile and they need the smaller cup. They have not the exact valve design and the braces are little different.

The 72h feels a bit larger compared to the 70h The 70h has a bit more "snappy" attacks and brightens up if played very loud. It has another spectra of sound with more colors. I'm thinking it must be the TIS. Both has the B when I pull the f-slide.

Here is the 72h (to the left) next to a 71h
Image

I tested both with the f-valve slide pulled as far as possible and on both the B is possible. Both must have longer slides compared to modern basses. 

I removed the f-tuningslides and compared them. The one on the Conn 72h is longer which means it can be pulled a few centimeters more compared to the 71h, but the maximum total length of both valves seems to be equal when I measure with a string. There is a difference in disposition of what is movable and what is not, but I'm not sure which is best and how this can work.

When I play both horns the 71h seems more thight compared to the 72h which is more open. I wonder what else is different? What about lead pipes? The 72h is an Elkhart from -63 and the 71h is an Abilene from -79.

From the pictures you can se there are differences in the tuningslide and valve section where the 71h misses three braces. 

I'm thinking the reason to build the 71h like this is it then shares the first valve design with the 73h. Maybe it was cheaper to have one valve design for the first valve. A design that works also when they add the next valve to build a 73h. You can see that on the next picture. The 72h and 71h plays different, but is it possible that might not have been their primary intention but a side effect?

Here is the 73h to the left and the 62h to the right.
Image

The 73h bell is the same as the 70h, 71h and 72h.
The bell on the 62h has another profile. It needs the larger cup, the cup that fit most modern basses.

The slide is the same length on 71h, 72h and 73h.
The 70h has a 2 cm longer slide compared to the 71h, 72h and 73h and of course can be extended since it has tuning in the slide. The 62h has a slide that is 4 cm shorter than the non TIS slides but can also be extended like the 70h since it has tuning in slide.

As you can see both the 73h and 62h has almost the same valve design or it's the longer goose neck on the 62h that makes them look a little different.

Both these horns came with the second valve in E. The 73h now has the "Stauffer D-slide" that is no longer made. I had Lars Gerdt (builds trumpets) in Stockholm to build me a copy of that "Stauffer D-slide" to fit the 62h.

When played the 73h feels smaller compared to the 62h.

The 62h is the only one that is red brass. The others are all yellow brass.

I played the same song on all five of them. The 71h and 73h definitely are more "tenorish". The sound of the 70h is very colourful. The 72h feels a bit larger compared to the 70h but I don't think it is. I don't know about any differences in lead pipes? I consider the 62h to have the broadest sound and is definitely largest sounding bass in the herd. All these horns are a joy to play.

/Tom
Last edited by imsevimse on Mon Apr 25, 2022 1:25 pm, edited 4 times in total.
walldaja
Posts: 417
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2018 1:51 pm
Location: New Albany, Ohio

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by walldaja »

Thanks for the information. I was holding out for a Conn 110 but the Yamaha got to me first. I did like that the Conn had a mechanical linkage. I have several friends who play 88Hs and have that sound in my head quite a bit.
Dave

2014 Shires Q30GR with 2CL
1982 King 607F with 13CL
Yamaha 421G Bass with Christian Lindberg 2CL / Bach 1 1/2G
Bach Soloist with 13CL
1967 Olds Ambassador with 10CL
1957 Besson 10-10
Jean Baptiste EUPCOMS with Stork 4
User avatar
Finetales
Posts: 858
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 12:31 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by Finetales »

I play an Elkhart 72H with Yamaha independent valves as my daily driver. I used to also have a stock single-valve 72H, which I played as my main axe for about a year on all kinds of modern rep until I got the double 72H. It seems like the 62H is the darling of the old Conn basses, while the 70-series (excluding the 70H I suppose) is ignored by comparison, especially as a main bass trombone. But I love the way they play and that classic, more compact sound - it matches my Elkhart 88H very well!
imsevimse
Posts: 1408
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:43 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by imsevimse »

Finetales wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 11:04 am I play an Elkhart 72H with Yamaha independent valves as my daily driver.
Is the second valve added to the tuningslide of the first valve? This is one way to do it, or is it a complete rebuild?

/Tom
User avatar
HawaiiTromboneGuy
Posts: 741
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2018 10:37 am

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by HawaiiTromboneGuy »

Here’s a link for now. I’ll post more tidbits about it after work.

https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=9297
Drew A.
Professional bum.
User avatar
HawaiiTromboneGuy
Posts: 741
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2018 10:37 am

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by HawaiiTromboneGuy »

Here’s another quick link. Not sure if it was marketed as a very large tenor or possible bass at the time.

https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=9433
Drew A.
Professional bum.
imsevimse
Posts: 1408
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:43 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by imsevimse »

HawaiiTromboneGuy wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 12:29 pm Here’s a link for now. I’ll post more tidbits about it after work.

https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=9297
Nice horns :good: Is that a Conn 70h "Fuchs" model?
HawaiiTromboneGuy wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 12:32 pm Here’s another quick link. Not sure if it was marketed as a very large tenor or possible bass at the time.

https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=9433
Do you suspect this this to be a 14h or 66h?

What do we know about the Fuchs and 14h and 66h?

/Tom
Bone2Bwild
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2018 1:34 pm

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by Bone2Bwild »

I have nice a 1971 Abilene 62H. I bought it about 18 months ago and I'm part way through splitting the triggers using some lovely instrument innovations parts. When I got it the valve top plates were very loose and had to peined to fit securely. I also closed down the bearings and lapped them back in. The F section was quite flat, so I had to cut some off the tuning slide.

The slide wasn't bad, but I've taken it apart to make it as straight as possible :-) I might pull the leadpipe, but haven't decided on that yet.

It came with a long thin D slide, so I'll stick with that as it plays fine and looks quite cool.

I'm looking forward to playing it again - it's much more interesting than my modern 62H which is quite one dimensional.

I'll post some pics when I've finished it :-)

Andy
User avatar
Burgerbob
Posts: 4526
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2018 8:10 pm
Location: LA
Contact:

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by Burgerbob »

I had a 60H for a while. I had the leadpipe pulled because the old one was trashed. It was a neat horn, but like any single I couldn't imagine what to do with it. Even now, a year after I sold it, I can't think of a gig where it would have been a better choice than my other horns.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
User avatar
Savio
Posts: 449
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2018 5:23 pm

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by Savio »

Tom, how did you get all this nice trombones? I have the 60h and two 70h. Thanks for posting pictures of these wonderful trombones. I believe it's a big difference between 60 and 70 series. But between the different 70 series the difference is not that big. Consistency was maybe not the strongest side among the vintage trombones, so no example of let's say 70h are the same.
User avatar
HawaiiTromboneGuy
Posts: 741
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2018 10:37 am

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by HawaiiTromboneGuy »

imsevimse wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 1:29 pm
HawaiiTromboneGuy wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 12:29 pm Here’s a link for now. I’ll post more tidbits about it after work.

https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=9297
Nice horns :good: Is that a Conn 70h "Fuchs" model?
HawaiiTromboneGuy wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 12:32 pm Here’s another quick link. Not sure if it was marketed as a very large tenor or possible bass at the time.

https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=9433
Do you suspect this this to be a 14h or 66h?

What do we know about the Fuchs and 14h and 66h?

/Tom
Yes, that is a special order 70H Fuchs made with yellow brass.

As for the other horn, I’m not entirely sure which exact model this is. It shares similar characteristics with the old 14H and 66H models.
Drew A.
Professional bum.
bigbandbone
Posts: 583
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2019 7:45 am

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by bigbandbone »

I just bought a 1963 72H. Playing mainly big band and a little community band. It's my first bass bone. I'm still in the honeymoon phase with it, but thumbs up so far. Trying to decide on a mouthpiece right now.
User avatar
Finetales
Posts: 858
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 12:31 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by Finetales »

imsevimse wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 11:50 am
Finetales wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 11:04 am I play an Elkhart 72H with Yamaha independent valves as my daily driver.
Is the second valve added to the tuningslide of the first valve? This is one way to do it, or is it a complete rebuild?

/Tom
Complete rebuild. Looks like a Xeno from a distance! I'll try to get a good pic sometime today.
User avatar
Bloo
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2018 5:53 pm

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by Bloo »

Played a 110H from the 60s with a custom Hagmann valve. It was loaned from a professor at my local uni. I played bass in a community brass choir for a year. It blended easily and was loud enough to only be one of two basses.
I also used it to play a few performances with my brass quintet. We performed before the choir a few times, and travel arrangements meant I was unable to take my tenor. With a tenor mouthpiece, the 110h still sounded wonderful and did the job. Not as well as a tenor, but as well as a bass could.

The 110h suited any style I wanted to use it for, and even stepped outside of the role and filled a tenor role on occasion. It was a dream to play. The only thing I don't like is how large the bell is. Would much prefer a 9 - 8.5 inch bell over the 10" monster I played.

Overall?
I really want one and I ache every time I play my current bass.
I'm partial to vintage Conn horns, and new Getzens.
hornbuilder
Posts: 854
Joined: Wed May 02, 2018 9:20 pm

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by hornbuilder »

Bone2BWild. Your horn is not Abilene if it was made in '71. The move didn't occur until 1973. There were horns made in Elkhart with "Made in USA" engraved on the bell, which carried over fir a few years in Abilene, before they switched to "Abilene, Texas" engraving. Check the serial number, that is the only definitive piece of information to determine where it was made.
Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
Bone2Bwild
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2018 1:34 pm

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by Bone2Bwild »

hornbuilder wrote: Mon Jul 15, 2019 7:38 am Bone2BWild. Your horn is not Abilene if it was made in '71. The move didn't occur until 1973. There were horns made in Elkhart with "Made in USA" engraved on the bell, which carried over fir a few years in Abilene, before they switched to "Abilene, Texas" engraving. Check the serial number, that is the only definitive piece of information to determine where it was made.
Thanks Matthew - I wasn’t aware that the move wasn’t until 1973. I’ll check the serial number for the year. It’s definitely Abilene made as it is engraved on the bell. It looks like Elkhart parts assembled in Abilene, but maybe that’s just wishful thinking 😀.

It definitely knocks the modern 62H into a cocked hat!

Andy
sf105
Posts: 255
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 12:28 pm

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by sf105 »

bigbandbone wrote: Sun Jul 14, 2019 7:59 am I just bought a 1963 72H. Playing mainly big band and a little community band. It's my first bass bone. I'm still in the honeymoon phase with it, but thumbs up so far. Trying to decide on a mouthpiece right now.
A good 72H (they weren't all) is a lot of fun. Watch out for the unusual shank on older Conns, Doug Elliott makes appropriate shanks, and I like Bill Symington's 1 1/2G copy.

S
imsevimse
Posts: 1408
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:43 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by imsevimse »

sf105 wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 5:03 pm
bigbandbone wrote: Sun Jul 14, 2019 7:59 am I just bought a 1963 72H. Playing mainly big band and a little community band. It's my first bass bone. I'm still in the honeymoon phase with it, but thumbs up so far. Trying to decide on a mouthpiece right now.
A good 72H (they weren't all) is a lot of fun. Watch out for the unusual shank on older Conns, Doug Elliott makes appropriate shanks, and I like Bill Symington's 1 1/2G copy.

S
I had Karl Mammond make me a 20BL with Remington taper to fit these old Conns. To have the right mouthpiece is a difference you can feel.

/Tom
imsevimse
Posts: 1408
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:43 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by imsevimse »

Savio wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 3:45 pm Tom, how did you get all this nice trombones? I have the 60h and two 70h. Thanks for posting pictures of these wonderful trombones. I believe it's a big difference between 60 and 70 series. But between the different 70 series the difference is not that big. Consistency was maybe not the strongest side among the vintage trombones, so no example of let's say 70h are the same.
Yes I've understood especially the 70h is very different from the early models to the ones built in the 50ies. I've played a 60h once that was really good. I would like one of those but at the moment more trombones are not my priority. How I got my Conn basses? The 73h I found used in a shop. This was about seven/eight years ago. The 70h I got from Dillon music. The 71h and 62h I got from ebay and the 72h I bought from a friend. Prices were a lot cheaper when I bought those, especially Ebay prices but since new trombones got more expensive the after market went along with that. I would not buy of ebay today because prices are now to high. I would rather choose to buy from a shop of from a friend as prices are the same or can be cheaper..

/Tom
bigbandbone
Posts: 583
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2019 7:45 am

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by bigbandbone »

imsevimse wrote: Sat Jul 20, 2019 3:30 pm
Savio wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 3:45 pm Tom, how did you get all this nice trombones? I have the 60h and two 70h. Thanks for posting pictures of these wonderful trombones. I believe it's a big difference between 60 and 70 series. But between the different 70 series the difference is not that big. Consistency was maybe not the strongest side among the vintage trombones, so no example of let's say 70h are the same.
Yes I've understood especially the 70h is very different from the early models to the ones built in the 50ies. I've played a 60h once that was really good. I would like one of those but at the moment more trombones are not my priority. How I got my Conn basses? The 73h I found used in a shop. This was about seven/eight years ago. The 70h I got from Dillon music. The 71h and 62h I got from ebay and the 72h I bought from a friend. Prices were a lot cheaper when I bought those, especially Ebay prices but since new trombones got more expensive the after market went along with that. I would not buy of ebay today because prices are now to high. I would rather choose to buy from a shop of from a friend as prices are the same or can be cheaper..

/Tom
I bought my 72H from the Sam Ash Used Gear website. I'm in Cleveland and the horn was in Huston. The price with shipping was very good! They even let me dicker for a better price! The thing that sold me about buying from them online was their return policy. If I didn't like it I could return it to my local Sam Ash Store for a full refund. No return shipping. The horn did need a little work, but is in overall great condition for a 1963 72H.
I couldn't find anything else on line in my price range.
User avatar
Savio
Posts: 449
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2018 5:23 pm

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by Savio »

The history of instrument development is interesting. Conn and Bach was a big part of it. Today there is a lot more companies involved. More of the small companies that specialise in making brass instruments. And I believe it’s a must because everything change. There is a lot of good trombones and trombone makers out there. And they have to follow the needs and wishes from the players, bands and schools. And more and more customising from the pro players. I think Instruments is getting better and better. But there is still something with the old Conn Elkhart trombones that’s making our heart beat little more. There is something about them and many have tried to find out how they was made.

Tom, the 70h was not made after 1955. I wonder why they stopped making it?
I sold one 70h from 1941 and I regret it. It was the best.

Leif.
User avatar
greenbean
Posts: 1784
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 6:14 pm
Location: San Francisco

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by greenbean »

I have a 70H from 1937. So easy to play and it sounds great. I use a Conn 3B mouthpiece.
IMG_8631.JPG
IMG_8632.JPG
IMG_8633.JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Tom in San Francisco
Currently playing...
Bach Corp 16M
Many French horns
User avatar
greenbean
Posts: 1784
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 6:14 pm
Location: San Francisco

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by greenbean »

IMG_8636 2.JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Tom in San Francisco
Currently playing...
Bach Corp 16M
Many French horns
wayne88ny
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu May 24, 2018 12:19 am

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by wayne88ny »

The 71H/73H has a narrower tuning slide than the 72H.
User avatar
EdwardSolomon
Posts: 104
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 5:01 am
Location: London, UK
Contact:

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by EdwardSolomon »

Here's my stable.

Image

Top to bottom:
1970 Conn 62H (reworked by Larry Minick)
1942 Conn 70H
1969 Conn 88H
swissbone
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 7:56 am

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by swissbone »

Here's my Minick Conn 60h/62h bass trombone :D


Image
Image
Image
Image
User avatar
SwissTbone
Posts: 993
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 11:40 pm
Contact:

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by SwissTbone »

You are in switzerland. I am in switzerland. You got a nice bone. When can we meet so I can give it a blow? :-)
ƒƒ---------------------------------------------------ƒƒ
Like trombones? Head over to https://swisstbone.com/ to see some great vintage and custom horns!
swissbone
Posts: 17
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 7:56 am

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by swissbone »

cozzagiorgi wrote: Mon Aug 05, 2019 2:13 pm You are in switzerland. I am in switzerland. You got a nice bone. When can we meet so I can give it a blow? :-)
Sure, anytime😉 Hit me Up! Email or PM
WGWTR180
Posts: 1211
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2019 2:32 pm

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by WGWTR180 »

Finetales wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 11:04 am I play an Elkhart 72H with Yamaha independent valves as my daily driver. I used to also have a stock single-valve 72H, which I played as my main axe for about a year on all kinds of modern rep until I got the double 72H. It seems like the 62H is the darling of the old Conn basses, while the 70-series (excluding the 70H I suppose) is ignored by comparison, especially as a main bass trombone. But I love the way they play and that classic, more compact sound - it matches my Elkhart 88H very well!
Mind sharing a pic of the double valve 72H?
User avatar
Finetales
Posts: 858
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 12:31 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by Finetales »

WGWTR180 wrote: Sun Sep 08, 2019 7:50 amMind sharing a pic of the double valve 72H?
Sorry for the delay, here's a few pics.

Image
Image
Image

It really looks like a Xeno from a distance, and most people assume it is one.

It still has some work to be done (adjust the slide lock so it works properly, modify the linkage so it fits my hand better and I can use the thumb trigger paddle (rather than leaving it bare as it is now), slightly shorten the main tuning slide so I have a little more wiggle room), but it's a wonderful player.
WGWTR180
Posts: 1211
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2019 2:32 pm

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by WGWTR180 »

Looks great. Any issues with sizing using the original Conn slide receiver on the valve set? Also looks like you added some tuning slide guards?
imsevimse
Posts: 1408
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:43 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by imsevimse »

greenbean wrote: Mon Jul 22, 2019 9:19 am IMG_8636 2.JPG
That horn looks very interesting. If I stumble across a Fuchs over here I will consider to buy.

/Tom
imsevimse
Posts: 1408
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:43 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by imsevimse »

Finetales wrote: Mon Sep 23, 2019 2:48 pm
WGWTR180 wrote: Sun Sep 08, 2019 7:50 amMind sharing a pic of the double valve 72H?
It really looks like a Xeno from a distance, and most people assume it is one.

It still has some work to be done (adjust the slide lock so it works properly, modify the linkage so it fits my hand better and I can use the thumb trigger paddle (rather than leaving it bare as it is now), slightly shorten the main tuning slide so I have a little more wiggle room), but it's a wonderful player.
Nice horn!

/Tom
User avatar
Finetales
Posts: 858
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 12:31 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by Finetales »

WGWTR180 wrote: Tue Sep 24, 2019 11:04 am Looks great. Any issues with sizing using the original Conn slide receiver on the valve set? Also looks like you added some tuning slide guards?
I actually bought the horn this way, so I didn't do any of the work. Not sure if the TS guards were added or not, but the receiver has no issues.
WGWTR180
Posts: 1211
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2019 2:32 pm

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by WGWTR180 »

Thanks. Great looking horn. One never knows when adding a modern valve set to a vintage instrument how it will turn out.
imsevimse
Posts: 1408
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:43 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by imsevimse »

WGWTR180 wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 6:13 am Thanks. Great looking horn. One never knows when adding a modern valve set to a vintage instrument how it will turn out.
At one occasion I tried several modernized vintage horns. About ten were single basses that had been converted to inline double thayers They were all Conn basses. Conn 70h and 72H all with open wrap. Since I have the original horns at home I had them fresh in memory. My thought was the same for every converted horn I tried and that was the original character of the horns were lost. If the original character is not what you seek then it is fine, but to me the original character is what I like. It is probably the thayers. Some like that and think this opens up the horn, to me it is not an improvement. I like a little more resistance in the valve register. This is one reason I will not convert or change them much. The only thing I would consider with my horns besides the D-slide would be to split the triggers.

/Tom
WGWTR180
Posts: 1211
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2019 2:32 pm

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by WGWTR180 »

imsevimse wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 10:36 am
WGWTR180 wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 6:13 am Thanks. Great looking horn. One never knows when adding a modern valve set to a vintage instrument how it will turn out.
At one occasion I tried several modernized vintage horns. About ten were single basses that had been converted to inline double thayers They were all Conn basses. Conn 70h and 72H all with open wrap. Since I have the original horns at home I had them fresh in memory. My thought was the same for every converted horn I tried and that was the original character of the horns were lost. If the original character is not what you seek then it is fine, but to me the original character is what I like. It is probably the thayers. Some like that and think this opens up the horn, to me it is not an improvement. I like a little more resistance in the valve register. This is one reason I will not convert or change them much. The only thing I would consider with my horns besides the D-slide would be to split the triggers.

/Tom
100% agree with you.
User avatar
Savio
Posts: 449
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2018 5:23 pm

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by Savio »

Today I played the 70h in the opera Hansel and Gretel. I never used the 70h in an orchestra before but this experience was a wake up for me. It works wonderful. I did listen Chris play my 70h just some time ago so I knew that trombone could sound big and powerful. It worked wonderful, have to play it a little different than my Holton I always used in orchestra. But I felt in fact nearly everything was more easy on the 70h. A couple of times I had problem because I tried to play too loud. Because Im used to another type of horn. Solution is just to keep the head a little cold and focus on making a loud controlled big sound. My God it works wonders! The tuba player had never seen such a horn, and he loved the sound. The soft passages? No cloudy sound, a dream to play. But most of all, intonation is much more easy. Its strange from a 70 year old trombone, but so it is. Im usually a little afraid 7nt and 5th position. This horn was just straight on everytime. Or it felt so...... :biggrin:

So today was first rehearsel and I just felt home from first note and feel so exited for tomorrow. Its fun guys, you should really try out the 70h :good: :good: :good:

Leif
FOSSIL
Posts: 685
Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:41 am

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by FOSSIL »

Leif, I am delighted that the old Conn is serving you so well. I really liked that trombone when I tried it. I will be using my 70H in Tosca next week. They are great horns.

Chris
imsevimse
Posts: 1408
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:43 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by imsevimse »

I will bring my 70H to the rehearsal with the big band I'm playing in Thursdays. I got very good comments on that horn the last rehearsal when I brought that horn. Other horns that I reasently brought to that band is a Conn 72h, Holton 169, Kanstul 1662, Olds p24G, King 6B "Duo Gravis". No horn got the same credits as the 70h. I will use it on the the next gig we do, the 2/10.
Last edited by imsevimse on Wed Sep 25, 2019 11:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Finetales
Posts: 858
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 12:31 pm
Location: Los Angeles
Contact:

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by Finetales »

imsevimse wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2019 10:36 amMy thought was the same for every converted horn I tried and that was the original character of the horns were lost.
Thankfully that is not the case with mine. For a long time I had two 72H bell sections: a stock single valve section (also '60s Elkhart, that I used for a year before the indy section showed up) and the indy section. You'll never add a valve to an instrument and not have a significant change, but the character I fell in love with was not lost. I would sometimes bring both bell sections to big band gigs and switch to the single on appropriate repertoire. Friends of mine in the audience told me that while both sections sounded like classic Conn, the indy section sounded beefier and broader.

I eventually sold the single section because I wasn't playing anything it would be useful for and I needed the money, but I miss it. There is NOTHING that feels as good playing vintage big band rep than a good vintage Conn single. They are so light, agile, and characterful. It feels like driving a sports car. But my indy 72H affords me that character while being able to tackle any modern rep as well. A little more work to play, but much easier on the slide hand!
User avatar
Savio
Posts: 449
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2018 5:23 pm

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by Savio »

Image
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AnFhNyFesmcYhaJsEV3XljMP4HB-Xg

Hope you can see the beauty? Took away all the braces on the slide because there was a loose joint.

Cheers!

Leif
imsevimse
Posts: 1408
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2018 10:43 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by imsevimse »

Savio wrote: Thu Sep 26, 2019 2:27 pm Image
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AnFhNyFesmcYhaJsEV3XljMP4HB-Xg

Hope you can see the beauty? Took away all the braces on the slide because there was a loose joint.

Cheers!

Leif
Ok? Is this your 70h but with the braces from the slide are removed. Is it a TIS but with no screw to tune the slide?

I brought my Conn 70h to the rehearsal with a big band today and it was a winner. All favours this horn before mh Kanstul 1662 that I brought last week. The gig is Wednesday. I will do it on the 70h. It blends real well have to rely on fake notes.

Tom/
User avatar
Savio
Posts: 449
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2018 5:23 pm

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by Savio »

Yes Tom, brace's and the tuning screw are removed but I can still tune it. The 70h is an amazing trombone Tom, I can understand why the others in your big band like it!
Leif
FOSSIL
Posts: 685
Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:41 am

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by FOSSIL »

Hopefully I have attached a couple of shots of the 70H.

Chris
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
SwissTbone
Posts: 993
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 11:40 pm
Contact:

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by SwissTbone »

FOSSIL wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2019 4:03 am Hopefully I have attached a couple of shots of the 70H.

Chris
Where's the TIS mechanism?
ƒƒ---------------------------------------------------ƒƒ
Like trombones? Head over to https://swisstbone.com/ to see some great vintage and custom horns!
FOSSIL
Posts: 685
Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:41 am

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by FOSSIL »

cozzagiorgi wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2019 4:52 am
FOSSIL wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2019 4:03 am Hopefully I have attached a couple of shots of the 70H.

Chris
Where's the TIS mechanism?
Well, with the tuning in the J section it doesn't need slide tuning....

Chris
User avatar
SwissTbone
Posts: 993
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 11:40 pm
Contact:

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by SwissTbone »

FOSSIL wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2019 5:36 am
cozzagiorgi wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2019 4:52 am

Where's the TIS mechanism?
Well, with the tuning in the J section it doesn't need slide tuning....

Chris
:-) now I see it.
ƒƒ---------------------------------------------------ƒƒ
Like trombones? Head over to https://swisstbone.com/ to see some great vintage and custom horns!
FOSSIL
Posts: 685
Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:41 am

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by FOSSIL »

cozzagiorgi wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2019 6:43 am
FOSSIL wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2019 5:36 am
Well, with the tuning in the J section it doesn't need slide tuning....

Chris
:-) now I see it.
I should have been a bit more forthcoming.... it's a 1934 70H that has been totally reworked in the style of Earl Williams. No curved hand brace as I don't like them. German valve, J bend tuning, lightweight slide, wide bottom bow. Every joint resoldered. How does it play ?
Stupidly well !!! Way better than the stock incarnation... many hours of work, but worth it. I left all the small bruises in and have not buffed it... I think that is cool in a rat-rod sort of way.

Chris
User avatar
BGuttman
Posts: 5893
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:19 am
Location: Cow Hampshire

Re: Vintage Conn Bass Trombones - pictures, specifications, characteristics. Who played them?

Post by BGuttman »

Would a 70H with tuning in the bell really be more like a 72H? I realize that a 72H has a lot more bracing in the bell section.
Bruce Guttman
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
Post Reply

Return to “Instruments”