TromboneChat

Anyone have any information on Conn slide markings/serial numbers? I have an 88H I bought blind off ebay (5 years ago) for my son. Serial number is 514833 (which looks like maybe elkhart??). The bell is an Abilene bell with made in usa markings. The slide has the markings C1675. So, appears to be mix of parts but wanted to date the slide for proper identification.

There should be two letters before the 6 digit serial number. The first 514833 would predate the 88H model. Also, Elkhart 88H trombones were all marked Elkhart. Conn USA started in Abilene and continued after.

There definitely aren't any letters before the number. Not faded or rubbed off or anything. I guess it might be possible the GA was left off somehow which would make it 1975 Abilene and match the bell. And make more sense.

If the letters are two numbers should be five.

Glog wrote: ↑Thu Jul 04, 2019 10:51 pm If the letters are two numbers should be five.

Hmmm. the site I was looking at showed 6 numbers but looking at more sites most show 5 if G(a) is used. The numbers are stamped on the support brace nearest the slide and are very clear. Also the C1675 on the slide are also located on a brace. I see the 95-96 used a 5(space) prefix with 6 numbers but ??? definately not there. .

This is the year 2001

To accurately date a horn, it is useful to have photos of the bell engraving, F-att wrap, both sides of the valve, and valve lever/mechanism. Having just the serial # is guess work...

I don't think 2001 is correct but ??? It's a gen I, String linkage, and adding 50 to the serial would only leave 4833 left as the number. The bell shows CONN 88H USA Any other pics you need just let me know.

Sometime in the 1990's is the best I can do. That is a good thing - they are usually good players. And it probably has the longer slide, which is nice.

Yes forgot about that. It does have the long slide. Still don't understand the serial numbers. They just make no sense to me.

Yep that's definitely an Eastlake horn based on the engraving, but looks to be made before the Gen-2's. Eastlake Conn's started around '87 and the Gen-2's came out later in the 90's, so it must be from that era.

It's very simple, A -1991y year.
The first two numbers +50
These trombones are better than 80s

Not that simple... First 2 numbers plus 50 would be 2001 right?? But that would put it in gen II range. Most of the plus 50 years had seven numbers not six

I had 112H 1995, the letter E
After the letter, four digits. And six digits on the front of the bell.
The same numbering for Conn,King and Bench UMI

Glog wrote: ↑Fri Jul 05, 2019 8:21 pm It's very simple, A -1991y year.
The first two numbers +50
These trombones are better than 80s

Not quite. The 50+ series started 1987. Two digits for the year, a space, and a 6-digit serial #. For example, 41 xxxxxx would be a 1991 horn.

The first two digits of a 6-digit serial number never indicated the year, I am quite sure.

GA600000 1976
GA700000 1977
GA800000 1978
GA900000 1979
HA000000 1980
HA165000 1981
HA23431 1982
HA33389 1983
HA45522 1984
HA58992 1985
HA68842 1986
HA76618,
37 000001 1987
38 000001 1988
39 000001 1989
40 000001 1990
41 000001 1991
42 000001 1992
43 000001 1993
44 000001 1994
45 000001 1995
- -
- -
- -
- -
5 000001 2000
- -
Before 2000 there is no place.

Right. I think during those years, they used a 6-digit serial #. No year.