TromboneChat

A little show-and-tell here. I recently picked up a Conn 24H from 1961. It plays like a dream! I am stunned.

This is the last version of a 24H that Conn made. Per Conn Loyalist, it was made from 1959 to 1964 but these dates are not written in stone. Yellow brass bell, red brass outer tubes, 7" bell, .484 bore, and a beautiful slide. I generally assume peashooters like this aren't worth playing these days. Boy, was I wrong about this one!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8Kuu8x8ftTZh2B2e9

I owned a 24h from the 30s and it played much bigger than you would expect. Uses very little air. Similar to Bach NY 6. 24h is even more underrated than the NY6.

I'd be curious how it compares to the earlier 24H. I have a 1937 24H that plays great that's a keeper unless I stumbled into the late version like yours.

Links to early and late models. Same specs, set back bell, 484 slide 7" bell... Similar to the 4h. Most popular Conn trombone for a while in the early production.

As far as differences, the main slide brace of the early model had an additional gusset strap for strength, and slightly different braces, ferrules and cork barrels. The early slides were standard weight while the newer ones were light. Mine had bell and slide locks, but I'm not sure all early models did. I never played a newer one. I'd be willing to bet that the newer ones play bright while the older ones are darker, just based on the overall weight difference. Dj Kennedy might be able to speak to the differences more completely.

https://cderksen.home.xs4all.nl/Conn24H1940image.html
https://cderksen.home.xs4all.nl/Conn24H1961image.html

I had one foe a little while. It played great but was a bit too small for me. I couldn't put the petal to the metal without feeling backed up. When finessed it sang.

Here's a lesser known brit who was very active in the 50/60/70's,studio scene in London, Laddie Busby on his
Conn 24 H playing 'You Go To My Head'

Just georgeous playing ! These horns are so underated in my humble opinion.



Enjoy


BelllEnd

bellend wrote: ↑Wed May 25, 2022 5:29 am Here's a lesser known brit who was very active in the 50/60/70's,studio scene in London, Laddie Busby on his
Conn 24 H playing 'You Go To My Head'

Just georgeous playing ! These horns are so underated in my humble opinion.



Enjoy


BelllEnd

Beautiful!

--Andy in OKC

bellend wrote: ↑Wed May 25, 2022 5:29 am Here's a lesser known brit who was very active in the 50/60/70's,studio scene in London, Laddie Busby on his
Conn 24 H playing 'You Go To My Head'

Just georgeous playing ! These horns are so underated in my humble opinion.



Enjoy


BelllEnd

As you know, I sat next to the man and the trombone many times. Pure gold. He actually had two identical 24Hs...with NS outer slides. Taught we a lot.

bellend wrote: ↑Wed May 25, 2022 5:29 am Here's a lesser known brit who was very active in the 50/60/70's,studio scene in London, Laddie Busby on his
Conn 24 H playing 'You Go To My Head'

Just georgeous playing ! These horns are so underated in my humble opinion.



Enjoy


BelllEnd

Wow, what a great sound! Underrated indeed! Listening with modern ears you'd never know that this horn is as small as it is.

You're right, never would have suspected such a small bore horn. Thanks for sharing.

bellend wrote: ↑Wed May 25, 2022 5:29 am Here's a lesser known brit who was very active in the 50/60/70's,studio scene in London, Laddie Busby on his
Conn 24 H playing 'You Go To My Head'

Just georgeous playing ! These horns are so underated in my humble opinion.



Enjoy


BelllEnd

Thanks for reminding me of his playing……sumptuous playing

I had my early 24H out over the weekend to play with a fundraising cover band. There was a bit of Chicago, Blues Brothers, Van Morrison, and some other stuff. I love this horn! Plays bigger than I imagined, sounds sweet as sweet can be when needed, and will take on 3 saxes when needed. Viva la 24H!

Doug Bert has a late one on his site and it is calling me. I'm relocating and picking up a horn at the moment would be a bad thing but I suspect demand is not the highest on these horns. Maybe after the move is complete...

They are underrated. Lots of folks say "plays bigger than .485." But you'll see the same "feel bigger" comments about Bach 6s, 2Bs, Olds Supers, even the odd Holton. Maybe .485 just doesn't feel as small to actually play as it seems like it should in our heads! Isn't Alessi playing a Bach 6 in a quartet on an early album? Doesn't sound too puny.

I've played some 3Bs that feel smaller and stuffier than my 24H. I wouldn't play 3rd part in a loud band on one because I'd take my 32H. But I could. And it'd be fine. I've done it on a 2B (a pretty good one that wasn't mine).

As with any horn, there are differences from instrument to instrument and era to era. Not so long ago I had a 50's 24H and a 20's 24H. Different enough that the slide receivers weren't quite compatible (though close). I sold the younger one. The old one has a more distinctive sound. And pre-WWII carries some cache with me. I might have made a different choice if it were my only small horn.

It seems like there was a decent number of 24Hs made. I got both of mine from local Craigslist for very reasonable prices. In some sense, I'm happy they are kind of a secret. But I hope the low prices don't mean some are out there getting trashed in junior high pep band. There is what might be a nice looking 24H (or something about that size) on my local fb marketplace right now for not much. If only I had time to go take a look!

Paul

Isn't Alessi playing a Bach 6 in a quartet on an early album? Doesn't sound too puny.

Is he? Do you happen to know what album? I thought the smallest he played was a 36 for some commercial stuff (like when he subbed with big bands or stuff in his early career), but I'm not as familiar with some of his earlier recordings.