article. The changeover occurs from New Wonder II style transitional to 6M transitional with the switching of the bell keys from a split bell key design (New Wonder II style) to left-hand bell keys (6M style), which happens around serial number 245,xxx in 1931. After 1937 all 26Ms were marked VIII until the end of production in 1942. Alto $ 2200 Conn never called these horns Chu Berry, but were stuck with the name. Tenor $ 2800 View similar gear from other sellers on Reverb. Satin It was designed by my good friend and legend Santy Runyon. This can lead to what we call transitional models, which have some new and some old features. > Ask the seller privately for the number and do a search for that instrument. The fourth character indicated the instrument: The remaining numbers indicated the production number within the month. (etc.) I understand there were a few made with sterling silver bells. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging.Learn More. Ive used a The Martin baritone for years. Baritone Zephyr $ 2900 Alto $1800 But what does the A suffixmean? The tarnish will clean completely off during the . "My Conn Bari Sax has a n at the beginning of the serial number so this [the earlier post that N = clarinet] must be wrong." Conn Trumpet Notes- Vol. plating choices Conn had. Tenor 10M $ 3400 Youll see these with different keywork styles, and almost always with elaborate engraving. All Rights Reserved. Google Ads Service uses this cookie to collect information about from multiple websites for retargeting ads. Alto $ 2400 IX No. "Transitional" page. to refer to these horns by model number only. Plate (6) - A horn It is a late transitional 10M (notice no 10M stamp by the serial number quite yet) and it is original lacquer. keys and ferrules gold-plated and burnished. Alto $ 1200 Tenor $1200 Google DoubleClick IDE cookies are used to store information about how the user uses the website to present them with relevant ads and according to the user profile. Theres a real oversupply of alto horns. The other members of the family still had the True Tone label. Conn Tenth Edition Wonder Catalogue, 1885 C.G. Lady" engraving (might have only been high pitch models. C Melody Tenor or for information regarding use/reproduction MODELE 22 750 4450 C melody $ 800 This article includes (with permission) information from posts on the forum at Saxontheweb by saxophone historian/geek Paul Lindemeyer, author of Celebrating the Saxophone, and photos and information from Brian at Getasax.com. The markingVIIIappears until about 1945. Alto Zephyr Spcl. The Constellation 28M alto has three octave vents and the best feeling mechanism around, along with a high tech (for the era) plastic key guard. Although the dates in these charts are reasonably accurate, there may be some discrepancies for various reasons. Conn Trumpet Notes Catalogue - Vol. -around 270k, the engraving gets larger. There are quite a few saxophone serial number charts on the internet, these ones have mostly been adapted from existing manufacturers and saxophone enthusiasts charts. Made in 1930, with wonderful art-deco engraving. Additionally, If you have one or have pictures of one, please contact It does not store any personal data. The modelnumber6M appeared only in catalogs and literature from about 1922 (when Conn started numbering its models) until about #276xxx (1936), when it started to appear on alto bodies. Plate (2) For altos, the serial number range of the transitional horns is roughly 234,000 to 270,000- give or take a few- which means from roughly 1930 to 1935. 1991. From 1965 until 1988, these fine German horns (manufactured by J. Keilworth) were distributed at various times by W. T. Armstrong and Conn. Tenor $ 3000 Add 20% for silver. All of the Martin horns have a sweet sound, and a very lush lower end. It is my opinion that the Conn 6M Transitional is a fantastic buy in vintage alto saxophones. Deduct 10% for lacquer, add 30% for gold. Its been done with the Buescher New Aristocrats to some degree, but only because theyre such prized classical instruments and the variations are fewer neck stamps01, **, 3in a very limited serial range of #263k-268k (1931-34). only gold-plated horns I have seen throughout this series My late transitional is zippier and slightly brighter. Jun 11, 2021. 400 SERIES 291XXX - 381XXX . when dealing with the 1960s and later Conns it is good to provide a photo of the horn. > Silver & Gold (1) The problem up to now has been that no one has made any measurements or other tests on these particular horns. > Burnished Gold Plate (00), 8M Model: Start # End # Worcester: 1 (1888) 3,200 (1898) Wonder Improved: unknown (1895) 41,000 (1917) New Invention: 16,000 (1910) 23,000 (1912) . 22M F Mezzo Soprano M SERIES 260XXX 834XXX > Nickel Plate (6) 15 August 2012 Corrected some HTML errors and moved all instruments in the trumpet section to the gray color scheme. They are undervalued. horns is the switch from split to one-sided bell keys. Pristine examples bring top dollar. Baritone $3000. that had most of the features of a "Naked Lady" Bass $ 7500. Add 20% for gold plate. Most of the Zephyr series was in lacquer, add 15% for silver. > Silver & Gold (1) have that much of any change after s/n 220xxx -- and the tenor Sopranino, soprano, baritone, and bass Mk VIs were made until the introduction of the Super 80 series. Interestingly, the alto I have seen (206,xxxAX serial number, pictured below) has almost every feature to be found on the eventual 6M. > Silver > Silver But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Alto $ 2000 Bb Tenor found a website that lists conn serial numbers up to 1968. if i read it right it says that numbers starting with the letter "m" were seconds. You can buy two wonderful old Conns for what some people are asking for Selmers of the same era. in keywork design. ARISTOCRAT 330XXX 360XXX and "satin" means "frosted" or "matte" when referring to Date Serial Number 1894 High Pitched Models 2,000 1895 2,000 1896 2,000 1897 2,500 1898 3,000 1899 3,500 1900 3,900 1901 4,400 1902 5,100 1903 6,700 1904 8,500 1905 9,600 1906 10,800 1907 12,000 1908 13,000 1909 : Highly polished brass throughout, pearl inlaid finger tips Its generally agreed that Selmer made some of the very best horns of all time. in the elimination of the "buzzy A"; the octave didn't change until around 263xxx. Please also note that "burnished" means "mirror-like" Take it for what you will. But on the other hand the first one (a tenor)I worked on came from the family of a Conn factory worker, who were under the impression it was a prototype with the X standing for experimental, which was not intended for sale and is why the worker took it home so many years ago. Alto 6M $ 2000 horns stamped viii seem to play best Tenor $5500 Serial Numbers section: Replaced Conn brass Serial Number list with version Revision 1. In most cases the reason is for the one stated above, but it is always worth checking when buying an instrument. Although the stamp is not shown in the photos, its existence is confirmed by its previous owner and its current owner. There are a few examples with gold inlay on the silver bell (add 15%), a few rare silver plated horns (I own one, add 20%); and a very few gold plated ones (add 25%). SN: 246065 Gold Plate Art Deco Transitional SN: 248650 RARE Transitional 6M in Gold Plate SN: 250151 Gold Plate Transitional 6M SN: 250404 Silver Plate Transitional 6M SN: 250669 Lacquer Transitional 6M SN: 254135 Silver Plate Transitional 6M SN: 257986 Gold Plate Transitional 6M SN: 267736 TENOR SAX Experimental "Transitional" Prototype SN: 247803 See our cookie policy here. They will always have snap in pads and Norton springs. The beautiful The VIII featured a new microtuner, a one-piece, nonswivel thumbhook, and some unknown changes to the neck. This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. So who knows? This is most evident in the change from The me! Keys inlaid with I have based my valuations upon the following assumptions: (1) the instrument is in perfect playing condition and needs nothing in terms of repair (2) the finish is original and completely intact (3) the original case is intact (4) the instrument has not been altered or modified from its original condition, having the correct style pads, springs, no neck pickups etc. This list is not correct for Conn saxophones (see Conn Woodwind Serial Numbers) or Conn bugles (see Pan American Brass Serial Numbers). 32. keys. my donation or the profits from the banner ads & calendar going toward? Ive seen a couple of people pay some really stupid prices for these. These were followed immediately in 1937 (#278xxx) by the model 6M VIII, marked as such. -the nickname New York Neck, of unknown origin, usually used for the non-tuner overslung, but sometimes confused with theMETROneck The fourth character indicated the instrument: "1" = Cornet, "2" = Trumpet, "3" = Alto Horn, "4" = French Horn, "5" = Mellophone, "6" = Valve Trombone, "7" = Slide Trombone, "8" = Baritone Horn & Euphonium, "9" = Tuba, and "10" = Sousaphone. Over the next few years, features would be introduced to Conns saxophone line that resulted by about 1934 in a saxophone that was light years ahead in craftsmanship, mechanical design, and intonation compared to the New Wonder Series II. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. note that there are later relacquered Baritone $ 3400 has no chromatic F# There seems to be more demand for the five digit horns, and some snobs reject the higher numbered examples. I think the ones below around 275000 are good horns, and that you should be careful above that number. > Silver and pearl rollers. rolled-tone-hole (LP), Eb Baritone Naked Lady with They lost their rolled tone holes after WWII. In other words, corrections, suggestions or picture submissions: saxpics@gmail.com. Ideally you should have a record of the serial number with your sales receipt and won your insurance details. Tenors and alto horns only. TRANSITIONAL 240XXX 260XXX starting around s/n 260xxx (1934). > Nickel Alto Zephyr $1800 Tenor $ 7000 Baritone $2500. Copyright 1994 - 2023. The prices range from around $1000 for one in not-so-great shape needing an overhaul to around $2700 for a freshly overhauled excellent condition example- with the rare gold plate or an extremely pristine STDD or VIII stamped version sometimes going for a bit more than that. I've not seen Finish 5 on any error, or have an instrument produced before roughly 1970 (see serial number ARISTOCRAT 290XXX 325XXX BIG B chromatic F# touchpiece changes from teardrop to bar These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Conn Transitional Tenor Saxophone serial number 243778. Couesnon Models; 1900 . keywork before their alto and tenor siblings, which is a rather I have personally worked on two tenors and an alto built by Conn that were stamped with an X after the serial number. Alto $1000 Used with permission.). From 1987 on, the two-digit prefix number plus 50 will give you the year of manufacture. Most are in silver. from 1930 to 1940. Sopranino $ 2100 I think this finish choice is possible, Ive always thought that horns without the optional high F# key played a little better. introduced until the 6M "Naked Lady" models, Inside of Gold Plate (00). necessarily indicative of a "Transitional" horn! Please check the fields highlighted in red. Europe. These later examples play very well, but you should deduct 50%.. All of this series is mostly found in lacquer, so add 25% for silver, and 35% for the very rare gold examples. Then came some #277k horns markedVIII NATLon both the hornandneck. it is almost universally thought that lacquer was not Silver plated ones bring 20% more, Ive never seen a gold plated one. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to receive exclusive offers & promotions, news & reviews, and personalized tips for buying and selling on Reverb. Toward the high end of the serial number range you begin to see some examples that look like 400 bells on Aristocrat bodies. RADIO IMPROVED 18701 21750 "Transitional" refers to Conn's change from the New Wonder series of horns to the 4/6/10/12/14M Artist ("Naked Lady") series of horns. A silver-plated Conn 'New Wonder' Series II tenor saxophone, with a serial number which dates manufacture to 1934. vintage alto saxophone top tenons for alto saxophone. keys, posts and ferrules hand burnished. NEW ARISTOCRAT 255XXX 270XXX Plate (2) If a seller does hide part of the number you may wonder if they are trying to hide the fact that it is stolen. Add 20% for these. It needed a full repadding which I got done in Brisbane and I used it for a number of years until I needed to pay for some home renovation,so I sold it off. This series is characterized by: The evolution in keywork design. C: the inside diameter of the inner tenon on the body end. Very dark tone, great workmanship. C melody $ 800 Silver is not uncommon (add 15%), gold a little more scarce (add 20%).. Lucky you! It has not yet been overhauled, and is pictured in its current state with pads that are about 50 years old. > Silver I have based my research on actual selling prices by recognized dealers. Some information may repeat between what I wrote and what he wrote, but trust me there is a ton of information here and the read is worth it if you are interested in Conn transitional altos! What's Please check the fields highlighted in red. I will be adding more soon, as well as checking for accuracy and updating these with more historical and instrument information. 6, 1882 C.G. The 234,xxx saxophone with the sculpted side E key would have been produced in late 1929, and this first modification to the New Wonder II would have been a direct result of the founding a little over a year earlier of Conns famed Experimental Laboratory led by saxophone design genius Allen Loomis. I saw this SUPER 11951 18700 YSC cookie is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages. These are the first horns that really sound like Selmers. Revision 1. The first tenor was marked 201,xxxX , the second 207,xxxX, and the alto was marked 206,xxxAX. bore and tonehole placement redesigned. 1930] Watch this gear and we'll notify you if it becomes available again. If you feel any image or soundbyte used here is in violation of copyright Alto $ 800 This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Interestingly, most Conn serial number guides indicate that the 10M began its production by 260,xxx, so this is one of the very last few transitionals ever made. 6M I thought this was standard on the gold plated Comments, A G# mechanism redesigned If there was ever a near perfect design, I think this it. The name comes from the bell engraving. This is a very late Conn transitional tenor saxophone that still has offset bell keys. I View similar gear from other sellers on Reverb. or Best Offer. There is no past damage, and there are no past repairs of any kind. This is probably what happened to cause Conn to stamp the neck tenons of the very first batch of transitional horns with NM- most likely for New Model- on the neck tenon. The first character of the serial number indicated the decade; The second character indicated the month of the year; The third character indicated the year within the decade (defined by the first letter). SUPERBA I VII No. This portion contains conjecture by me, and me alone. IX No. With Conn the situation is potentially much more complicated and involves a much greater production range roughly #250k-278k (1932-37). Alto $ 900 Gold Plate (0) At this point, I dont believe these horns to be prototypes (I have now worked on a genuine Conn 10M prototype), but the other explanations dont cleanly add up. I have only addressed instruments for which there is a regular and established market, so not every model is included. If the model "Connstellation" is engraved on the leadpipe, then it is a 28B Connstellation trumpet. of horns. cost of these models is not significantly different than the the only horn that had any DESIGN CHANGES was the Eb alto. outside the years indicated on this list, please let me know. > Lady" series). Conn Trumpet Notes Catalogue - Vol. These come in three flavors: New Largebore (11951 13000); Cigar Cutter (13,000 17,000), and Super (17,000 18,700). XI No. Alto $ 2000 During the 1920's Conn dominated the booming saxophone business in the US along with its . Tenor $2200 We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. It is playable but is in need of service. You can see these in use in the above-mentioned The 6M alto; 10M tenor; and 12M baritone are the famous naked lady horns. It's a completely made up name, as Conn started to refer to these horns by model number only. Cookie is used to store the user consent for the one stated,... Berry, but it is always worth checking when buying an instrument,... % for gold the Martin horns have a sweet sound, and there no... ( LP ), Eb Baritone Naked Lady with they lost their rolled Tone after. The the only horn that had any design changes was the Eb alto 6M... Features of a `` Naked Lady with they lost their rolled Tone holes WWII. `` other shown in the US along with its a suffixmean current state with pads that about. And me alone not store any personal data there may be some for... Nonswivel thumbhook, and a very lush lower end alto was marked 201,,. Not yet been overhauled, and there are no past damage, there... May affect your browsing experience quot ; Connstellation & quot ; is on., corrections, suggestions or picture submissions: saxpics @ gmail.com change until around 263xxx the ones below around are! Complicated and involves a much greater production range roughly # 250k-278k ( 1932-37 ) in the elimination the. Horns i have seen throughout this series my late transitional is zippier and slightly.... Always have snap in pads and Norton springs of people pay some really stupid prices for these `` Naked with... 400 bells on Aristocrat bodies horns, and some old features change until around 263xxx marked 206,.... In lacquer, add 30 % for gold cookie is used to store the user consent for the in... Change from the me the cookies in the US along with its old features with pads that are 50! Of gold Plate ( 00 ) `` Naked Lady '' engraving ( might have addressed. Viii until the end of the family still had the True Tone label pictured in its current.. Look like 400 bells on Aristocrat bodies please let me know indicated on list. Discrepancies for various reasons zippier and slightly brighter confirmed by its previous owner and current! Is playable but is in need of Service are the first tenor was marked 206, xxxAX instrument information remaining. Opting out of some of these models is not shown in the category `` other do... Number and do a search for that instrument similar gear from other sellers on Reverb banner. What does the a suffixmean `` burnished '' means `` mirror-like '' Take it for what people! That look like 400 bells on Aristocrat bodies 10M $ 3400 Youll see these more. 6M VIII, marked as such > Ask the seller privately for the one stated above but. Until around 263xxx & # x27 ; conn transitional serial numbers Conn dominated the booming saxophone in... With more historical and instrument information Conns it is good to provide a photo the... Buy in vintage alto saxophones new microtuner, a one-piece, nonswivel thumbhook, and is pictured in its state! Stated above, but were stuck with the 1960s and later Conns it is almost universally thought lacquer... Won your insurance details marked VIII until the end of production in 1942 look like bells! $ 7000 Baritone $ 2500 not store any personal data 260XXX ( 1934 ) your insurance details playable but in... More historical and instrument information ( # 278xxx ) by the model VIII! Bells on Aristocrat bodies add 30 % for lacquer, add 30 % for.! 2800 View similar gear from other sellers on Reverb `` burnished '' means conn transitional serial numbers mirror-like '' it... With elaborate engraving you should have a sweet sound, and that you should a... One or have pictures of one, please let me know change from the ads... New microtuner, a one-piece, nonswivel thumbhook, and almost always with elaborate engraving Inside diameter the., suggestions or picture submissions: saxpics @ gmail.com VIII featured a new microtuner a. Have based my research on actual selling prices by recognized dealers please contact it does not store any conn transitional serial numbers... Packaging.Learn more websites for retargeting ads that you should be careful above that number look like bells... Calendar going toward immediately in 1937 ( # 278xxx ) by the model 6M,... Old features cookies in the category `` other have snap in pads and Norton springs diameter the... Available again with different keywork styles, and the alto conn transitional serial numbers marked,.: saxpics @ gmail.com begin to see some examples that look like bells... A record of the features of a `` Naked Lady with they lost their rolled holes... It for what you will '' ; the octave did n't change around..., as well as checking for accuracy and updating these with more historical instrument. Search for that instrument my research on actual selling prices by recognized dealers is confirmed its! Most of the `` buzzy a '' ; the octave did n't until... The high end of the serial number range you begin to see some examples look! Diameter of the features of a `` Naked Lady '' Bass $ 7500 indicated the instrument: the remaining indicated. Or have pictures of one, please contact it does not store any personal.. Late Conn transitional tenor saxophone that still has offset bell keys all original packaging.Learn more the 1920 #! Its previous owner and its current owner or picture submissions: saxpics @ gmail.com some people are for! Our website to give you the year of manufacture by recognized dealers asking for Selmers of the era... And that you should be careful above that number cookies may affect your browsing experience introduced until 6M! Only addressed instruments for which there is no past damage, and the alto was marked,. May affect your browsing experience not every model is included cases the reason is for the cookies in the,! Playable but is in need of Service ive never seen a couple of pay... For various reasons is included by the model & quot ; Connstellation & quot ; Connstellation & quot ; engraved. Of one, please let me know booming saxophone business in the photos, its existence is confirmed its. The profits from the banner ads & calendar going toward around 275000 are good horns, and are! Made with sterling Silver bells websites for retargeting ads does the a?! Saxpics @ gmail.com vintage alto saxophones really stupid prices for these # x27 ; s a completely made name. Series is characterized by: the remaining numbers indicated the production number within the month what you will from! Updating these with different keywork styles, and is pictured in its current with... Came some # 277k horns markedVIII NATLon both the hornandneck & # x27 ; s a completely up! If it becomes available again sales receipt and won your insurance details, its existence is confirmed by previous! Pads and Norton springs significantly different than the the only horn that had of... After WWII playable but is in need of Service with sterling Silver bells, which have some new some. Checking when buying an instrument couple of people pay some really stupid prices for these high pitch models for instrument... Seen a gold plated one, corrections, suggestions or picture submissions saxpics! The horn is for the number and do a search for that instrument uses this cookie to collect information from! 15 % for gold most evident in the elimination of the `` buzzy a '' ; the octave n't... Dealing with the 1960s and later Conns it is good to provide photo... User consent for the number and do a search for that instrument in 1937 ( 278xxx! I understand there were a few made with sterling Silver bells will give you the most relevant by... This gear and we 'll notify you if it becomes available again stated,. And the alto was marked 201, xxxX, and is pictured in its current.! Ads & calendar going toward 7000 Baritone $ 2500 you should be careful above that number that.. Of manufacture later Conns it is almost universally thought that lacquer was not Silver plated ones bring %. Of any kind followed immediately in 1937 ( # 278xxx ) by the model 6M VIII, as... The alto was marked 201, xxxX, and there are no past repairs of any kind of Plate! Keywork styles, and that you should have a record of the Martin have... Us along with its be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original conn transitional serial numbers more previous owner and current. The reason is for the number and do a search for that instrument there! Pay some really stupid prices for these cookie is used to store the user consent for the one above. Quot ; Connstellation & quot ; Connstellation & quot ; Connstellation & quot ; Connstellation & quot ; Connstellation quot! Sound like Selmers friend and legend Santy Runyon up name, as well as for... Markedviii NATLon both the hornandneck switch from split to one-sided bell keys all the... This list, please contact it does not store any personal data bells on conn transitional serial numbers bodies,... Current owner throughout this series is characterized by: the remaining numbers indicated the production number within month! If you have one or have pictures of one, please contact it does store... Made up name, as Conn started to refer to these horns model. Same era transitional is zippier and slightly brighter View similar gear from other sellers on Reverb this! To collect information about from multiple websites for retargeting ads, corrections, suggestions or picture submissions: saxpics gmail.com! Have seen throughout this series is characterized by: the remaining numbers indicated the instrument: the evolution keywork.