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| Author | Topic: New (Old) Horn |
| VegasGeorge |
posted 6/25/08 2:32 PM
I just bought a C.G. Conn Alto off eBay. I checked the serial #, and I appears to have been made in 1919. I've always wanted one of the old Conns, and this one looked pretty clean in the photos. I'm excited to get it, and I'll post more when it arrives! |
| RichM |
posted 6/26/08 9:18 PM
Great job, VegasGeorge. I was bidding on it too, but obviously lost. Oh well. I did pick up a nice King Eb Alto a few days later! |
| vegasgeorge |
posted 6/28/08 5:34 AM
Thanks, RichM. I'm glad you got your King! I'm having a bit of trouble getting my Conn. Somehow, DHL sent it to someone else in PA. Of course, I'm in Las Vegas. What a screw up! They claim to have gotten the correct address on the package now, so we'll see. |
| VegasGeorge |
posted 6/30/08 8:30 PM
The old Conn arrived! Incidentally, I think the serial number indicates it was made in 1918. It is in fabulous condition. It plays well. It has a larger bell than my Triumphonic, a bigger throat, and darker sound. I like it. The valves are in good condition, good compression, good guides, etc. The pearl keys don't even show any wear. If the horn has been worked on, it was quality work. Everything looks original. Now, I'm going to go give it a bath! :) |
| vegasgeorge |
posted 7/5/08 1:45 PM
I've had more time with the Conn now. It's a bit more loosy goosey than the Triumphonic. The tone is less centered, and, for example, the pitch is easier to bend. The lower notes speak more easily, and seem to be more naturally in tune. The higher notes seem thinner, but I think that's just the darker tone. When you get up toward the highest partials, a brighter tone is a plus. The Triumphonic seems more accurate but less accommodating. The tone difference between them is a lot like the tone difference between a cornet and a flugelhorn. Maybe not that extreme, but you get the idea. |
| RichM |
posted 7/15/08 6:30 PM
VegasGeorge, glad you horn works so well. I'm very pleased with the sound of the King Eb Alto I won. I play it with a horn mouthpiece, as I did in college marching band. This King doesn't have anywhere near the intonation problems the one I played in college did. I manage to get a very sweet sound out of that old horn! I bought it to play at Tuba Christmas. Hopefully one will come to my area. Now both my sons want one! |
| vegasgeorge |
posted 7/30/08 1:18 AM
I just finished a week of jazz improv band camp at my local college. I played the old Conn Alto Horn. I took part in the Trombone master class, transposing the music, and played an Eb part in the combo. Boy, there was a lot of jazz in that old horn! But, I guess if you've been playing American music since 1918, that's to be expected. The horn performed flawlessly. If only I could claim the same! |
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