Sax on the Web Forum

Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Baritone Saxophone / Conn 12M

danm
User ID: 9885643 Jan 11th 11:06 AM
I am a tenor player for more that 20 years and I just started in a Community Band. They needed a bari player. I have everything else but no bari. They have a band owned horn so I started playing it. They told me it was an old Bundy horn. So I play and this thing roars the conductor keeps shushing me during practice but this thing wants to play. I take it home and I can't believe the sound. While I am cleaning it after playing I took a good look at this horn and it turns out to be na old re-laq Conn 12M not a bundy. Do all of these 12M's play like this. This thing is quite the horn but sure does not look like it. It looks like a student instrument but plays like a pro. Any comments about the 12M?

Bootman
User ID: 7601343 Jan 11th 4:15 PM
You have discovered the power of the 12M, they fill the low end of any band better than any other model of Baritone. The retain the rich powerful low end, even when really pushed. Congratulations on finding an old 12M. What is the serial number?

danm
User ID: 1049474 Jan 11th 7:23 PM
Bootman it is a 1965 model, I think. It is E45XXX
and it will roar. I have not played a bari in 20 years and I sounded like a pro playing this thing, what a kick indeed. How many years did they make this horn and how does it compare to the Chu baritone? It has the wire guards in the bell keys not the stamped guards. This thing is a gas to play for sure.

Bootman
User ID: 7601343 Jan 11th 10:55 PM
The earlier models sound even bigger and fatter than the later models. They made 12M's for many years.

Screech
User ID: 9781133 Jan 12th 9:24 AM
Somewhere along the line (early 1990s?) Conn made same changes - stamped key guards, elimination of forked Eb, added some adjustment screws, etc. and changed the model number to 14M. The low A 11M model BTW became the 13M. Production ended on those in early 2001. I recently bought a 14M manufactured in 2000. Nice horn, maybe not the best version but OK anyhow. I don't know when 12M started - I suspect the original design may actually predate the 12M model code (early 1920s?) and even the Wonder series.

One of these days I'll do a side by side vs. a Chu and post results.

BTW I notice that while counting out rests on a tune that the sax often vibrates with the music. Feels like its trying to subtone on its own sometimes. Its resonant as heck. I too am new to bari after a 20 year break.

Toby
User ID: 9572103 Jan 12th 5:36 PM
Speaking of subtoning 12M's, mine does something goofy when I try to subtone below G. The RH side C key thunders open like there's an earthquake in the horn, LOL.

I think I'll tighten the spring.

I'm intrigued at the idea of the 12m design being older than I might have thought. That's fascinating, Screech. I'd like to know more. I think Adolphe's first was a bari, size-wise. Maybe there's a little more of his energy there.

Welcome to the 12M club, danm.

danm
User ID: 0206274 Jan 12th 7:54 PM
thanks. I play soprano,alto, tenor, and flute and what sound does my wife like me playing best? The bari of all things. The family seems to like the deep rough sound of this bari better than anything else that I play. This thing is real fun and becoming a favorite of mine also. Everything vibrates on this horn when the band is playing its cool. I still would like some more history on the 12M too.

danm User ID: 9885643	Jan 11th 11:06 AM I am a tenor player for more that 20 years and I just started in a Community Band. They needed a bari player. I have everything else but no bari. They have a band owned horn so I started playing it. They told me it was an old Bundy horn. So I play and this thing roars the conductor keeps shushing me during practice but this thing wants to play. I take it home and I can't believe the sound. While I am cleaning it after playing I took a good look at this horn and it turns out to be na old re-laq Conn 12M not a bundy. Do all of these 12M's play like this. This thing is quite the horn but sure does not look like it. It looks like a student instrument but plays like a pro. Any comments about the 12M?
Bootman User ID: 7601343	Jan 11th 4:15 PM You have discovered the power of the 12M, they fill the low end of any band better than any other model of Baritone. The retain the rich powerful low end, even when really pushed. Congratulations on finding an old 12M. What is the serial number?
danm User ID: 1049474	Jan 11th 7:23 PM Bootman it is a 1965 model, I think. It is E45XXX and it will roar. I have not played a bari in 20 years and I sounded like a pro playing this thing, what a kick indeed. How many years did they make this horn and how does it compare to the Chu baritone? It has the wire guards in the bell keys not the stamped guards. This thing is a gas to play for sure.
Bootman User ID: 7601343	Jan 11th 10:55 PM The earlier models sound even bigger and fatter than the later models. They made 12M's for many years.
Screech User ID: 9781133	Jan 12th 9:24 AM Somewhere along the line (early 1990s?) Conn made same changes - stamped key guards, elimination of forked Eb, added some adjustment screws, etc. and changed the model number to 14M. The low A 11M model BTW became the 13M. Production ended on those in early 2001. I recently bought a 14M manufactured in 2000. Nice horn, maybe not the best version but OK anyhow. I don't know when 12M started - I suspect the original design may actually predate the 12M model code (early 1920s?) and even the Wonder series. One of these days I'll do a side by side vs. a Chu and post results. BTW I notice that while counting out rests on a tune that the sax often vibrates with the music. Feels like its trying to subtone on its own sometimes. Its resonant as heck. I too am new to bari after a 20 year break.
Toby User ID: 9572103	Jan 12th 5:36 PM Speaking of subtoning 12M's, mine does something goofy when I try to subtone below G. The RH side C key thunders open like there's an earthquake in the horn, LOL. I think I'll tighten the spring. I'm intrigued at the idea of the 12m design being older than I might have thought. That's fascinating, Screech. I'd like to know more. I think Adolphe's first was a bari, size-wise. Maybe there's a little more of his energy there. Welcome to the 12M club, danm.
danm User ID: 0206274	Jan 12th 7:54 PM thanks. I play soprano,alto, tenor, and flute and what sound does my wife like me playing best? The bari of all things. The family seems to like the deep rough sound of this bari better than anything else that I play. This thing is real fun and becoming a favorite of mine also. Everything vibrates on this horn when the band is playing its cool. I still would like some more history on the 12M too.