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Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Baritone Saxophone / What are the differences between...

Carter
User ID: 1237224 Aug 6th 2:53 PM
A Conn "transitional" 12M from @1930 or so, like the one played by Gerry Mulligan, and:

1. an "early" 12M, say 1935; and

2. a 12M from the early 40's; and

3. a 12M from @1952, non-rolled tone holes, but still early enough to be professional quality.

Each of the final three horns are for sale somewhere on the internet. I love the "early" 12M (at Saxquest), as it would seem to be closest to the Mulligan horn. It seems a bit pricey at $3,600. How close are these to the transitional? Assume silver plate, of course!

Bootman
User ID: 1676554 Aug 6th 3:37 PM
Don't forget the late Chu split bell model Bari too.

All models play well, play test each and pick the one that works best for you. I prefer the early 30's transitional or late Chu Baritones myself as they seem to have a slightly more robust quality to the sound overall.

The 50's models are good but not as complex a sound as the earlier models. Silver plate for preference would be my pick. The early 40's horn could be good too. It really is a matter of play them all and see.

Anji
User ID: 8262993 Aug 6th 3:42 PM
For that kind of money, I'll sell you my Dolnet Low A, wash your car AND walk your dog for a week!

Howzaboudat 40's horn? Price point?

Didja contact Dave over at JunkDude, yet?

MPL
User ID: 0032624 Aug 6th 6:21 PM
Carter, please Email me at matsnmel@gte.net about that early 12M...I know a little about it.

OnyxSax
User ID: 9683713 Aug 6th 9:18 PM
I've seen fully restored Chus going for $3400, and some originals even cheaper. If you're going to plunk down that kind of cash, get yourself a Chu in the 180 - 220k serial number range.

Carter
User ID: 1237224 Aug 8th 9:14 AM
Thanks all for the advice. "Pricey at $3,600" meant that I would not (could not)lay out that kind of bread for the early 12M and wondered how close the other two would be to the transitional. The early 12M seems almost identical, the other two not so much. The 1952 horn lists at $2950, but that is at Wichita Band, where list price always starts way high (and sometimes stays there!). No price yet on Junkdude's 40's horn. He's got a 180xxx Chu for $1950, though.

The search continues....

paulwl
User ID: 9272753 Aug 8th 9:55 AM
Biggest diff among all 4 would be the lack of rolled holes on the 50s model, and the fact that it would have a front high F key (added post WW2).

Strop me if you've heard this, but a few years ago I had a big band and all 3 of us sax players brought 240-series tranny baris to double on. No Conn-spiracy, it just happened that way.

Carter User ID: 1237224	Aug 6th 2:53 PM A Conn "transitional" 12M from @1930 or so, like the one played by Gerry Mulligan, and: 1. an "early" 12M, say 1935; and 2. a 12M from the early 40's; and 3. a 12M from @1952, non-rolled tone holes, but still early enough to be professional quality. Each of the final three horns are for sale somewhere on the internet. I love the "early" 12M (at Saxquest), as it would seem to be closest to the Mulligan horn. It seems a bit pricey at $3,600. How close are these to the transitional? Assume silver plate, of course!
Bootman User ID: 1676554	Aug 6th 3:37 PM Don't forget the late Chu split bell model Bari too. All models play well, play test each and pick the one that works best for you. I prefer the early 30's transitional or late Chu Baritones myself as they seem to have a slightly more robust quality to the sound overall. The 50's models are good but not as complex a sound as the earlier models. Silver plate for preference would be my pick. The early 40's horn could be good too. It really is a matter of play them all and see.
Anji User ID: 8262993	Aug 6th 3:42 PM For that kind of money, I'll sell you my Dolnet Low A, wash your car AND walk your dog for a week! Howzaboudat 40's horn? Price point? Didja contact Dave over at JunkDude, yet?
MPL User ID: 0032624	Aug 6th 6:21 PM Carter, please Email me at matsnmel@gte.net about that early 12M...I know a little about it.
OnyxSax User ID: 9683713	Aug 6th 9:18 PM I've seen fully restored Chus going for $3400, and some originals even cheaper. If you're going to plunk down that kind of cash, get yourself a Chu in the 180 - 220k serial number range.
Carter User ID: 1237224	Aug 8th 9:14 AM Thanks all for the advice. "Pricey at $3,600" meant that I would not (could not)lay out that kind of bread for the early 12M and wondered how close the other two would be to the transitional. The early 12M seems almost identical, the other two not so much. The 1952 horn lists at $2950, but that is at Wichita Band, where list price always starts way high (and sometimes stays there!). No price yet on Junkdude's 40's horn. He's got a 180xxx Chu for $1950, though. The search continues....
paulwl User ID: 9272753	Aug 8th 9:55 AM Biggest diff among all 4 would be the lack of rolled holes on the 50s model, and the fact that it would have a front high F key (added post WW2). Strop me if you've heard this, but a few years ago I had a big band and all 3 of us sax players brought 240-series tranny baris to double on. No Conn-spiracy, it just happened that way.