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Sax on the Web Forum / Conn Saxophones / 30M Players Comments

Next 20 Messages

Kenfen
User ID: 9600383 Dec 3rd 9:35 PM
Hey all, I'm fascinated by the 30M. Can I hear comments from you that are playing these? And how you feel they stack up to other horns in general.

Thanks so much!

BATMAN
User ID: 7628823 Dec 3rd 11:18 PM
It is indeed one of the greatest of horns ever made, at least IMHO. I had a great 83K MK VI and don't even regret giving it up for this horn! The sound is HUGE, and it is much darker and harmonically complex in tone. Mine is silver plated, so it has more of a ring in the sound.

The keywork is fast and light, and feels much closer to modern than a 10M. It is actually rather comfortable, and if the keywork were offset more instead of being more aligned, then it would be PERFECT, at least for me. The left pinky table is very comfortable, and I can play as fast as on a modern horn.

If you like Vintage Dexter Gordon, then this is for you. How does it stack up to other horns? Blows them all away in my biased opinion. There are a few things that modern horns offer in terms of keywork and ergonomics, but because of the great design, the 30M competes favorably with that aspect. The Palm keys and side keys, being made of solid silver, feel absolutely great under the hands, and they have a weight that makes them feel more solid than, say, a MK VI without risers.

If you find one that plays great, snatch it up! They are very uncommon and are an example of Conn's very best work.

Now...what about you 28M players out there!

paulwl
User ID: 8437443 Dec 4th 10:58 AM
This is good news to me, as I am expecting a #291k 30M off eBay in the next week or 2 -- test-played, coincidentally, by the illustrious Moderator Saxpics himself! And he dug it, even considering he doesn't usually get on well with Conns.

The 28M is a fun horn, but I don't care much for the tone. Conn wanted a horn that didn't sound Conn-like, and they got one! The action's kinda wild too -- light leverages here, heavy there -- and it's a b!+Šh to adjust.

George Briscoe
User ID: 9161143 Dec 5th 4:25 AM
Exactly what Batman said, except that I don't even notice the difference between the aligned vs. offset keys. INCREDIBLE blues horn! I get sounds out of it that I just can't get from my (otherwise wonderful) Mk.VI.

BATMAN
User ID: 1509104 Dec 5th 1:10 PM
And not just blues....

a MONSTER straight ahead jazz horn. Assuming you're into Dexter Gordon....

ferrari
User ID: 9007973 Dec 5th 8:40 PM
Tone wise, is there any difference between the 30M and 10M, all other variables considered e.g. laquer/silver, same year?

Because I'd love to own one, but I still need a soprano, and an amp,and a harmonizer blah, blah...lol.

paulwl
User ID: 8437443 Dec 6th 9:57 AM
>> a MONSTER straight ahead jazz horn. Assuming you're into Dexter Gordon....<<

How about Buddy Tate? He played a 30M till the end.

BATMAN
User ID: 3041424 Dec 6th 10:13 AM
did he? I didn't know.

tonewise, it plays like a more refined 10M, if mine is any indication. The silver on mine adds an extra ring to the sound, but it still feels much like a REALLY good 10M. Not to be missed :)

paulwl
User ID: 8437443 Dec 6th 10:22 AM
I can't wait!!

BATMAN
User ID: 3041424 Dec 6th 3:33 PM
neither can I!

I think you will like it, if you like vintage Conns. This is the ultimate vintage Conn tenor, assuming it is set-up properly (sounds like it is). You will be amazed at how slick the keywork is for a "vintage" mechanism...especially the Low Bb table...

But as a tip, I'd suggest getting the Automatic G# tab on the C# key extended. Sometimes it dislocates if you press too hard too quickly :) This is minor, but worth looking at.

saxpics
Moderator
User ID: 2665034 Dec 6th 4:40 PM
Yes, it sounds like the horn paulwl is getting is the 30M that I tried several months back at a shop out here in Phoenix.

Anyone else note the "irregular" action of the low C/Eb keys, compared to that of other horns? I think it's nice having action directly perpindicular to the horn, but it sure feels odd.

Maybe it's just me. Can't say I played a lot of 30M's ...

George Briscoe
User ID: 9161143 Dec 6th 5:00 PM
I just walked over to my 30M on its stand and fingered the low Eb & C. Yeah, it IS perpendicular, isn't it? I hadn't particularly noticed that before. It feels fine to me, anyway.

BATMAN
User ID: 3041424 Dec 6th 7:37 PM
I also noticed the strange Low C/Eb action. It feels odd at first but nothing that will ruin the experience :) I kinda like it actually.

paulwl
User ID: 8437443 Dec 6th 8:29 PM
Is it strange compared to the 10M? I'm all over that 10M keyboard.

BATMAN
User ID: 3041424 Dec 6th 10:17 PM
nope...much more ergonomic than the 10M. If you can deal with the 10M...you'll be playing twice as fast on the 30M! It's the next best thing to a modern Selmer or King layout as far as vintage horns go.

ferrari
User ID: 1599514 Dec 6th 10:25 PM
C'mon you guys your making me drool!

George Briscoe
User ID: 9161143 Dec 7th 4:25 AM
I agree with what Batman just said. I have never liked the key layout of the 10M (especially the spatula keys), but I like the key layout on my 30M almost as much as my Mk.VI and it has a very different tone. It's simply just NOT for sale!

Bill
User ID: 1626994 Dec 8th 8:55 AM
There are a number of postings regarding the 30M on Alt.Music.Saxophone news group. This forum can be found on www.google.com under groups. A factor mentioned a few times is the high weight of this sax. Maybe someone can weight a 30M so we can compare it to a 10M. Weight of the body metal can influence the sound of the instrument and probably is responsible for the differences in the sound compared to the 10M.

Mike C
User ID: 9663323 Dec 8th 9:06 AM
Bill,I tried 1 30M and that is the first thing I noticed was the heavier weight.I thought it played like my 10 M which is a nice one. Very similar tone.are these horns finicky to keep working well or what? That's the only con to the Conn 30M I've heard but if you have a good repair guy I guess it shouldn't matter.

BATMAN
User ID: 3041424 Dec 8th 9:07 AM
My 30M weighs a lot. It is heavier than a Martin Tenor. In fact, it is heavier than my friend's 10M. Definately worth using a saxophone harness (the "bro" for all you seinfeld fans) for this one :)

Next 20 Messages

Kenfen User ID: 9600383	Dec 3rd 9:35 PM Hey all, I'm fascinated by the 30M. Can I hear comments from you that are playing these? And how you feel they stack up to other horns in general. Thanks so much!
BATMAN User ID: 7628823	Dec 3rd 11:18 PM It is indeed one of the greatest of horns ever made, at least IMHO. I had a great 83K MK VI and don't even regret giving it up for this horn! The sound is HUGE, and it is much darker and harmonically complex in tone. Mine is silver plated, so it has more of a ring in the sound. The keywork is fast and light, and feels much closer to modern than a 10M. It is actually rather comfortable, and if the keywork were offset more instead of being more aligned, then it would be PERFECT, at least for me. The left pinky table is very comfortable, and I can play as fast as on a modern horn. If you like Vintage Dexter Gordon, then this is for you. How does it stack up to other horns? Blows them all away in my biased opinion. There are a few things that modern horns offer in terms of keywork and ergonomics, but because of the great design, the 30M competes favorably with that aspect. The Palm keys and side keys, being made of solid silver, feel absolutely great under the hands, and they have a weight that makes them feel more solid than, say, a MK VI without risers. If you find one that plays great, snatch it up! They are very uncommon and are an example of Conn's very best work. Now...what about you 28M players out there!
paulwl User ID: 8437443	Dec 4th 10:58 AM This is good news to me, as I am expecting a #291k 30M off eBay in the next week or 2 -- test-played, coincidentally, by the illustrious Moderator Saxpics himself! And he dug it, even considering he doesn't usually get on well with Conns. The 28M is a fun horn, but I don't care much for the tone. Conn wanted a horn that didn't sound Conn-like, and they got one! The action's kinda wild too -- light leverages here, heavy there -- and it's a b!+Šh to adjust.
George Briscoe User ID: 9161143	Dec 5th 4:25 AM Exactly what Batman said, except that I don't even notice the difference between the aligned vs. offset keys. INCREDIBLE blues horn! I get sounds out of it that I just can't get from my (otherwise wonderful) Mk.VI.
BATMAN User ID: 1509104	Dec 5th 1:10 PM And not just blues.... a MONSTER straight ahead jazz horn. Assuming you're into Dexter Gordon....
ferrari User ID: 9007973	Dec 5th 8:40 PM Tone wise, is there any difference between the 30M and 10M, all other variables considered e.g. laquer/silver, same year? Because I'd love to own one, but I still need a soprano, and an amp,and a harmonizer blah, blah...lol.
paulwl User ID: 8437443	Dec 6th 9:57 AM >> a MONSTER straight ahead jazz horn. Assuming you're into Dexter Gordon....<< How about Buddy Tate? He played a 30M till the end.
BATMAN User ID: 3041424	Dec 6th 10:13 AM did he? I didn't know. tonewise, it plays like a more refined 10M, if mine is any indication. The silver on mine adds an extra ring to the sound, but it still feels much like a REALLY good 10M. Not to be missed :)
paulwl User ID: 8437443	Dec 6th 10:22 AM I can't wait!!
BATMAN User ID: 3041424	Dec 6th 3:33 PM neither can I! I think you will like it, if you like vintage Conns. This is the ultimate vintage Conn tenor, assuming it is set-up properly (sounds like it is). You will be amazed at how slick the keywork is for a "vintage" mechanism...especially the Low Bb table... But as a tip, I'd suggest getting the Automatic G# tab on the C# key extended. Sometimes it dislocates if you press too hard too quickly :) This is minor, but worth looking at.
saxpics Moderator User ID: 2665034	Dec 6th 4:40 PM Yes, it sounds like the horn paulwl is getting is the 30M that I tried several months back at a shop out here in Phoenix. Anyone else note the "irregular" action of the low C/Eb keys, compared to that of other horns? I think it's nice having action directly perpindicular to the horn, but it sure feels odd. Maybe it's just me. Can't say I played a lot of 30M's ...
George Briscoe User ID: 9161143	Dec 6th 5:00 PM I just walked over to my 30M on its stand and fingered the low Eb & C. Yeah, it IS perpendicular, isn't it? I hadn't particularly noticed that before. It feels fine to me, anyway.
BATMAN User ID: 3041424	Dec 6th 7:37 PM I also noticed the strange Low C/Eb action. It feels odd at first but nothing that will ruin the experience :) I kinda like it actually.
paulwl User ID: 8437443	Dec 6th 8:29 PM Is it strange compared to the 10M? I'm all over that 10M keyboard.
BATMAN User ID: 3041424	Dec 6th 10:17 PM nope...much more ergonomic than the 10M. If you can deal with the 10M...you'll be playing twice as fast on the 30M! It's the next best thing to a modern Selmer or King layout as far as vintage horns go.
ferrari User ID: 1599514	Dec 6th 10:25 PM C'mon you guys your making me drool!
George Briscoe User ID: 9161143	Dec 7th 4:25 AM I agree with what Batman just said. I have never liked the key layout of the 10M (especially the spatula keys), but I like the key layout on my 30M almost as much as my Mk.VI and it has a very different tone. It's simply just NOT for sale!
Bill User ID: 1626994	Dec 8th 8:55 AM There are a number of postings regarding the 30M on Alt.Music.Saxophone news group. This forum can be found on www.google.com under groups. A factor mentioned a few times is the high weight of this sax. Maybe someone can weight a 30M so we can compare it to a 10M. Weight of the body metal can influence the sound of the instrument and probably is responsible for the differences in the sound compared to the 10M.
Mike C User ID: 9663323	Dec 8th 9:06 AM Bill,I tried 1 30M and that is the first thing I noticed was the heavier weight.I thought it played like my 10 M which is a nice one. Very similar tone.are these horns finicky to keep working well or what? That's the only con to the Conn 30M I've heard but if you have a good repair guy I guess it shouldn't matter.
BATMAN User ID: 3041424	Dec 8th 9:07 AM My 30M weighs a lot. It is heavier than a Martin Tenor. In fact, it is heavier than my friend's 10M. Definately worth using a saxophone harness (the "bro" for all you seinfeld fans) for this one :)