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Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Conn Saxophones / Chu vs 10M vs 30M

shazzo
User ID: 0087674 Sep 28th 10:33 PM
i'm interested what the whole world thinks of these horns. i own a chu btw. anyone up for comparisons?? :) all in good fun...

George Briscoe
User ID: 8151383 Oct 7th 7:03 PM
The 30M is quite rare in comparison to the 10M, but is worth the extra $$$ if you find a good one. The tone and "flexibility" of both is excellent. The keywork on the 30M is in "the right place" compared to the 10M and makes it easy to double between Conns and Selmers. If you are comfortable with the 10M's key layout, go for it. Otherwise, be patient and wait for the right 30M to come along. I know that I love mine!

OnyxSax
User ID: 9683713 Oct 10th 8:41 PM
The 30M is generally considered the "holy grail" of Conns, not unlike the same way the SBAs are regarded by Selmer afficionados.

I've never played a 30M, so I can compare. I do have a 10M and a Chu. You can tell the horns are definitely related to each other. The 10M's main advantage over the Chu is its power. The 10M also is a bit more ergonomic than the Chu. The Chu, on the other hand tends to be less fussy with what mouthpiece you plop on it, and will give you a more complex tone.

However, I would take a good 10M over a bad Chu, and vice versa. When you're dealing with vintage Conns, condition is really more important than model type. If I had to choose between a pristine 10M and a pristine Chu, I'd take the Chu.

BATMAN
User ID: 9941493 Oct 19th 9:22 PM
The Chu tenor definately has a more complex tone, but I much prefer a 10M or 30M. The spatula action on the 10M feels a bit stiff to me, but it is still more ergonomic than a Chu. The biggest problem I can see is anything involving a lot of back and forth low Bb and Db....

The 10M is one powerful horn, and has perhaps the biggest sound of any tenor. Any sort of baffle, unless the chamber is big enough, will pull the tuning sharp. Not necessarilly in the mid to low range, but most obvious in the palm keys and above. In general though, these horns play well in tune...assuming it's in good condition.

The 30M is truly the holy grail of Conn tenors. I happen to own one and the sound is nothing short of amazing. It's also one of the most responsive horns I've ever played....and I have access to some truly exceptional horns around here....

The ergonomics are vintage perfection...aside from a modern layout like on a King or Selmer, nothing beats this. In fact, I much prefer the 30M touch pieces (palm/side keys) since they are LARGE. No need for risers...they are perfect in your hands.

They are all great horns. An interesting alternative to a Selmer. If you want power, get a Conn :)

George Briscoe
User ID: 9161143 Oct 21st 2:11 AM
Hear, hear, Batman! (Said Like Commisioner Gordon) The 30M really has become my favorite tenor, even above my Gold 1961 Mk.VI. (Which is a great horn in its own right.) My Charles Bay metal mouthpiece has good tuning and a take-no-prisoners Texas Tenor tone on the 30M and a screamin' altissimo (which it also does on the Selmer) but with a more complex and vintage tone on the Conn. A 10M should get a similar tone, but not with the same wonderful keywork. Good Luck!

Quickly, now! To the Bat Cave!!!!!! (Nelson Riddle incidental music in the back ground.)

George :^)>

Sudak
User ID: 9182423 Oct 22nd 11:45 PM
i think overall it is a question of flexibility, with the chu being the most flexible. it is definitely more free-blowing than the 10M, but subsequently harder to control.

shazzo User ID: 0087674	Sep 28th 10:33 PM i'm interested what the whole world thinks of these horns. i own a chu btw. anyone up for comparisons?? :) all in good fun...
George Briscoe User ID: 8151383	Oct 7th 7:03 PM The 30M is quite rare in comparison to the 10M, but is worth the extra $$$ if you find a good one. The tone and "flexibility" of both is excellent. The keywork on the 30M is in "the right place" compared to the 10M and makes it easy to double between Conns and Selmers. If you are comfortable with the 10M's key layout, go for it. Otherwise, be patient and wait for the right 30M to come along. I know that I love mine!
OnyxSax User ID: 9683713	Oct 10th 8:41 PM The 30M is generally considered the "holy grail" of Conns, not unlike the same way the SBAs are regarded by Selmer afficionados. I've never played a 30M, so I can compare. I do have a 10M and a Chu. You can tell the horns are definitely related to each other. The 10M's main advantage over the Chu is its power. The 10M also is a bit more ergonomic than the Chu. The Chu, on the other hand tends to be less fussy with what mouthpiece you plop on it, and will give you a more complex tone. However, I would take a good 10M over a bad Chu, and vice versa. When you're dealing with vintage Conns, condition is really more important than model type. If I had to choose between a pristine 10M and a pristine Chu, I'd take the Chu.
BATMAN User ID: 9941493	Oct 19th 9:22 PM The Chu tenor definately has a more complex tone, but I much prefer a 10M or 30M. The spatula action on the 10M feels a bit stiff to me, but it is still more ergonomic than a Chu. The biggest problem I can see is anything involving a lot of back and forth low Bb and Db.... The 10M is one powerful horn, and has perhaps the biggest sound of any tenor. Any sort of baffle, unless the chamber is big enough, will pull the tuning sharp. Not necessarilly in the mid to low range, but most obvious in the palm keys and above. In general though, these horns play well in tune...assuming it's in good condition. The 30M is truly the holy grail of Conn tenors. I happen to own one and the sound is nothing short of amazing. It's also one of the most responsive horns I've ever played....and I have access to some truly exceptional horns around here.... The ergonomics are vintage perfection...aside from a modern layout like on a King or Selmer, nothing beats this. In fact, I much prefer the 30M touch pieces (palm/side keys) since they are LARGE. No need for risers...they are perfect in your hands. They are all great horns. An interesting alternative to a Selmer. If you want power, get a Conn :)
George Briscoe User ID: 9161143	Oct 21st 2:11 AM Hear, hear, Batman! (Said Like Commisioner Gordon) The 30M really has become my favorite tenor, even above my Gold 1961 Mk.VI. (Which is a great horn in its own right.) My Charles Bay metal mouthpiece has good tuning and a take-no-prisoners Texas Tenor tone on the 30M and a screamin' altissimo (which it also does on the Selmer) but with a more complex and vintage tone on the Conn. A 10M should get a similar tone, but not with the same wonderful keywork. Good Luck! Quickly, now! To the Bat Cave!!!!!! (Nelson Riddle incidental music in the back ground.) George :^)>
Sudak User ID: 9182423	Oct 22nd 11:45 PM i think overall it is a question of flexibility, with the chu being the most flexible. it is definitely more free-blowing than the 10M, but subsequently harder to control.