CONN TENORJust been given

[uggy]

Just been given what looks like an old Conn tenor, patented DEC 8 1914, silver plated with a serial number 68624. There is also another number 1119954. The condition is a bit tatty and I can't get a note out of it. What do you think it's worth, and is it worth renovating?

[morgan]

Not really worth renovating if your plan is to sell at a profit.

Very much worth renovating if your plan is to play a horn with a big rich voice.

[uggy]

Just been given what looks like an old Conn tenor, patented DEC 8 1914, silver plated with a serial number 68624. There is also another number 1119954. The condition is a bit tatty and I can't get a note out of it. What do you think it's worth, and is it worth renovating? 8)

[Stacey]

Uggy,

1119954 is the patent number that goes along with the 12/8/14 patent date.

The serial number 68624 tells you that it was probably made in early 1921 (according to the serial number charts I've seen).

Above the serial number should be a "T", telling you it's a tenor. Since I don't know when Conn stopped making curved-neck C-melodies (which look a lot like tenors) and switched to straight-neck C-melodies, it might be worth a look - if you see a "C", rather than a "T", you do not have a conventional tenor sax. You have a C-melody sax, which I love, but which isn't in demand by very many people.

Below the serial number should be either an "L" or an "H". If it's an H, you won't be able to find any knowledgeable sax player to buy it, unless they want it as a "collection piece", because it's a "high pitch" instrument, and not compatible with modern horns and their tuning systems.

If it's an "L", you at least have a marketable horn.

If it's an "L", and you sell it on eBay, you will probably get "a few hundred bucks" out of it, depending on its condition. If you spend $500-$900 having it completely overhauled, you will likely be able to sell it for maybe $1000. If it were 10 years newer, you'd be much better off!

Watch eBay, look for similar horns, and see what they sell for.

Best of luck to you, whatever you decide - I bought a 1919 Conn C-melody from eBay earlier this year (I probably overpaid - $350), and am having endless fun debugging it (I wanted to learn a little about horn restoration, so I'm doing it myself, with the occasional expert advice from some of the experienced people on this forum).

[uggy]

Stacey, thanks for your reply, it would seem, from your info, that I do in fact have a c-melody sax rather than a tenor as I first thought. It does have an "L" stamped under the serial #. Idon't plan to sell it, but will see how much it will cost to renovate and if it's viable, then do it up and play it. Thanks again, Uggy