Conn 12M Bari

[Perfect Pitch]

Hi - :D - just bought this mutha on ebay . My first baritone sax :shock:
Did i done good?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2565136505

Any hints as to mouthpiece/setup I should know? Thanks in advance 8)

[dingfelder]

looks like it can be cleaned up...

Get someone to disassemble it, remove the dents & repad

If you have any thoughts about delacquering/plating etc, this is the time to do it while the keys are off it.

Then have them reassemble/adjust, and you will have a decent axe :)

I say go for a Runyon Piece.

[Saxa]

I second the motion on the Runyon mouthpiece. I just got one from Mojobari. But before you do that.....I just got my horn out of the shop and it was a mere $30.00 repair. The lowest ever. So be prepared to spend some bucks on getting the listed items fixed. Or go the full route and have a total rebuild IF needed. I've had the 12M's before and there a great horn. Enjoy.

[Perfect Pitch]

It would appear that this horn is not really a 12M? Is this really a student horn compared to earlier Conns?

[OnyxSax]

Later Conns still share the same taper and bore as the earlier 12M, but the metallurgy is different. Are they as good as the 20s & 30s era Conn Baris? No, but they do sound pretty decent. I had the fortune to play a recent 14M, which is the new designation for the old 12M and it was surprisingly strong. My own Chu still came off sounding better, but I certainly would not be disappointed if I had to play a more recent Conn.

[Perfect Pitch]

It does look as tho she may need some beating - fortunately my tech is a magician.

:borg:

Because it will need stripping, I will probably refinish her and I'm thinking maybe a silver plate finish, whaddyareckon?

[dingfelder]

if it is an option, the matte silver finish look is really pretty imho...

[Anji]

Why not get it into playing shape, first?

No sense in gilding a Lily.

[David Spiegelthal]

Tonto say: "anji speak truth!" Don't worry about the appearance, get it playing right. Half the baris out there are beat to hell, the audience doesn't care how it looks --- HOW DO YOU SOUND? My 12M bari looks pretty lousy but plays like a dream, night after night --- it's great and I'm not about to spend my hard-earned gig money getting the dents pulled or the lacquer redone (besides, if I did I'd always be worried about getting it scratched, kinda like parking your new wheels in the shopping center lot, right?).

[Perfect Pitch]

Of course one must agree the sound is more important than the finish. However I feel the instrument is an extension of one's personal appearance, and although I am no glamour puss, me mum likes me to look good.

[dingfelder]

also, on the other hand, IF you are considering replating or delacquering a horn, doing it while the keys are off getting repadded is the sensible time to do it.

If you get it broken down and de-dented, then repadded, then adjusted, and THEN decide that you like the horn, you will then need to re-break it down, send if off to get plated, then resaaemble it and readjust it.

So, the question is:

1. what is the cost of plating the horn
2. what is the cost of breaking it down for a second time + resaaembly and readjustment.

If # 2 is more expensive, than take the risk and get it plated while it it torn down. My assumption is that the resale value would be helped by this work so you could sell it if you were not happy.
If # 2 is cheaper, then logically you would wait and see how the axe performs.

Can anyone speak about how good a 12M generally plays? (btw, did you determine if in fact that is what it is?) This might help your decision depending on the projected quality.

[Perfect Pitch]

(btw, did you determine if in fact that is what it is?)

No. I am hoping it is presently above the clouds and shall let you know what shape she is in. Thanks for your interest :)

[DD3]

Just my two cents worth- I am not sure this is even a 12M depends on whether it says 12M. My N serial number which is a very nice Bari does not have 12M imprinted and I don't consider it a 12M- I am looking for a true 12M.
I personally would not even consider replating this sax- I agree with Anjii and others. If appearance is important it would probably be better to resell and get one with better to begin with. Good luck.

[Perfect Pitch]

Well she arrived today and was better than I had feared :? - although some demon had attacked it with a ball pein hammer and the tenon socket was torn as well as having the shorn off bolt described in the ad, it is certainly reparable and does have the 12M imprinted. Nothing a couple of hundred bucks can't fix.
As this is my first purchase off ebay I am at least relieved 8) - thanks for your interest