[jasonj]

Hi everyone - my first post here but I've done a lot of background reading and you guys know conns
Today I checked out a 6m at the music shop, serial M270006A.
Firstly, the A at the end of the serial# is unusual, can anyone explain this?
It seems the horn an early 6m, 1935-6, silverplate, lady-engraved. Odd thing is, the underslung neck doesn't have the microtuner - in fact there is some wear to the silver at the end of the neck before the cork starts (where the microtuner should have been) which looks as though it may have been removed. The shop don't know the history of the horn before it came into their possession so can't explain it.
The horn played well, my concern is: a) would the missing MT adversely affect the performance of the horn? (I mean, they're not just there for cosmetic reasons right?); and b) does this have a negative impact on the value of the horn?
Any and all comments will be greatly appreciated.

Jason.

 

[jasonj]

Well then... I guess nobody here knows anything about microtuner necks on 6ms. That's disappointing.

 

[Saxland]

Transitional Conn altos had the A after the serial #. A for alto. The body could have been made at the end or during the transitional run and lost in the factory then found later, so they put early serial # on it with an A to say its a transitional body. Unless their is a design differance from 6M's its a 6M.

The missing microtuner should not mean very much if the neck end was repaired with a proper bore. I have seen pictures, but never played one.

What are they asking for it? Does it say 6M on it near the serial number?

I have a 262XXX with an A after the serial number.

 

[abadcliche]

Well then... I guess nobody here knows anything about microtuner necks on 6ms. That's disappointing.

Try the search function.

 

[jasonj]

Transitional Conn altos had the A after the serial #. A for alto. The body could have been made at the end or during the transitional run and lost in the factory then found a later, so they put early serial # on it with an A to say its a transitional body. Unless their is a design differance from 6M's its a 6M.

The missing microtuner should not mean very much if the neck end was repaired with a proper bore. I have seen pictures, but never played one.

What are they asking for it? Does it say 6M on it near the serial number?

I have a 262XXX with an A after the serial number.

Hi Saxland, thanks for your help. I didn't realise the A at the end of the serial# was typical of transitionals. With a 270xxx this should be a 6M, but actually it doesn't say 6M, just has the usual 1914 patent followed by the serial M270009A, and an L underneath. Could be as you say, a late transitional but essentially an early 6M. The design is in every way a 6M, including the naked lady engraving. Does your 262xxx say 6M?
The neck does look like it's been redone without the microtuner, although how this came about there's no way to know. It was the first 6M I've played so I don't know whether it affected the sound, but perhaps not as you suggest because it certainly sounded great to me.
The shop's put a pretty stupid price on it... I'm in New Zealand, but in US dallars it's about $2850 ... plus, aside from the missing microtuner, the keys have been replated as well - and not a great job either. New pads though. All I can do is give them my best offer and then see. What would you say it's worth? Like I said, it played really well.

Jason

 

[bfoster64]

Don't pay anywhere near that for it. I've seen some beautiful silver Conn 6m transitionals recently that needed nothing priced around $1000-1400 USD. I played one two weekends ago that was FS and almost bought it because it was so great but then I A/B'd it next to my SDA and realized I liked the SDA better.

 

[bfoster64]

In fact, the horn I just mentioned is still for sale. I have no involvement with the seller other than having played the horn. If you're looking for a horn like this, it is a steller example at a very good price. The seller is a really nice guy who switched to a gorgeous ~350xxx King Super 20.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/msg/435661716.html

 

[bruce bailey]

Look at the neck to see if it has had soldering work done. It is possible it has one of the NY necks that never had the MT. Having the correct neck is important. Also sometimes we can't give you a reply in 38 minutes so be patient.
It is common for sellers to call the satin silver plate nickel as it looks dull to them.

 

[Saxland]

Mine does not say 6M. The one you are looking at is overpriced. A total rip off.

Check out junkdude.com for much better prices. You could buy a 6M from 1951 for $875.00 USD there. Prices vary according to condition. Just because it has a huge price tag does not mean it is necessarily a better horn. It might indicate that collectors are willing to pay more for it, not the players.

Conn 6M's were the longest saxophone production run until the Selmer Mark VI came along. There are alot of them out there. There are tons of them in the USA.

 

[Firefly2005]

Also sometimes we can't give you a reply in 38 minutes so be patient.

No offence, but his wait was more like 36 hours and 38 minutes if I've got my maths right. I thought the same thing till I looked a second time! Just so you don't think all the newbies are rude and impatient

 

[jasonj]

Thanks everyone, good to get some more ideas. Yeah, it's a total rip, but at least I got a chance to play a 6M and dig it. I recently played a '24 New Wonder (pre-chu) and while the sound on that was bigger and juicier, as soon as I picked up that 6M and blew it, the sound was more focussed and even and it felt more 'right', so I think that's more the way I'm going.
Thanks for the link bfoster64, interesting that you prefered your SDA over the Conn transitional. Wonder if you'd have prefered it to an actual 6M?
Saxland, yeah plenty more fish in the sea. Though I think if I went for a 6M it would have to be pre '47 with RTH... might as well get the real thing. I will check out junkdude though.
And Bruce... I will try to be patient.

Jason

 

[bruce bailey]

Sorry, my error. With the GMT or whatever this site uses, it is hard to tell when "today" begins!

 

[bfoster64]

Well, I used to play a 6M and I would say the Transitional was a little better, though it was very similar. I prefer the SDA because it has better ergos, a warmer sound, and a more free-blowing low end. The high end on the Conn is better than on the SDA, but that's the trade-off. In fact, it's one of the best in any alto.

Thanks everyone, good to get some more ideas. Yeah, it's a total rip, but at least I got a chance to play a 6M and dig it. I recently played a '24 New Wonder (pre-chu) and while the sound on that was bigger and juicier, as soon as I picked up that 6M and blew it, the sound was more focussed and even and it felt more 'right', so I think that's more the way I'm going.
Thanks for the link bfoster64, interesting that you prefered your SDA over the Conn transitional. Wonder if you'd have prefered it to an actual 6M?
Saxland, yeah plenty more fish in the sea. Though I think if I went for a 6M it would have to be pre '47 with RTH... might as well get the real thing. I will check out junkdude though.
And Bruce... I will try to be patient.

Jason

 

[jasonj]

Well, I used to play a 6M and I would say the Transitional was a little better, though it was very similar.

Better soundwise?

 

[bfoster64]

Better soundwise?

Yes. The intonation on the tranny was a little better than on the 6m I had before, and the low end played a little better. They were very similar, though. If you read the old threads on SOTW, you'll see some of the most knowledgeable Conn enthusiasts heralding the trannies as the best Conns ever made, apart from maybe the Connquerors. I may have been biased by those opinions. I obviously wasn't able to compare them side by side since I sold my 6m a while ago. But I really liked the tranny. It looks really cool and it is a rare model, so it has some extra cache. It had the neck tuner but the socket was single-socket. The bell keys were split. The LH table keys were a little different. Otherwise, pretty much the same as the 6m from what I could tell. The price was good, it was recently overhauled, and the seller was a nice guy and a player. I thought I'd recommend the horn since you were looking for a 6m. Good luck with your search.