[TropicalSax1]

Hi there,

I am currently looking to purchase a reasonably cheap tenor sax.

I have found a Conn 16m which serial number starts with N252xxx however it does not have either Mexico or USA engraved on it- therefore I am unsure where is is made. I think it's from ~1970.

I have also found a Weltklang tenor from about 1980. I am unable to find a huge amount of details on these horns and what I can find appear to be quite mixed reviews.

My issues is both of these saxophones are located interstate and therefore I am unable to play before I purchase. Anyone have a recommendation or previous experience with both horns? I have an alto Conn transitional which I love the huge sounds and want similar for the tenor.

Thanks 😊

 

[warp x]

Well, here in Europe almost nobody likes Weltklangs. FWIW The ones I've played were all pretty awful. I have read a few ok reviews, all from people in the US. No idea why.
The Conn is probably an ok horn. Plenty of Conn experts here who will probably chime in with their knowledge.

 

[milandro]

Welcome.

We, here on SOTW, have a lot of information of both horns. Follow these searches ( here below) each has multiple links

It is very difficult tot make a choice without trying the horns , I'd say that Conn may be slightly more sophisticated of certain Weltklangs but then again some Weltklangs were more modern and better made than others.

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/gtsea...=www.saxontheweb.net/&ref=&ss=6278j5926030j16

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/gtsea...=www.saxontheweb.net/&ref=&ss=6278j5926030j16

 

[turf3]

I don't know anything about Weltklang. The Conn 16M is very much a known quantity. If yours is made in 1970 it's probably a reasonable quality instrument, somewhat less refined keywork than a 10M would be, acoustically it's essentially identical to a 10M (thus, huge Conn sound). Be careful, though, because these were sold as "student" instruments from the beginning, and then through the 1970s-90s Conns were pretty much universally regarded as junk. (They weren't.) So a 1970 Conn student sax is likely to have been subjected to a lot of abuse (marching in the rain, poorly done repairs on the cheap, etc.)

 

[Canadiain]

Its hard to believe these are the only two tenors available within the USA to this buyer.... If its a sight unseen purchase anyway then there are surely a ton of other options out there. What is the budget here?

 

[milandro]

OP is in Australia, he has already other horns , so maybe he is asking this out of curiosity to add a cheap tenor to his collection or buying for someone else

 

[TropicalSax1]

Hey thanks for the replies!

Yes I am in Australia (northern tropics) where unfortunately my options are very limited. I have 2 Altos and a soprano however did want a tenor just to play around on. There aren't really other tenors that I can find that are <$1000AUD unless they are very cheap brand like I&K which I have not read great things about.

I am not in a huge rush, perhaps I'll keep looking for a little while and see if anything else pops up.

Thanks for the responses, appreciate it 😊

Thanks

 

[bvhoyweg]

I'm playing a 1959 Weltklang tenor, and everybody (teacher, repair man) comments on the nice big sound it produces.

It is said somewhere in the sixties Weltklang had problems with the production process due to communism system. So rumors are from the 70s onwards quality is not what it used to be.

Resale value is low.
People call this the Trabant, Wartburg of the saxophones, so it is not the Mercedes or Ferrari of the saxophones.

I also have a Yamaha YTS-275 which is my backup horn. So I think it is clear which sax I prefer.

Can you play both of them? Do they need adjustment?

I did buy my Weltklang for 300euro. And after 2 years did put in 700euro for a complete repad. In Belgium these are normal prices. What I'm trying to say is: if it needs adjustment it can be more expensive than the buy.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[GCinCT]

I have a Conn 16M with a serial number very close to the one you are looking at, and also, no Mexico or USA designation. Like you, I bought a tenor just for the sake of having one to play. I'm an alto player. I really like the Conn. It has the big sound, it's easy to play in tune and I have had no mechanical problems at all. Ergonomically, it took some getting used to, but that was more due to the fact that I have small hands and would probably have to adjust to any tenor.

 

[Hassles]

Hi there,

I am currently looking to purchase a reasonably cheap tenor sax.

I have found a Conn 16m which serial number starts with N252xxx however it does not have either Mexico or USA engraved on it- therefore I am unsure where is is made. I think it's from ~1970.

I have also found a Weltklang tenor from about 1980. I am unable to find a huge amount of details on these horns and what I can find appear to be quite mixed reviews.

My issues is both of these saxophones are located interstate and therefore I am unable to play before I purchase. Anyone have a recommendation or previous experience with both horns? I have an alto Conn transitional which I love the huge sounds and want similar for the tenor.

Thanks ��

I have had five Weltklang tenor saxophones pass through my hands and they were all good. Three I gave away (close friends and aspiring musicians), one I sold to a friend for his son and one I kept. Note: the early models differ from the later models. The early models are a little heavier, have a bigger bottom end (up 'till the 70s I reckon) while the later models have a brighter top end. I gave a beautiful full-pearled mid 60s model to a local musician who could not believe how readily the altissimo notes popped out of the thing. I often recommend these to friends looking for a decent affordable tenor. The bell engraving is a good means to date your horn - any images? Is the horn you're looking at on Gumtree or Ebay?

You will find a number of videos on YouTube of individuals playing Weltklang tenor saxophones if you're curious.

FYI: Welt = World / Klang = Sound

 

[Hassles]

I'm playing a 1959 Weltklang tenor, and everybody (teacher, repair man) comments on the nice big sound it produces.

It is said somewhere in the sixties Weltklang had problems with the production process due to communism system. So rumors are from the 70s onwards quality is not what it used to be.

I know / noted - that those Weltklang's of the 70s used bent brass plates instead of posts to mount the hinge tubes for palm and side keys while those instruments of the 80s reverted back to conventional posts. This was definitely a cheapening down of build in my mind. Still the horns played ok. IMHO - the early to mid 60s models were the best. The only real difference between these early to mid 60s models and those made earlier were ergonomics. The earlier Weltklang saxophones had a lot in common with the Akustik saxophones that preceded them - yes - I have two Akustik tenors (neither playable). Check the spatula keys for comparison.

 

[B Flat]

Being from Australia myself I can understand the slimmer pickings on offer.
I’m in Melbourne but have a Tenor here that you may or may not be interested in.
Case is crap but the horn plays well and is only $750 plus postage.
Yamaha YTS100. Made in Japan.
PM me if you’re interested.
It plays a little brighter than a Conn 16m or Weltklang but is IMO of a better build quality than both of them.
Far more modern ergonomics also (if that’s important).

 

[Hassles]

if ergos are important the Yamaha will be difficult to beat - if your more focused upon tonal character then you have a choice to make. With the 'right' mouthpiece and reed you surely can have a modern horn sounding like you want it to - to an extent.