[Bassling]

I found this on eBay. It would complete my set but the seller won't respond to my questions on whether it is high or low pitch.
From your experience is there any way of knowing if this is high or low pitch?
Thanks

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1917-18-C...&otn=2&po=LVI&ps=63&clkid=4717691650191459524

 

[milandro]

well, fortunately Conn identifies the horns as LP or HP, unfortunately the seller has omitted to show pictures of the serial number where it say whether it is a low or high pitch. FRom the pictures one cannot tell.
Ask more pictures of where it says the serial number and patent number.

 

[Bassling]

Thanks for getting back to me. I asked the seller to post a picture of the serial number on the body, or even just to tell me the letters around the serial number but he has not got back to me. I was hoping that something on the body would give it away, but I guess not....... (sigh). I really fancy an old silver bari too - I guess I will just have to wait.
Thanks again.

 

[milandro]

a high pitch horn is slightly smaller than a Low pitch this is particularly difficult to measure in a Baritone

 

[saxophender]

From the seller's description of this, and his other items, he appears to be a musician and is pretty knowledgeable about what he's got. If he's dodging the question I'd treat it as a red flag. (Or, maybe he's out on a gig and hasn't had a chance to respond to you yet. Time will tell, I suppose.) In any case, I wouldn't fret too much over it. IMHO, a Conn of this vintage is no great prize (unless for some reason you're trying to complete a set of pre-rolled tone hole Conns), the opening bid is already no major steal, and it doesn't appear to be in exceptional condition. I'd pass and wait for something better to come along. Even if you have to pay a little more, a 1920s Conn would be a considerably better player. I have a tenor of about this vintage and it plays like a student horn. The only reason I bought it was it's in near mint original condition and the price was $75 (in a local antique shop). My 1923 Conn tenor, a twice (at least) relacquered, surplussed, high school horn that's been beat nearly to death still outplays it by a mile and a half.

 

[maddenma]

HP or LP, that bari has a very nice bow to the body. Might be useful in archery. Certainly will cost some money to straighten back out.

 

[Grumps]

In any case, I wouldn't fret too much over it. IMHO, a Conn of this vintage is no great prize...

Have you played one of these baritones? I know mine has its quirks and limited keyed range, but it has that same Conn punch as the later models. They'll play sharp with modern styled mouthpieces, but at least this one comes with an old Woodwind Co. pickle-barrel which should play in tune (and is worth at least a hundred bucks on its own).

I wouldn't bid though unless it could be confirmed that there's a letter L under the serial number and more pictures could be provided to rule out a bend in the body.

 

[saxophender]

I have not. However, I do have two such early non-RTH tenors and two C melodies, and none of them is as good (IMO) as my later RTH Conn tenors and C melodies. I assumed a similar result with the baritones. I would not necessarily disagree with your statement that the older ones have "that same Conn punch as the later models." My issue with the older ones is primarily the keywork, action and overall feel which I have found to be somewhat "student-ish", even though they do have a fairly nice tone. I'm not saying they're bad horns; I just wouldn't lose sleep over missing out on one, especially in the condition and at the price of the one the OP referenced. With a little patience I would expect to be able to do better than that.

 

[VintageSaxGuy]

I'm interested in hearing what qualities in an older Conn make it 'student-ish'.

 

[saxophender]

I'm not a professional player, and I haven't spent a great deal of time playing on non-RTH Conns or trying to analyze why I don't like them as much as the later RTH models, which I like very much. Off hand, I'd say that at least on mine, the action isn't as smooth and fast as on the later ones, and they don't play as easily or smoothly from top to bottom. Maybe it's just a maintenance issue with my older ones rather than an inherent quality difference. I'm sure you and Grumps are much more experienced, and better players, than I (and just to be clear, I am not being sarcastic), and if you find the non-RTH Conns to be just as good as the later ones I will gladly defer to your opinion. I don't have any axe to grind here. I was just putting in my "2 cents," which it appears is actually worth significantly less than that. So, as Emily Littella (sp.?) would say, "never mind."

 

[Grumps]

... and they don't play as easily or smoothly from top to bottom.

My old bari has a great voice from top to bottom with no tough notes to reach. I will say this though... it has a lighter feel to it than a more modern bari, and if you get the same feel from the very early Conn tenors I can see why it may seem student-like to you. For me that's a plus, as it's a great bar horn; somewhat light and easier to manage. It's also held up for years since I've last had it serviced.

I have tried those early tenors and to me they're pure honkers... which is a good thing... fun to play.