[acti0n_jacks0n]

So I have a dilemma.. My mom is on the other side of the country in St. Louis at an old thrift store.. she said that she found an old Pan-Am Tenor being sold for 150$.. she says it looks in good condition (just a little bit rusty). I had her check the pads and she said that they all look pretty nice.. but she wants to know if it would be worth anything.. and to that I said

BULL! GET THAT HORN FOR ME! :twisted:

Well anyway.. the two serial's she provided are

1153489

and

P27648

Please respond ASAP.. because she is only going to be in St. Louis for one more day after today O_O

Thanks in advanced,
Action

 

[Seasax]

pan am --- pan american, it was conn's sideline company good horns for the money, go for it!

 

[acti0n_jacks0n]

Lol yes I am aware of WHAT the Pan-Am is.. and I told her that she should buy it regardless of how much resale value is, because it just way too cool of a horn to pass up.. >_>

 

[Seasax]

then what was the dilemma you described?

 

[bruce bailey]

Make sure that there is a T above the Pxxxxx serial number and not a C which would make it a C Melody. PA serial numbers are a mystery and you need to compare the style to the Conns of the time. I am guessing early 1920s.

 

[acti0n_jacks0n]

I had a 10M Conn on my hands just recently.. so I can compare to see if they look at all similar.. if it is from the era you said though, then I suppose that they won't look TOO similar. My mom said she is going to send me a picture of the horn.. also, if it WAS a C-Melody, I mean MY GOD, what a find! O_O

 

[Seasax]

also, if it WAS a C-Melody, I mean MY GOD, what a find! O_O

C melodys arent' that rare
just think, $150 to buy it, an extra $300 to get it into playing condition and you are left with a horn worth $400 - $500 tops in mint condition.

 

[acti0n_jacks0n]

I have yet to see a C melody.. so for me they are rare. But also, from what my mom said, the pads look fine, and there is no excessive warping of anything. Hopefully there will be no need for extensive work on it..

 

[Seasax]

Hopefully there will be no need for extensive work on it..

i woudln't count on it, the original kid leather white pads can stay looking good for ages but can swell up and leak real badly.

 

[SactoPete]

The horn is likely worth fixing up. I have a Pan-Am tenor that holds its own against some much more expensive saxes. I have about $400 in it, great bang for the buck.

 

[bruce bailey]

If it is a model with both bell keys on the same (left) side, it would not be a C melody as Conn made horns were not offered in C Melody after the opposing bell keys (one on each side).