Plain Jane Vintage Conn (low alto) Value

Great vintage of a Conn 6m. Still has the older keywork for the left pinky.

I have one of these horn (in goldplate). They are often called
"art deco" horns because of the style of engraving, your example hasn't got any engraving but it is still an "art deco" model or "transitional" model.

Depending on the condition of this horn, it could be valued at US $900-$1500. I had a silverplated version of this horn w/ engraving. Bob Ackerman offered me $1400 for it.

Looks like a very late tranny or very early 6m. Looks like its in great condition. Silver looks nice and clean but still old looking, not too shining/replated looking. If the pads and mechanics are all in good working order, I would say its worth $1500 maybe more but certainly not less.

Good looking horn. Looks like it's nickel plating to me, though, not silver.

looks nickel to me too..

It hasn't been replated. It could be nickel. Is there an easy way for a minerally-challenged person to find out? Does that change the value much? Thanks again for all the help!!!

I'd vote nickel too.

vixter said:

It could be nickel. Is there an easy way for a minerally-challenged person to find out?

Click to expand...

Has it been polished recently? A silver-plated horn becomes tarnished over the years, whereas nickel ones don't.

That's 4 votes for nickel.

Very good - common sense. It has been in the case for quite a while and would likely look much different if it were silver plated. So, does that make it less valuable? I'd like to buy it and want to pay a fair price.

Thanks again!

Definitely nickel. These are nice horns! I've had a couple of these nickel plated transitionals come through the shop and they have all been monsters. We overhauled one and sold it for $1500 here in NYC. So if its been overhauled, I'd say somewhere around there or hopefully less. If it needs work (you said it was in a case for a while) maybe more like $800-1000.

Those I think would be fair prices. What its WORTH? More than you'll have to pay! These horns are undervalued IMHO.

Definitely Nickel Plate. It should be a great player. It would be best to be considered as a late Tranny model. This is a keeper horn, a real players horn.

I have a little earlier model with split bell keys that is the most vibrant and resonant alto I have ever played. It actually makes me want to play alto.

stitch said:

I'd vote nickel too.

Has it been polished recently? A silver-plated horn becomes tarnished over the years, whereas nickel ones don't.

Click to expand...

That is incorrect. Nickel absolutely tarnishes. The difference is that Nickel oxidizes to a whitish/offwhite color whereas silver oxidizes to a blackish/dark color. The easiest way to find out if it is nickel or not is to wipe the whole thing down thoroughly with a soft, light colored cloth. If after a bit of rubbing the cloth has a blackish residue on it, its silver plot. If you don't see any discernible residue, its probably nickel.

If it is nickel plate, the value will drop but it really depends on who wants and how much they care about looks verses sound.