Conn Model Numbers -- Old Catalog "C"


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Posted by Rob P-M on December 02, 2002 at 15:06:12:

For the historically minded with an interest in old Conn basses and sousaphones, I have just obtained a Conn "General Catalog C" of unknown date, but probably around 1920 -- there is one reference to the "Legion" and the American Legion was formed in 1919. There are not the ususal references in other 1920's Conn Catalogs to large numbers of instruments supplied to the Army and Navy during the World War.

There are a number of new models and numbers of basses and sousaphones previously unknown to me. I will try to post a complete list and to scan in descriptions and numbers later in the month, but as a teaser, there is no reference to the 34J/36J Orchestra Grand that many of us know from Stauffer's book and some other later catalogs. What there is, however are two different groups of CC tubas:

1. The "New Wonder" Phonograph Model Bass

This horn was a low pitch (A=440) CC tuba with a "smaller" bore and a 15" recording bell. It was supposed to have been "at the personal request of the celebrated Tuba artist, August Helleberg. Since it was introduced teh bass playesr of New York, Philadelphia and Chicago have foudn the Conn Phonograph Model indispensible for their recording. Each purchaser of one of these has been unusually high in his praise of the easy tone production, quick speaking quality and clean recordings of the Conn Phonograph Bass"

The model number given is 48J

Anybody ever see one of these? Or even hear of this before?

2. "Symphony" Model Basses

Two different "Symphony" basses (low pitch and high pitch (A=457)) with upright bells and two "Symphohy Grand" basses (low pitch and high pitch) with "Wonderphone" recording bells, all in CC are listed. All the horn are four valve front action and have leadpipes without the tuning slide in them. All have 20" bells.

Model numbers are (in order) 84J, 85J, 86J and 87J

Again, has anyone ever heard of or seen one of these?

3. The "Wonderphone Bass in BBb"

This horn in the illustration looks like a 3 valve front action version of the later 3XJ horns, but smaller. In fact this is the original of the nonillustrated 80J we have seen in other catalogs as a smaller version of the later big 26" recording bell, 4 valve front action 36J of the early 30's pre 2XJ era.

These horns have "Monster BBb" bores (must be the .734 ish), 23" recording bells and come in four variants: 3 valves front low pitch 80J, 3 valves front high pitch 81J, 4 valves front low pitch 82J and 4 valves front high ptich 83J.




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