Conn Trumpets

[Gruntollio Bass]

Does anyone know where I can get information about Conn trumpets.

What I'm looking for is somewhere where I can get a bit of background and history behind the company, but also about my late fathers trumpet which I'm guessing is at least 70 years old.

It's in it's original case with all accessories, and probably needs a bit of restoration work done, but it is fairly good condition otherwise.

I suppose I'd like to get a valuation done on it and also find out where I can get it restored (Preferably in Australia).

I did a little digging some time ago, and heard that the Conn factory may have burnt down in the 50's or 60's, but not sure if this is fact or rumor.

Any advice, info or help greatly appreciated.

[sunburstbasser]

This is probably the best resource on all things Conn that you'll ever find:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~cderksen/ConnTrumpet.html

I started on a now 50 year old Conn 20B trumpet, from 5th grade to 12th and still have it. Good little trumpet. At one time, Conn held the rank for American trumpets that Bach does now (the "must have").

[Gruntollio Bass]

Originally Posted by sunburstbasser

This is probably the best resource on all things Conn that you'll ever find:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~cderksen/ConnTrumpet.html

I started on a now 50 year old Conn 20B trumpet, from 5th grade to 12th and still have it. Good little trumpet. At one time, Conn held the rank for American trumpets that Bach does now (the "must have").

Cheers for the link mate!

I've had a quick look at some of the trumpets pictured on this site and the one I've got looks very similar to a couple of the ones that were made around 1920-1924 era.
Mine's got all the similar engraved patterns on it as these ones.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~cderksen/ConnxxB1923image.html
http://www.xs4all.nl/~cderksen/Conn4B1921image.html

I'll check the serial number on the trumpet and see if I can match it on this site.

Any idea's what a trumpet like this is worth if in reasonble condition or restored?

[rhat]

I think conn is still in business in Elkhart Indiana. I grew up right on the elkhart co line. Elkhart was the town for making musical instruments. rat

[sunburstbasser]

Were you to sell it, you probably wouldn't get a lot out of it unless it is one of the more desired models. If it was something like a Connstellation or maybe a Director it could be worth a few hundred. Usually, you can find the model number in one of a few places:

1. 2nd valve, the part opposite the slide. There may be some numbers there that identify the horn.

2. The top of the bell. With the engraving, this isn't likely, but you can still look.

3. The mouthpipe. Sometimes on the side of the mouthpipe an instrument model number will be stamped.

Interestingly, that second picture is a dead ringer for my 1927 Buescher trumpet, though that one is in MUCH better shape!

The Conn name is still around, with plants in both Elkhart and Eastlake, Ohio IIRC. The trumpets being made now are nothing like the old ones. However, the Vintage One trumpets are very nice.

[IndofunkCity]

What SBB said.

How does yours play?

[Gruntollio Bass]

Cheers guys and thanks for the feedback.

The trumpet is at my mothers place and I'll have to check out all the numbers over the weekend when I go and visit her.

The trumpet does need a bit of TLC to bring it back to it's former glory.

My late father used to play it from the aged of 16 right through until his mid 50's in jazz bands in the Lismore area (north NSW coast) and in Sydney.

Last time I picked it up, all the pipes, horn, mouthpieces were all in good shape but could do with a good clean and polish. There no visible dings or dammage to it.

I'm not a trumpet player myself so I'm probably not up on correctly describing all the parts so forgive me if I'm not clear about what I'm describing.

* The piston type thingies that you use to select your notes seem to be in reasonble order, but may need some servicing to get them back to speed. To someone that can actually play, they might seem a bit sluggish but I'm sure its nothing a good clean and service won't fix.
* The little valve things that you open to release spit/condensation that appear to have some sort of cork type seal, and may need to be replaced as over the years these appear to have been degraded. Again something minor that could be replaced fairly easy for someone that knows what they're doing.
* The trumpet is in it's original case which is showing it's age (circa 85 years old) but it is still functional and still has all the accessories such as additional mouthpieces, cleaning cloth, and also a mute that I brought for my Dad about 20 years ago from a local music store.

I remember when my Dad got some reasonable amounts of practise in and was playing at his best, the trumpet did have a very nice tone to it but this lovely instrument hasn't been played in approximately 15 years and has been stored in it's case in a cupboard since.

I'd like to restore it and then consider either keeping it or selling it. As I said, I'm not a trumpet player and not sure that I ever will be as passionate about it as I am with my chosen instrument (Bass), but at the same time, I'm not sure that this great instrument needs to sit in it's box any longer when someone could bring it back to life again and make some beautiful music with it.

SBB - for some reason the word "Constellation" sounds familiar and I have a suspicion that mine might be one of them. I'll check this out and let you know.

Cheers for the feedback and advice again guys! I'll definately let you know what I find.

[IndofunkCity]

I believe the first Connstellations were made around the early 50's. If your father's horn is from the 20's or 30's, it's probably not a Connstellation. Pity. Trumpets from that era were ones like the Pan American, Connqueror, and New Eras. I wouldn't mind trying a Connquorer or New Era, but I doubt I'd like it as much as my Connstellation.


What I'm saying is, WE NEED PICS!! And lots of 'em!

[Gruntollio Bass]

Originally Posted by IndofunkCity

I believe the first Connstellations were made around the early 50's. If your father's horn is from the 20's or 30's, it's probably not a Connstellation. Pity. Trumpets from that era were ones like the Pan American, Connqueror, and New Eras. I wouldn't mind trying a Connquorer or New Era, but I doubt I'd like it as much as my Connstellation.


What I'm saying is, WE NEED PICS!! And lots of 'em!

It can't be a constellation then because my dad got it given to him when he was about 15 by a relative who had played it for some years beforehand. My Dad was born in 1939 and it was already old when he got it!

I'll take some pics and post them after the weekend.

[IndofunkCity]

Originally Posted by Gruntollio Bass

It can't be a constellation then because my dad got it given to him when he was about 15 by a relative who had played it for some years beforehand. My Dad was born in 1939 and it was already old when he got it!

I'll take some pics and post them after the weekend.

Note: you may be required to send it to me (at your cost, natch) for a full and thorough playing evaluation