There is a lot of info (and rumours) on the internet about the early 6M alto saxophone model. As far as I can determine after years of online research and reverse engineering on my own stock of saxes, I come to the following conclusions:
For a short period between early and mid-1932, some batches of saxophones (probably at most 500 pieces) were supplied without the Ladyface engraving but instead with the Conn logo on the bell. It is unknown why: Conn made quite a few changes and improvements during that period, especially with the alto saxophones.
Another fantastic 6M VIII alto saxophone! Built in the early 1940s, with serial number 2888xx. These pre-war saxes are in great demand and are among the best saxes Conn produced. This one also has the original lacquer, and is in very good condition. Very nice Ladyface engraving on the bell! No dents, damage or repairs! The pads are still fine: some have been replaced. The sax plays superbly and can compete with any MK6.
The microtuner has been overhauled by us and functions smoothly again, with no play. The original case is old but still functions well.
Another fine 6M VIII Ladyface alto saxophone has arrived under MRO-ID AS111. These are undoubtedly the best saxes Conn has built. A true all-round saxophone with a great sound that many a Selmer MK6 could envy. This example has the original lacquer and is in excellent condition, with only 1 dent and 1 re-soldering. Fitted with Conn Reso-pads, so original sound guaranteed!
Undoubtedly 1 of the rarest and most sought-after tenor saxophones is the Conn 30M ´Connqueror´. Only a limited number was produced between 1936 and 1940, probably a maximum of 1200 copies. I am therefore particularly pleased to add a fine and original one to my collection under MRO-ID TS53.
Only a limited number of Conn Chuberry alto saxes were built in the Artist version, with gold-plated body and keywork. These saxes almost always have a beautiful, highly detailed and unique bell engraving. This is one of the last ChuBerry alto saxophones: shortly after this, changes to the keywork were introduced and the so-called Transitional saxes came into being (although this was never an official designation).
This unique saxophone (AS109) is very special indeed.... Built by Conn for Wurlitzer (serial prefix W). Most likely built at the end of the Roaring 1920´s. This one has very distinct keywork modifications, is gold plated and has full-bell engraving. I've never seen that before! Fortunately, the previous owner (collector) sent along a lot of information about this sax: see the full description and the beautiful photos under AS109.
Very hard to find : a 6M Ladyface war-horn in the VIII-version, silver plated and in very good condition! Not many horns were built during WW2, with only a handful of the 6M VIII saxes. It has a larger VIII identification both on the body and the neck, compared to the standard VIII stamp. On the neck it´s upside down, typical for these larger VIII stamp…. Serial 311723 was built early 1945, when the USA troops were entering Germany and the Japanese army suffered heavy losses.
One of the rarest Conn saxophones is undoubtedly the 18M stretched soprano. Some general information :
This 10M Ladyface has serial number 307337 and was built in mid-1942. So this is a so-called war-horn (from WW2), from the time when Conn built very few musical instruments. However, the sax has no additional US engraving on the bell and was therefore not built for a US military band. I suspect the sax was already largely built during the outbreak of WW2 (Pearl harbour attack in December 1941) and left the factory in 1942 as one of the very last ´normal´ 10M saxes.
