Conn 18M stretched soprano saxophone
One of the rarest Conn saxophones is undoubtedly the 18M stretched soprano. General information :
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Conn ChuBerry alto saxophone
The Conn New Wonder Series II / ChuBerry was built between 1924 and 1929, and very well-known and sought-after among fans of the old Conn sound. These saxes sound warm and round, and are great for ballads and blues. Many jazz musicians still use this type of saxophone. They have a completely different sound to a Conn Ladyface.
In December 2023, I had 4 alto sax Conn ChuBerry on the workbench for maintenance and adjustment. These are available under MRO ID : AS116, AS117, AS118 and AS119.
King Zephyr Series III
If there is an alternative to the pre-war Conn 6M Ladyface alto saxophone, it is the King Zephyr Series III. The Zephyr is almost identical to the top-of-the-range Super 20 model: differences are in small details and engraving. Body and bore are identical, and these obviously largely determine the sound. This example (MRO ID : AS115) was built in early 1942 and built shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. The original lacquer is largely worn off, but the sax has no damage, dents or repairs. The original double-socket neck has the same serial number as the body.
Conn 10M Ladyface (1942)
A second tenor Conn 10M Ladyface from 1942, serial number 306380, was added to the collection in December 2023. All info under MRO ID: TS54. This is also a so-called war-horn (from WW2), from the time when Conn built very few musical instruments. However, the sax does not have additional US engraving on the bell, so it was not built for a US military music group. I suspect the sax was already largely built during the outbreak of war (Pearl harbour attack in December 1941) and left the factory in 1942 as one of the very last ´normal´ 10M saxes.
Conn Transitional 6M (mid 1932)
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.
Conn 6M VIII Ladyface (1940)
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.
Conn 6M VIII Ladyface (1939)
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!
Conn 30M ´Connqueror´
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.
Alto Conn ChuBerry - Artist version
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).
Conn / Wurlitzer alto ´The Seventh Trumpet´
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.