 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ashadazle
Date: 2004-04-24 17:41
Are Conn clarinets worth buying as an intermediate instrument?
Post Edited (2004-04-24 17:48)
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-04-24 18:46
I'll assume we are talking about older Conns & then it depends on which Model you are referring to: Rosewood-Propeller wooden Model, Model 16, Director, Pan American, etc . - are NOT WORTH BUYING (imo). No offense to anybody on the pretty propeller red wood - it is gorgeous.
The Conn Model(s) 424 & 444 are definitely Pro calibre - they are worth buying if you don't mind playing a large Bore horn. The 424's get overlooked a lot because of the 444's notoriety & prettier Bell w/medallion.
For me, a Conn 424 restored properly is a great piece of history & oodles of fun to play - done right it's free blowing & a joy to play - I like them. IMO, if you want to play "Begin the Beguine" the 424 or a horn like it is your ticket.
Post Edited (2004-04-24 20:34)
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Author: clarinetgal
Date: 2004-04-25 05:11
I agree on the 424 being a nice jazz horn. I get almost the same sound as my Selmer 9. It is actually a little warmer but harder to tune.
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-04-25 05:38
Well "it's good to be da King" ... everybody always tuned to Artie ! mw
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-04-25 15:01
As a Conn 444 owner I beg to differ.
These instruments are notoriously wild, with spotty tuning and 70 year old mechanicals... if you're lucky, you have one that doesn't require constant fiddling to keep it all together.
Don't get me wrong, I won't part with mine, but it's more a curiosity piece.
Modern instruments have the benefit of improved design and materials.
If you're an advancing player, the last thing you need is an instrument in need of constant repairs... you should be playing, not paying.
The Yamaha line of intermediate clarinets, Amatis and the Vito V40 can be had for reasonable prices - and they'll serve you well.
Think of it like this - a decent instrument will cost you around $300 used -
from a reputable repair shop. You'll pay them up front, or eventually...
so what's your time worth?
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-04-25 17:30
How about ....."between about $300 to $400".....for a decent "intermediate" horn.....? "Intermediate" covers a rather wide range..
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Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2004-04-25 17:36
I've found most of the Conn 424 and 444 behave much better with large bore mouthpieces. I find that the vintage Brilhart Tonalin mouthpieces work quite well with them. Additionally, corrections to the barrel (usually finding or making a longer barrel) also make a difference. I agree with SB in that with the bore being rather large, tuning is almost where you "put" the pitch. I think that is the "challenge" and also the "charm" of these clarinets.
jbutler
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-04-25 21:22
Had a really nice old CONN (ca. 1927)....wrap-around register....articulated G#.....completely overhauled.....a great big bore instrument....nice piece of history, but had to sell it. Personal.
Wish I hadn't. Have never seen another like it anywhere. Not even on ebay. Interesting....sold it on ebay....never heard back from the person who purchased it.....not even any feedback....and the email address was abandoned...was hoping to get in touch....and maybe buy it back....oh well.
JG
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-04-26 14:25
A couple of years ago I repadded a Conn 444 for someone and I thought it was a very well-made instrument --- it also played quite nicely.
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Author: mw
Date: 2004-04-26 15:40
I've had a bit much more experience with the 424 as opposed to the Model 444 (I've owned 1 or 2).
The 424 is like Rodney Dangerfield & it gets no respect. Recently, I've seen 424's selling for $25-100. That's good if your budget allows for fixing one up, properly. If it doesn't, a leaky-wobbly-big bore vintage clarinet is not for anyone.
I think enough of the keywork on the Model 424, that I have had a couple replated, Steve Fowler did (at least) the last in silverplate & it was a smashing success in every way. IMO, the keywork (feel & stability) to the 424 is about as good as any from that timeframe, certainly akin to Selmer's. I ended up selling the last 424 to a Clarinet professor in Tennessee who still writes me & tells how much he loves it & it's intonation.
Big bored instruments definitely have different dynamics - and like any other manufacturer there will always be some instruments that turn out to be a "failed experiment" - but Conn's clarinets from it's heyday were pretty alright in my book.
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