The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Lee
Date: 2000-02-28 09:03
Can anyone provide information on a Conn model 78 clarinet? Is this an intermediate or pro model? How does it play? etc.
Any information is greatly appreciated.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-02-28 19:14
Lee - Model names and numbers often don't mean much to us, I suggest you look up the serial no. in the listings under Equipment, How Old is My. I have a S N list also and if you let us know, perhaps we can help, I'm sure others than I have had Conn experience thru the years. Don
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Author: Lee
Date: 2000-02-28 19:36
Model names and numbers often don't mean much to us, I suggest you look up the serial no. in the listings under Equipment, How Old is My. I have a S N list also and if you let us know, perhaps we can help, I'm sure others than I have had Conn experience thru the years.
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Serial Number is #H09789. I looked it up in the equipment section, but it did not seem to fit. I believe the horn is at least 30 years old. Thanks.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2000-02-29 00:03
This may be a somewhat off the topic. Only FYI.
A brass resource saids:"NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM 1967 TO MARCH 1974. AROUND THAT TIME THE
CONN BRASS INSTRUMENTS WERE BEING MANUFACTURED IN SOUTH TEXAS AND NOT IN
ELKHART. IF YOU HAVE A HORN THAT SAYS TEXAS THAT IS THE VINTAGE FROM THOSE
YEARS. FOR THE MOST PART THOSE YEARS WERE NOT VERY GOOD ONES FOR
WORKMANSHIP, AS THE WORKERS WERE UNSKILLED COMPARED TO THE GREAT CRAFTSMEN
FROM ELKHART."
Yes,Vintage Elkhart C.G.Conn Saxophonse are very expensive and everybody seeks one. It seems very interesting to see just moving manufacturing place brought about this disastrous results.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-02-29 01:55
Lee - I've always had difficulty with Conn ser no's, the tables all show 9789 as being 1905!!Is this possible? My old hard-rubber C cl is C108210L and I date it at 1923. Where did the 78 come from, are there other markings on it anywhere that might help? Could the H in error because of wear. Is it the usual key system, Boehm, or an earlier set of keys? Quite a mystery isn't it Don
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-03-02 14:44
Lee - I have been hoping you might provide some description of your Conn 78, since I have interest in, and some familiarity with early Conns. I believe you said your Serial No began with H. Dee told us, which was new to me, that some makers [French perhaps] used H to describe cl's designed to play in the key of B-NATURAL!!, an unusual one. If you wish to pursue this, a number of us will be glad to help. Don
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Author: Lee
Date: 2000-03-02 15:24
Don,
Thanks for your help, but I have provided all the information I know. The clarinet is a black grenedilla wood, Boehm system, pitched in Bb, it has the Conn mark on all the pieces, and the number "78" inscribed below the maker mark, also in gold. Upper and Lower section have the matching serial numbers. I was told that the clarinet was purchased new in 1966. Based on the looks of the original case and mouthpiece, this date appears to be accurate. It seems to play fairly well, so I believe it to be an advanced model.
I researched the web, but could not find information on this specifc model. Maybe I will send a letter to UMI and see what they have to say.
Thanks again,
Lee
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-03-02 16:43
Don Berger wrote:
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Lee - I have been hoping you might provide some description of your Conn 78, since I have interest in, and some familiarity with early Conns. I believe you said your Serial No began with H. Dee told us, which was new to me, that some makers [French perhaps] used H to describe cl's designed to play in the key of B-NATURAL!!, an unusual one.
If you wish to pursue this, a number of us will be glad to help. Don
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But not when used as part of the serial number and according to Rendall the B natural became obsolete a VERY long time ago. It pretty much died out when they went to the Mueller/Albert and Boehm style clarinets in the early 1800s.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-03-02 16:47
Try the Shrine to Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota. One of the staff specializes in the history of Conn. They also have a web site. I've lost the URL but you can find it with a search.
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