Conn baritone

[gvtuba]

I am a tuba player who used to play baritone. I recently played two friends' vintage Conn circa early 40's. The horns were bell forward with short throw valves.

Anyway, I was able to put out a much better sound/tone than on newer Yamahas and other horns. I had not played a euphonium in several years and was amazed at the sound.

So my question is, we're these Conns consistently good for many years? I would like to find one and would like to know your thoughts on this topic.

Thank you.

[Lew]

I am primarily a tuba player, but used to own one of the short action Conn's from the 40s. In my opinion the best Conns were made before the 1960s. The short action 2xI models (20I, 21I, 22I, 23I) were some of their best, like this one:

[GC]

A friend got his Conn baritone in junior high in the early '60's. He used it through military careers in the Navy (including shipboard) and the Army. It still plays great, has all of its original lacquer, no visible lacquer bleeds, tight valves, and he kept it almost dent-free. Obviously he babied the horn, but it's proof of the workmanship of that era.

[jeopardymaster]

Tom Klaber (Cleveland Orchestra) had one of these in high school and sounded incredible. I tried one and didn't. I guess that's why he's Tom Klaber and I'm not.

[gvtuba]

Thanks for the info, guys. My next question is, does anyone know where one might be for sale? I guess a 2xl may be what I am looking for. Thanks.

[GC]

Check with local repair shops. There are plenty of these things hanging around or out as rental horns. Finding one in really good shape may be a challenge, though . . .

[Dan Schultz]

Thanks for the info, guys. My next question is, does anyone know where one might be for sale? I guess a 2xl may be what I am looking for. Thanks.

Three-valved short-action 2Xi horns are fairly common and most I've seen have a detachable recording bell. Straight bells are pretty scarce.

Four-valved short-action ones are extremely rare. So rare in fact... that I custom-made mine instead of waiting for one to surface.

In either case... sometimes they are difficult to spot with the crummy pictures that are often posted. The easiest method to find one are the oval port into and out of the valve cluster. Also... the bottom valve caps have been slotted on all that I've seen. There are no keys in the pistons but each valve has an 'extra' part under the valve cap with a rod that guides the piston.