W Scott

Yep, I'd bet you have worn out valves. Before I had the valves redone I had the same problem. The Connies valves visually look o.k., but when they are actually miced the problem shows up. I'd send it too a good shop to be looked at. If the Conns' metal is in good shape (few or no dents or red rot) it's definitely worth trying to get it too play well.

My Conn has a beautiful, unique sound with amazing power. The horn can sound dark when playing in the staff, or you can really power it up with the sound going to brilliant and cutting. It really is a good, all around horn.

musiclifeline

I've got a '58 Connstellation. It's a great horn, though the valves are finally starting to leak, and I need to get them replated. But I also have a 1962 Conn 8-B. It's also great, built like the Connstellation but much lighter, lacquered, and with a much smaller bell. It's the same bore (.438) but because the bell is small, the blow is a bit tight. That said, if you back off the air a bit and play it properly, it's got a beautiful smoky sound (especially after I had a Reeves alignment done on it...)