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connloyalist · 10-25-2006, 03:31 PM

I just wanted to share my very interesting "vintage cornet/trumpet day". I had taken the day off to go with a Bb Bass playing friend of mine to a large music store about an hour's drive south of here. These people have a sizeable collection of new and (more importantly) vintage instruments. At least for Dutch standards ;) There we ran into a very friendly and knowledgeable sales person, who obviously was also very interested in vintage instruments. Very refreshing. I had the chance to play several instruments I had never seen before:

Two different 28A Connstellations. A 1955 and a 1957 model. They felt and sounded different. I only played these briefly, but they weren't quite as heavy as I had expected, both weight wise and "blow" wise (to get them "moving"). I liked the '57 better.

A 1972 38A Connstellation, including "Abilene, Texas" engraving. These certainly do weigh as much as they say they do. However, the bore size certainly doesn't feel as large as the 0.484" it is.

A 24B Opera Grand, including no leadpipe pinky ring (which is very strange at first). Very different sound concept. I can see where this would be an instrument to be played in a setting of playing music from that period with other instruments from the 1920's. It might not blend that well with modern trumpets.

I also played a Conn "Wurlitzer", a.k.a. Perfected Wonder, a.k.a. "Circus Bore" model. I plugged in my Conn 6 short shank cornet mouthpiece and it fit like a glove. Wow! TOTALLY different sound concept. Again, doesn't feel as large as it is, bore wise. Wonderful, turn of the (previous) century sound. Tom, I understand much better now where you are coming from ;)

The instrument I really came to see though was (believe it or not) a 1963 22B Victor. I must first say I played a 1964 15B Director for most of 25 years, and have been playing a 1948 22B New York Symphony for a few years now. This 22B Victor not only looks very similar to the 15B, it also feels very similar in your hand. Which to me means "familiar and comfortable, like an old friend". It sounds a lot better than a Director (of course), but yet... perhaps not quite as good as my 1948 22B. I didn't buy it because (a) I need some time to consider it and (b) I think the 2nd valve got bashed at some point: the valve itself was fine, but unscrewing the top valve cap was a bit difficult, it was alternately smooth and stiff while unscrewing it. I thought it was interesting to see that in spite of the modern valve caps on the inside Conn still used the old 1930's - 1940's system on the 22B Victor. I guess I ought to find myself a good condition 22B Victor :)

Out of sheer curiosity I also tried an Olds Recording (serial number 37x,xxx if memory serves; what year would that be?). Very different feel in your hand: off-set valves and the valves are much further from your face than usual. What bore size are these? To me the bore felt huge. But I can see where someone who is accustomed to a bore like that might like it.

Regards, Christine

10-25-2006, 03:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
connloyalist Pianissimo User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Netherlands Posts: 66	Very interesting day.... I just wanted to share my very interesting "vintage cornet/trumpet day". I had taken the day off to go with a Bb Bass playing friend of mine to a large music store about an hour's drive south of here. These people have a sizeable collection of new and (more importantly) vintage instruments. At least for Dutch standards ;) There we ran into a very friendly and knowledgeable sales person, who obviously was also very interested in vintage instruments. Very refreshing. I had the chance to play several instruments I had never seen before: Two different 28A Connstellations. A 1955 and a 1957 model. They felt and sounded different. I only played these briefly, but they weren't quite as heavy as I had expected, both weight wise and "blow" wise (to get them "moving"). I liked the '57 better. A 1972 38A Connstellation, including "Abilene, Texas" engraving. These certainly do weigh as much as they say they do. However, the bore size certainly doesn't feel as large as the 0.484" it is. A 24B Opera Grand, including no leadpipe pinky ring (which is very strange at first). Very different sound concept. I can see where this would be an instrument to be played in a setting of playing music from that period with other instruments from the 1920's. It might not blend that well with modern trumpets. I also played a Conn "Wurlitzer", a.k.a. Perfected Wonder, a.k.a. "Circus Bore" model. I plugged in my Conn 6 short shank cornet mouthpiece and it fit like a glove. Wow! TOTALLY different sound concept. Again, doesn't feel as large as it is, bore wise. Wonderful, turn of the (previous) century sound. Tom, I understand much better now where you are coming from ;) The instrument I really came to see though was (believe it or not) a 1963 22B Victor. I must first say I played a 1964 15B Director for most of 25 years, and have been playing a 1948 22B New York Symphony for a few years now. This 22B Victor not only looks very similar to the 15B, it also feels very similar in your hand. Which to me means "familiar and comfortable, like an old friend". It sounds a lot better than a Director (of course), but yet... perhaps not quite as good as my 1948 22B. I didn't buy it because (a) I need some time to consider it and (b) I think the 2nd valve got bashed at some point: the valve itself was fine, but unscrewing the top valve cap was a bit difficult, it was alternately smooth and stiff while unscrewing it. I thought it was interesting to see that in spite of the modern valve caps on the inside Conn still used the old 1930's - 1940's system on the 22B Victor. I guess I ought to find myself a good condition 22B Victor :) Out of sheer curiosity I also tried an Olds Recording (serial number 37x,xxx if memory serves; what year would that be?). Very different feel in your hand: off-set valves and the valves are much further from your face than usual. What bore size are these? To me the bore felt huge. But I can see where someone who is accustomed to a bore like that might like it. Regards, Christine __________________ Main instrument: 1948 22B New York Symphony Member of the Elkhart-Conn 22B Fan Club