| Re: Conn Vintage 1 vs. Conn CONNstellation vs. B&S challenger II: Which is better?
I haven't played the Challenger II, but I own a Vintage One and side-by-side compared it to a 1971 CONNstellation prior to buying the VI.
I have a problem with a bright, edgy sound; even with an GR MX cup mouthpiece. The CONNstellation really exacerbated the bright problem compared to the Rose Brass V1. For marching or a lead horn, the CONNstellation could work for me, but to blend in a section or for concert band, or mic'ed, the VI is the ticket.
As an engineer, I also like the opportunity to modify the slides, valve cap weights. I had to make a firm rule for myself. only change ONE item and then live with it for two weeks before deciding if it was an improvement. After about 6 months of experimenting, I have a setup that I can recognize by response, even in a blind test with someone else modifying the horn and handing it to me. |