The model I am specifically referring to is the Conn 21A, a Director with № 1½ Bore and Coprion bell. It's not on the Conn Loyalist site, other than this reference: The Conn Loyalist

This also includes the 21B trumpet, but since I prefer cornets, I'm only really concerned with the cornet model produced.

EDIT: From the consensus, it seems that these horns are not outstanding, but are still good. If one comes up on eBay or elsewhere, would it be a bad purchase to buy one for under $200?

NEWER EDIT: I believe the Schilke-designed ones (19A and 21A) have an "under-slung" leadpipe wrap:

Does the serial number have a P prefix? These were the only copper bell cornets I've seen that were produced under the Conn name after 1969. I believe they were spun copper, not coprion, or at least were spun polished, as the few I've had weren't the smooth finish associated with coprion.

These were produced by Yamaha for Conn in 1971, during their transition years. The trumpets are interesting, designed by Schilke, produced by Yamaha, and sold by Conn.

The two downsides I've found were a tendency of redrot in the brass leadpipes and the inherent tone is nothing special. I've had three of the copper belled models, all given away or sold.

I guess they used the Coprion name as a selling point. Real Coprion bells are formed by electrolysis, where they deposited copper ions onto a precision form, and the end result was a seamless, 100% pure copper bell. These have better sound and projection, and as Conn put it, the consistency of the copper makes that possible, unlike inconsistent brass:
The Conn Loyalist

I hear some Conns from the 1970s are okay:

Originally Posted by plp

Some of those are horrible, with some of the worst fit and finish I've ever seen, valves that seem by design to be unable to align, and lacquer that was too dense to allow the trumpets to resonate. I made the mistake of buying a few of them and will not ever buy another without playing it first.

As with all things, where there is inconsistency, there are some stellar examples produced. I put almost 300k on a 1976 Vega, with the worst designed engine ever produced.

I pulled a stuck mouthpiece on one from about 1981 or so, also an 18B, and decided to give it a cleaning and replace the felts and corks just because. When it was done, it turned out to play really well, with a tone that reminded me more of the Getzen Capri and Olds Ambassador than the typical Director. The kid was over the moon when his teacher brought it back cleaned up and was told this was possibly the best Director either one of us had played.

There are some good ones, the proof is always in the playing.

I have one of the 1971 Coprion cornets and it was indeed made by Yamaha. The valves, at least on mine, are fast and smooth, but for tone and response I prefer my 12A or 18A, in that order.

Originally Posted by plp

Does the serial number have a P prefix? These were the only copper bell cornets I've seen that were produced under the Conn name after 1969. I believe they were spun copper, not coprion, or at least were spun polished, as the few I've had weren't the smooth finish associated with coprion.

These were produced by Yamaha for Conn in 1971, during their transition years. The trumpets are interesting, designed by Schilke, produced by Yamaha, and sold by Conn.

The two downsides I've found were a tendency of redrot in the brass leadpipes and the inherent tone is nothing special. I've had three of the copper belled models, all given away or sold.

I believe the Schilke-designed ones (19A and 21A) have an "under-slung" leadpipe wrap:



Do you know anything else about Schilke's involvement? [I personally find it kind of interesting that Conn's new owners (1971) would outsource so many aspects of production...]