Conn Connquest review

screamingmorris · 05-30-2008, 02:46 AM

Occasionally a Conn Connquest intermediate-level ("step-up") vintage instrument appears for sale on eBay, but when I searched for opinions on them I found nothing in any archives anywhere on the Internet.

Today I had the opportunity to try a 1969 Conn Connquest 76A cornet pretty much identical to the one pictured at Conn Loyalist at
The Conn Loyalist
so I'll share my experience here for everyone's future reference.

Up-front summary:
The Conn Connquest 76A cornet plays *very* much like the more expensive Conn 5A Victor cornet seen at
The Conn Loyalist
so that if you find a Conn Connquest 76A cornet on Ebay in good condition for $100 plus shipping, it is well worth it.

Note that according to Conn's description quoted there at
http://www.xs4all.nl/~cderksen/Conn76A1968image.html
the 76A became slightly longer sometime in its production, but that difference is only a little more than an inch.

And note that this is the .485 bore Connquest 76A cornet made 1961 through 1971.
I have never played its predecessor, the .438 bore Conn Connquest 77A that was made 1957 through 1960 as seen at
The Conn Loyalist

Although a close look at the tubing configuration of the 76A at
The Conn Loyalist
shows that it is a different tubing configuration than seen on the Conn 5A at
The Conn Loyalist
the 76A and my 5A looked so much alike during quick glances that I found myself repeatedly having to look at the mouthpiece receivers for the "Victor" and "Connquest" stamped there to discover which one I was holding at the moment.

The tone of the 1969 Connquest 76A is virtually identical to the tone of my 1962 Conn 5A.
At first in my side-by-side comparison, using a Bach 7 (no letter) mouthpiece, I thought the 76A sounded *slightly* brighter, but when I attemped to repeat that result I started getting identical tone from both cornets.

I did notice that notes above High C were slightly easier to play on the Connquest 76A than on my Conn 5A, leading me to believe that the Connquest might have slightly greater resistance, although I could not really feel a difference in resistance.

The Connquest 76A felt like it was the same approximate weight as the Conn 5A, which some people characterize as heavy.
The 76A had approximately the same number of braces as the 5A making the 76A fairly sturdy.

The valves on the 1969 76A were OK, but they did not feel as nice as the the valves on my 1962 5A.
There are several possible reasons:
- The 76A had not been used in a long time, so my merely dumping a buch of oil on the valves without cleaning them first did not do them justice.
- The 76A has a different type of valves than the "Tri-C" valves found on 1961-1962 on 5A's like mine.
- The 76A is a step-up intermediate-level instrument while the Conn 5A is low-level professional, so maybe Conn put more care into making the 5A valves.
- Although the 1969 Connquest 76A was made in Elkhart, the quality of Conn instruments might have slightly deteriorated during the 1960's.
- The previous owner of my 5A might have taken better care of the valves than the previous owner of the 76A
- One cornet might simply have many more miles on it than the other.

Summary:
The 1961-1971 Conn Connquest 76A sounded so much like my Conn 5A that most of the time I honestly could not tell which one I was playing. Both had that rich, full tone one likes to get from a huge-bore short cornet.
Although the Connquest 76A did not feel like it had quite the quality of workmanship felt in the Conn 5A, the Connquest 76A was definitely better quality than a Conn Director.
So if you see a Connquest 76A on eBay in good shape for only $100 plus shipping, it is a good buy.

- Morris

oldlou · 05-30-2008, 11:44 AM

In my 'accumilation' of instruments I have an 'appearance clone' to Christines 77A. It is the Conn 16A, which is not to be found anywhere in the Conn Loyalist website listings. I see it as a poor attempt at a copy of the Olds Ambassador with VERY poorly designed top sprung valves. No matter how I clean and lube these wierd valves they are still sluggish. In most other ways, the little horn plays quite well. The tone is great, as is the intonation and centering. If it had better acting valves I would love it.

OLDLOU>>

screamingmorris · 05-30-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldlou

In my 'accumilation' of instruments I have an 'appearance clone' to Christines 77A. It is the Conn 16A, which is not to be found anywhere in the Conn Loyalist website listings. I see it as a poor attempt at a copy of the Olds Ambassador with VERY poorly designed top sprung valves. No matter how I clean and lube these wierd valves they are still sluggish. In most other ways, the little horn plays quite well. The tone is great, as is the intonation and centering. If it had better acting valves I would love it.

OLDLOU>>

What is the serial number of your Conn 16A?
It sounds like one of those post-Elkhart instruments from 1971 onward.

- Morris

oldlou · 05-30-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screamingmorris

What is the serial number of your Conn 16A?
It sounds like one of those post-Elkhart instruments from 1971 onward.

- Morris

GA820134 I have no notion of when or where the little horn was made, and, really am not overly interested. There are things about it that I like, and, things that I don't. It is just another of the slightly unusual horns in my 'accumilation'.

OLDLOU>>

Dale Proctor · 05-30-2008, 05:00 PM

Interesting analysis of the 76A. I looked for a nice example of that cornet for a while and then ran across a deal on a 5A and bought it.

MFfan · 05-30-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldlou

GA820134 I have no notion of when or where the little horn was made, and, really am not overly interested. There are things about it that I like, and, things that I don't. It is just another of the slightly unusual horns in my 'accumilation'.

OLDLOU>>

Hi Lou, from Horn-u-copia it looks like it was made in 1978. Interesting Conn discussion. Dave

Dale Proctor · 06-12-2008, 09:23 AM

Guess what? I just bought a '69 Conn 76A Connquest short cornet on eBay for a pretty good price. Been looking for a decent, inexpensive one for a few years. It has a little bell tail damage, but I think it won't be a difficult fix, since the bell has that removable slide next to the 3rd valve slide. Here's the auction link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200229435377&ssPageNam e=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123

I'll post some playing impressions in a few weeks. If it's a good horn, the old Conn 5A Victor cornet will probably be hitting eBay....

screamingmorris · 06-12-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale Proctor

Guess what? I just bought a '69 Conn 76A Connquest short cornet on eBay for a pretty good price. Been looking for a decent, inexpensive one for a few years. It has a little bell tail damage, but I think it won't be a difficult fix, since the bell has that removable slide next to the 3rd valve slide. Here's the auction link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200229435377&ssPageNam e=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123

I'll post some playing impressions in a few weeks. If it's a good horn, the old Conn 5A Victor cornet will probably be hitting eBay....

Congratulations on your new Connquest 76A!
I think you will love the rich tone it gives, virtually identical to the tone from my Conn 5A.

- Morris

Sturmbill · 06-12-2008, 11:59 AM

Thanks, guys! This has been an interesting thread. I am fortunate enough to own both the 5A (the one on ConnLoyalist is mine) and the 76A. I have similar opinions on the differences to Morris', and had played both for a while in a brass band, but I had put them away in favor of my Schilke XA1. I'll have to dig them out and re-acquaint myself with these great little horns!

Thanks for the inspiration!

Regards,

Bill

screamingmorris · 06-12-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sturmbill

Thanks, guys! This has been an interesting thread. I am fortunate enough to own both the 5A (the one on ConnLoyalist is mine) and the 76A. I have similar opinions on the differences to Morris', and had played both for a while in a brass band, but I had put them away in favor of my Schilke XA1...

I understand completely.

It is similar to high school students who get out the Getzen 300 for marching band instead of the Bach Strad because they don't want to risk damaging the Bach Strad

- Morris

05-30-2008, 02:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
screamingmorris Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 746	Conn Connquest review Occasionally a Conn Connquest intermediate-level ("step-up") vintage instrument appears for sale on eBay, but when I searched for opinions on them I found nothing in any archives anywhere on the Internet. Today I had the opportunity to try a 1969 Conn Connquest 76A cornet pretty much identical to the one pictured at Conn Loyalist at The Conn Loyalist so I'll share my experience here for everyone's future reference. Up-front summary: The Conn Connquest 76A cornet plays very much like the more expensive Conn 5A Victor cornet seen at The Conn Loyalist so that if you find a Conn Connquest 76A cornet on Ebay in good condition for $100 plus shipping, it is well worth it. Note that according to Conn's description quoted there at http://www.xs4all.nl/~cderksen/Conn76A1968image.html the 76A became slightly longer sometime in its production, but that difference is only a little more than an inch. And note that this is the .485 bore Connquest 76A cornet made 1961 through 1971. I have never played its predecessor, the .438 bore Conn Connquest 77A that was made 1957 through 1960 as seen at The Conn Loyalist Although a close look at the tubing configuration of the 76A at The Conn Loyalist shows that it is a different tubing configuration than seen on the Conn 5A at The Conn Loyalist the 76A and my 5A looked so much alike during quick glances that I found myself repeatedly having to look at the mouthpiece receivers for the "Victor" and "Connquest" stamped there to discover which one I was holding at the moment. The tone of the 1969 Connquest 76A is virtually identical to the tone of my 1962 Conn 5A. At first in my side-by-side comparison, using a Bach 7 (no letter) mouthpiece, I thought the 76A sounded slightly brighter, but when I attemped to repeat that result I started getting identical tone from both cornets. I did notice that notes above High C were slightly easier to play on the Connquest 76A than on my Conn 5A, leading me to believe that the Connquest might have slightly greater resistance, although I could not really feel a difference in resistance. The Connquest 76A felt like it was the same approximate weight as the Conn 5A, which some people characterize as heavy. The 76A had approximately the same number of braces as the 5A making the 76A fairly sturdy. The valves on the 1969 76A were OK, but they did not feel as nice as the the valves on my 1962 5A. There are several possible reasons: - The 76A had not been used in a long time, so my merely dumping a buch of oil on the valves without cleaning them first did not do them justice. - The 76A has a different type of valves than the "Tri-C" valves found on 1961-1962 on 5A's like mine. - The 76A is a step-up intermediate-level instrument while the Conn 5A is low-level professional, so maybe Conn put more care into making the 5A valves. - Although the 1969 Connquest 76A was made in Elkhart, the quality of Conn instruments might have slightly deteriorated during the 1960's. - The previous owner of my 5A might have taken better care of the valves than the previous owner of the 76A - One cornet might simply have many more miles on it than the other. Summary: The 1961-1971 Conn Connquest 76A sounded so much like my Conn 5A that most of the time I honestly could not tell which one I was playing. Both had that rich, full tone one likes to get from a huge-bore short cornet. Although the Connquest 76A did not feel like it had quite the quality of workmanship felt in the Conn 5A, the Connquest 76A was definitely better quality than a Conn Director. So if you see a Connquest 76A on eBay in good shape for only $100 plus shipping, it is a good buy. - Morris Last edited by screamingmorris; 05-30-2008 at 02:56 AM.

05-30-2008, 11:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
oldlou Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, Mi. Posts: 679	Re: Conn Connquest review In my 'accumilation' of instruments I have an 'appearance clone' to Christines 77A. It is the Conn 16A, which is not to be found anywhere in the Conn Loyalist website listings. I see it as a poor attempt at a copy of the Olds Ambassador with VERY poorly designed top sprung valves. No matter how I clean and lube these wierd valves they are still sluggish. In most other ways, the little horn plays quite well. The tone is great, as is the intonation and centering. If it had better acting valves I would love it. OLDLOU>> __________________ Couturier trumpet York Master Model trumpet York Elite trumpet York Airflow cornet King super 20 Master Model cornet King Liberty trumpet Reynolds Professional cornet Bohm & Meinl professional trumpet Besson 10-10 trumpet with Holton M.F. bell Olds Special cornet Los Angeles B&H Sovereign cornet G.R.Band Instr. cornet Getzen Super Deluxe trumpet and cornet Getzen Deluxe trumpet and cornet Many others no room to list

05-30-2008, 05:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dale Proctor Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Heart of Dixie Posts: 704	Re: Conn Connquest review Interesting analysis of the 76A. I looked for a nice example of that cornet for a while and then ran across a deal on a 5A and bought it. __________________ "Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away." - Sir Thomas Beecham Olde Towne Brass www.otbrass.com Brass Band of Huntsville www.brassbandofhuntsville.org

06-12-2008, 09:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
Dale Proctor Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Heart of Dixie Posts: 704	Re: Conn Connquest review Guess what? I just bought a '69 Conn 76A Connquest short cornet on eBay for a pretty good price. Been looking for a decent, inexpensive one for a few years. It has a little bell tail damage, but I think it won't be a difficult fix, since the bell has that removable slide next to the 3rd valve slide. Here's the auction link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200229435377&ssPageNam e=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123 I'll post some playing impressions in a few weeks. If it's a good horn, the old Conn 5A Victor cornet will probably be hitting eBay.... __________________ "Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away." - Sir Thomas Beecham Olde Towne Brass www.otbrass.com Brass Band of Huntsville www.brassbandofhuntsville.org

06-12-2008, 11:59 AM	#9 (permalink)
Sturmbill New Friend Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 45	Re: Conn Connquest review Thanks, guys! This has been an interesting thread. I am fortunate enough to own both the 5A (the one on ConnLoyalist is mine) and the 76A. I have similar opinions on the differences to Morris', and had played both for a while in a brass band, but I had put them away in favor of my Schilke XA1. I'll have to dig them out and re-acquaint myself with these great little horns! Thanks for the inspiration! Regards, Bill __________________ Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati! - Red Green

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