Just received what looks like a Conn NY Symphony Special that I bought on eBay. The N.Y. Symp. Special stamp is missing from the receiver, so maybe it's not a NY Symphony Special, or maybe the receiver was replaced at some point. The valves are pristine, compression excellent, and intonation is more solid through the middle and upper ranges than any of the other vintage 22Bs I've played. I paid about half what the NY Symphony Specials usually go for on eBay, so whatever it is I'm happy.

The engraving, which runs the length of the bell, is as intricate as any I've seen on a Conn. The lacquer is about 60% but there's some corrosion/pitting, so I'll probably strip the lacquer and do some buffing (by hand around the engraving--should keep me occupied for the next 6 months!)

Anyway, I thought the engraving was worth posting. If anybody else has seen a Conn that looks like this that isn't a NY Symphony Special I'd love to hear about it. The serial on this one is 3018xx. No model number stamped on the receiver (I'm thinking it probably was a replacement receiver).

Mine also has no stamping on the reciever, and I have seen the ones with the stamping. I own the exact same horn, I paid $80 for it at an estate sale. I re-aligned the valves, put a nice little patch-up on the leadpipe, and wham! Great horn.

Where are all these estate sales with the great vintage trumpets??? I went to one once where there was supposed to be "an old trumpet." I asked the guy at the door where it was and he points to a trombone. I walked away muttering in disgust and it was a minute or so before the rimless bell hit me and I took another look. It was a Conn 44H Vocabell from the mid 30s with a perfect Pan engraving. I bought it for $91 bucks and traded it for for a Bach Strad cornet and a couple of lesser horns. That's the closest I've ever come to finding a pawn shop/estate sale/yard sale treasure.

It looks like a Special to my untrained eye. Neat horn!

Well it certainly looks like a special, any idea what year it is? I have a 22b NY symphony standard and the engraving doesn't run the full length of the bell....

Mine also has no stamping on the reciever,

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..and thanks for letting me know about the receiver with no stamp. According to the Conn Loyalist, Conn started making them in 1934. Mine is from 1935. Wonder if they left the stamp off the early ones. Can you tell me the year or serial number on yours? Was yours from the early mid 30s?

Mine is from 1935 as well. I couldn't tell you the serial number offhand, it's currently in Buffalo, NY, and I'm in Hartford, CT for the time being. I am positive that it is a '35, though

Nice horn! Mine is also from 1935. Here it is with its baby brother, a Victor special from 1937:



Dave Brewer

Wow, that 38A Victor Special is awesome. First time I've seen one. I didn't realize there was a cornet brother to the NY Symphony Special. Thanks for posting the pictures.

Originally Posted by tbaldrid

Wow, that 38A Victor Special is awesome. First time I've seen one. I didn't realize there was a cornet brother to the NY Symphony Special. Thanks for posting the pictures.

You're welcome! I think the engraving on your NY Symphony Special is sharper than on mine. Mine looks like it was relacquered at some point. Also, I don't have the New York Symphony Special engraved on my receiver either, although it's on my 38A receiver.

Dave Brewer