merriemelodies

Hi folks - I am not new here - you folks helped me out previously with some questions I had and darned if I can remember my username. Anyhow - I hate to bother anyone with this - but it has been a thistle to me for some time. In regard to Conn trumpets, I know there is a ton of information about them. However, my serial number is never listed - at least in concrete fashion. I have owned a Conn Director for several years, which is a 18B. My question is...the serial number is S45305; however, all the Conn lists do not show an "S" as a prefix for any of the serial numbers (at least that I can find). If someone knows the year of my old friend, I would appreciate it. Also - has anyone ever heard of a trumpet brand named U.S. Bandmaster - made in Germany? Its looks to be a cheapie...but fairly old...I used some parts off of it for my Bohland and Fuchs.

Best,

Mike

lmf

Hi, Mike,

Try The Conn Loyalist

Try http://www.musictrader.com/serialnos.html


Best wishes,

Lloyd

merriemelodies

Thank you Lloyd for your response; I certainly appreciate you taking the time to forward on some links/thoughts. Unfortunately, I still can't seem to find a prefix "S" for my trumpet, which seems a bit odd for sure.

Mike

rowuk

Send an email to:

cderksen@xs4all.nl

this is the wonderful lady behind the Conn Loyalist. She should be able to point you in the right direction!

__________________
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

Dave Mickley

I know that back in the 60"s a V before or after the serial number meant that the horn did not pass finale inspection but was good enough for sale at a reduced price [cosmetic problem]. I have no idea what the S means. Dave

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formerly known as old geezer Dave
C7
Yam. 231 Fl. 15383
King Master Cornet 295628
Weril Cornet Lo 7535

Sturmbill

Hey, Mike!

Are you sure it is an "S" and not a poorly stamped "5"? If you think it could be a "5", then you are looking at a 1955-56 horn. Sometimes stamping dies wear out or are improperly struck and end up looking like something quite different. Jeep produced quite a few CJ-7 "Joops" towards the end of the American Motors era.

As for the U.S. Bandmaster, try looking at this site: www.horn-u-copia.net
He has quite a lot of information on off brand horns and manufacturers.

Good luck with your search!

Bill

__________________
A wise man once said "Learn to write your hurts in sand, and carve your blessings in stone."

merriemelodies

Hi Bill,

Well I tell you, I have certainly wondered that in the past; however, there is no question about it....it is a letter S. Luckily I have that number 5 in the serial number to compare it to - and it is clearly an S while the five is clearly a 5. But...I emailed the good lady at the Conn Loyalist - so maybe she will have a secret decoder ring that can help figure out the year. I am surprised I haven't bought one of those Joops - things I possess are usually much like this trumpet....they leave you scratching your head - there is never any clear information! Just like the U.S. Bandmaster.....I can't find a thing....but they must have existed...this one I have is number 4706....so someone made alot of trumpets with this brand name (it sounds nice anyways). I am sure there are more places for me to dig still though - and I thank you for replying with help.

Mike

djazz

It's not that complicated!

After Conn reached the 1 million serial number they started to add a letter to the front of the serial number. After they went all the way through they may have added two letters.

I collect Conn saxophones and trumpets. I have an 18B with an E in front of the serial number and I have seen saxophones with similar types of serial numbers. These are mostly made in the 1960s.

BTW, the earlier horns play better according to lore and players want horns with earlier serial numbers like 999xxx or earlier. Some guys will try horns up to about E999xxx. While my mediocre trumpet chops may find some of the later trumpets acceptable, my experienced saxophone chops find the later saxophones to be rather poor.

Dale.

Sturmbill

Mike,

I ran across another post on the other forum that might answer your question about the "S" serial number. Look at this and read the third reply down.

http://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/v...ic.php?t=71347

It came from Christine Derksen at the Conn Loyalist site (link above). It pretty much puts the "S" numbers in the '80s after Mr. henken bought Conn back from MacMillin (CCM).

Hope that helps a little!

Bill

__________________
A wise man once said "Learn to write your hurts in sand, and carve your blessings in stone."

Toobz

Sax players refer to the later Mexican built horn's as Mexiconn's. And while the dreaded Mexiconn's weren't very good, there were some pro quality stenciled horns made available during Daniel J Henkens years (1980 through 1985). These horns were labled DJH Modified.
Daniel J Henken Modified horns were from what I know of them , intermediate to Pro level horns made for Conn by various makers. The saxes were built by Keilwerth, and these models are exceptional instruments. I used to own a Conn 108m DJH Modified alto, and it was one of the finest alto's I have ever played. I sure miss that horn. I'm still on the lookout to find me another one !