Help with old Conn. . . Identification.

[conn88Hagmann]

C4E48CAE-1422-4AA8-9C0F-168826D54417.jpeg

Hi Guys.

I recently sold a 2B to a fellow trombone lover and he had with him what I think is a Conn 48H. But I’m not expert on the vintage small conns so can you help me identify. . .

He is hoping to sell it.

Should it have a silver bell? Slide is amazing. So I think maybe it’s been fettled?

Any help grateful received.

C4E48CAE-1422-4AA8-9C0F-168826D54417.jpeg

EB3EAEAD-A080-4558-BAE0-715805B0313D.jpeg

[conn88Hagmann]

6EA46AB2-7ED5-432E-A926-155FC9131CEE.jpeg

C1BBE955-30D5-451E-B8C9-F344FF6351A7.jpeg

EB23AA0B-8ED6-4D62-9ABF-A1CB6B0E23CA.jpeg

[hyperbolica]

That's a post-Elkhart 48h, right? Connstellation, nickel plated bell (not silver) , the braces match. Is it 500 bore? Small shank? Slide compatible with 6h? Lacks the Elkhart 48h gussets on the grip braces. Looks like a newer 48h model to me.

Fettled? Not familiar with that term. Looks stock to me. Post Elkhart. Nice shape. Worth maybe $1000 tops in the US. Would be more if it were Elkhart. Maybe late 70s or early 80s, but the serial number would determine that.

Plays like the Dickens. I had one once. They are nice horns, the only difference between that and an Elkhart 48h are the USA engraving and the lack of gussets at the grip end of the main bell brace and slide brace. And of course the serial number.

[Posaunus]

It appears that this is a genuine Abilene-made Conn 48H Connstellation. As hyperbolica notes, the silver-colored bell is actually nickel-plated over (perhaps copper-plated) yellow brass. It is not really surprising that the slide is in fine fettle. I have played many older Conn slides that are in great condition, with no visible signs of wear, and perform excellently. I wonder if the legendary "Conn wear" is really a result of misaligned or otherwise poorly maintained slides?

I am curious about the serial number, visible in the second photo, which appears to be GD8700... According to the Conn Loyalist serial number list, the 1978 Abilene Conns had serial numbers starting at GA800000. I don't know where the GD prefix came from. The 48H was made through perhaps 1983, and then dropped.

In any case, this trombone looks great, and should be purchased and played!

[MrHCinDE]

Nice!

The D in the serial refers to April (GA = Jan, GB= Feb), April 1978 looks right to me.

https://www.horn-u-copia.net/serial/Connlist.html

[hornbuilder]

I wonder if the legendary "Conn wear" is really a result of misaligned or otherwise poorly maintained slides?

Yes.

[conn88Hagmann]

I believe it is 500 bore. I’ve neglected to take photo of the 4, with an unclear second number. But I guessed 48

[Northernigel]

I also own an Abilene-stamped Conn 48H Connstellation. I guess the bell was made in Elkhart and shipped as part of the move to Abilene. My thinking is that the orginal Elkhart brace was removed from the horn when I found it in a brass band store room and replaced (by a butcher).
https://photos.app.goo.gl/R9grqXBVH7ZNWA968
The slide serial number is also a mystery??970118
I think the first Letter is a G
https://photos.app.goo.gl/15WhspKKMRdC5X6eA