TromboneChat

I have just agreed with the shop to buy what they named a Conn Union Label 5B.

According to the exchange that I had with them it seems to be +-100 years old, large bore compatible with modern pitch, in good playing condition.

Bell diameter is almost 23cm, throat seems to be larger than e.g. an 88h.

Hoping to receive it in 1-2 weeks, will certainly share some pictures!

Could be an interesting comparison also to the Heckel tenor that I have here.

I am somewhat hoping for a nice historical instrument that is special, but compatible with other American trombones.

https://www.magnamusic.nl/product/conn-union-label/

Cool!

I hope it turns out to be great in all aspects.

Post pics when you get it. From the website the horn seems to have been relacquered, or it is in a fabulous condition for being around 100 years old. To me, it also had a pretty modern apperance - whatever that really means.

How is it tuned?

Congrats of a great find.. I have a 1920 Conn « Symphony -large».. The bell taper are much bigger than a modern 8H (also slightly bigger than a Bach 45B bass),but still sounds very much like a tenor.I think that was the standard size at the time for the big Conn tenors/small bass .. Curious to hear the sound .

I have been told a few things:

It has been repaired/restored at some point and supposedly in very good playing shape, incl the slide. no idea if it has been relacquered at some point

It is in low pitch and "works at modern pitch". From experience it could be at the low end. We will see.

I really hope this turns out to be a good find!

Maybe I find the time to do a little comparison audio with one of my modern Conns and my historic Heckel.

MStarke wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 9:16 amIt is in low pitch and "works at modern pitch". From experience it could be at the low end. We will see.

Does it have any sort of tuning slide?

JohnL wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 9:23 am

MStarke wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 9:16 amIt is in low pitch and "works at modern pitch". From experience it could be at the low end. We will see.

Does it have any sort of tuning slide?

I do not think so. it looks a bit like the connector between slide and bell section allows some tuning, but again - surprise.

As long as it's not substantially too low I am pretty flexible in adjusting via the hand slide.

MStarke wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 11:36 am

JohnL wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 9:23 am
Does it have any sort of tuning slide?

I do not think so. it looks a bit like the connector between slide and bell section allows some tuning, but again - surprise.

It looks like it has oversleeves on the outer slide tubes. It's possible it's TIS and someone has removed the second and third braces, likely to lighten the handslide.

MStarke wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 11:36 am

JohnL wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 9:23 am
Does it have any sort of tuning slide?

I do not think so. it looks a bit like the connector between slide and bell section allows some tuning, but again - surprise.

As long as it's not substantially too low I am pretty flexible in adjusting via the hand slide.

I don't think so. I've never seen a Conn connector that wasn't tapered (so only one position it can fit), and if it were a cylindrical connection, there would have to be some sort of wingnut on there to hold it in place.

JohnL wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 1:08 pm

MStarke wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 11:36 am

I do not think so. it looks a bit like the connector between slide and bell section allows some tuning, but again - surprise.

I looks like it has oversleeves on the outer slide tubes. It's possible it's TIS and someone has removed the second and third braces, likely to lighten the handslide.

Or that's not the original slide for that bell.

brassmedic wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 1:36 pmOr that's not the original slide for that bell.

Hopefully not, but a definite possibility.

I also see something odd going on with the mouthpiece receiver. Looks like maybe an adapter? Years ago, I bought an Olds bass trombone that looked like it had a mouthpiece adapter stuck in it. Turned out to be the leadpipe, which stuck out roughly an inch beyond the receiver.

A lot can happen to an instrument over 100+ years of use.

Markus, I hope you'll post you initial impressions once you get your hands on it.

Lots of speculation here!

I have played quite a few trombones from that period that didn't have a tuning slide, so that wouldn't be a surprise.

The shop told me that a very very respected trombonist (won't put the name here, but some will know him) tried it and liked it.
Not too expensive, so the risk is okay if it turns out not to be too great.
Always difficult to get all the details from a shop in another country with some language barrier and not so great pictures. But as said the risk is limited.

Will keep you posted!

MStarke wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2024 3:37 pm

Lots of speculation here!

Well the speculation was on your part. I don't see how it could possibly tune at the slide tenon. I've seen such a setup, but always with a wingnut, and never on a conn trombone.

Unfortunately I had to hold this back last minute as something else came up that needs some substantial money. Maybe I will get back to this at a later point when it's still available or someone else picks it up and shares information?