Conn – Brass Foghorn

Continental Colonial Alto 1950

Brass Foghorn — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 18:37:59 +0000

The Continental Colonial Alto Saxophone is a vintage American-made “stencil” instrument, typically manufactured by C.G. Conn or its subsidiary Pan American. Produced primarily between the 1930s and 1950s, these saxophones are valued by collectors and players for offering a classic vintage tone at a more accessible price point than professional models like the Conn “Chu Berry”.

Key Identification & Origin

Manufacturer: Most Continental Colonial saxophones were manufactured by C.G. Conn in Elkhart, Indiana, often through their Pan American manufacturing subsidiary.
Model Types: They are commonly based on the Pan American 58M design. Some versions may also be stencils of the Conn Wonder II.
Production Era: Active production was prominent from roughly 1935 through the early 1950s.

Performance Characteristics

Sound Quality: These horns are noted for a warm, rich, and dark vintage tone. While they may have less “umph” than top-tier professional Conn models, they are highly regarded as a high-quality “step down” for those seeking a vintage sound without the professional price tag.
Build: They typically feature a brass body with either a gold lacquer or raw brass finish. Some models feature nickel key finishes and mother-of-pearl (MOP) key touches.
Suitability: These instruments are suitable for enthusiasts, collectors, or musicians looking for a distinctive vintage character.

Condition
We rate each horn’s condition. Any defects are noted here. Each criteria is on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being poor condition and 10 being perfect

Body (dents, deep scratches, etc.) – 9 small dent and dimples on bow, small dents in neck
Finish (lacquer, silver plate, paint, etc.) – 10 Raw brass, no lacquer
Previous repairs (soldered posts, dent work, etc.) – 10 none noted
Accessories (case, mouthpiece, etc.) – 6 Case has wear, very functional, tape on edges, wear on inside
Playability (leaks, sticky keys, etc.) – 10 Just rebuilt

1953 Pan American Alto

Brass Foghorn — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 22:03:02 +0000

Pan American alto saxophones are vintage American-made instruments manufactured by C.G. Conn in Elkhart, Indiana, primarily between the 1920s and 1950s. Often considered a “student” or intermediate-level “stencil” line of Conn, they are renowned for offering similar build quality and sound to professional Conn models (like the 6M or 10M) at a lower cost.

Key Characteristics and Features:

Manufacturer: Produced by C.G. Conn, often based on older, durable Conn designs.
Tone: Known for a full, loud, and classic American vintage sound.
Design: Generally, they lack features found on higher-end Conn models, such as rolled tone holes or “nail file” G# keys. Earlier models may have different keywork layouts, such as opposing bell keys (B and Bb on opposite sides).
Durability: Renowned for their rugged construction, making them durable “workhorse” horns.
Value: Often dubbed the “poor man’s” Conn, they offer excellent vintage value but may require a significant financial investment to fully overhaul, especially for older models from the 1920s.
Models: Later models, such as those from the 1950s, are sometimes referred to as 60M.

Pan American saxophones are highly rated by collectors and players looking for a vintage sound without the price tag of a top-tier professional horn.

Condition
We rate each horn’s condition. Any defects are noted here. Each criteria is on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being poor condition and 10 being perfect.

Body (dents, deep scratches, etc.) – 10 Perfect, no dents or deep scratches
Finish (lacquer, silver plate, paint, etc.) – 9 Some lacquer pitting
Previous repairs (soldered posts, dent work, etc.) – 10 None noted
Accessories (case, mouthpiece, etc.) – 9.5 Minimal wear on case
Playability (leaks, sticky keys, etc.) – 10

Conn 86M Tenor

Brass Foghorn — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 21:48:19 +0000

The Conn 86M tenor saxophone is a modern, intermediate-level instrument manufactured in the early 2000s under the “Conn International” brand. Unlike vintage professional models like the famous Conn 10M, the 86M is designed specifically for advanced beginners and intermediate players transitioning into a jazz-oriented sound.

Key Features and Specifications

Target Level: Intermediate.
Sound Profile: Known for a dark, rich, and full tone due to its larger bore design, which provides more depth than typically “bright” modern student saxophones.
Keywork: Includes a high F# key, a modern feature often absent from vintage Conn horns.
Build Quality: Features a standard lacquer finish and is noted for having even response throughout the full range of the instrument.
Accessories: Typically sold with a hard-shell case and a precision tenor mouthpiece.

As this model is no longer in active production, it is primarily available on the used market through platforms like Reverb and specialized woodwind retailers.

Condition Considerations: Buyers should look for listings that mention recent inspections or adjustments by technicians, as pads and seals on these early-2000s models may require maintenance.

Condition 9.5
We rate each horn’s condition. Any defects are noted here. Each criteria is on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being poor condition and 10 being perfect.

Body (dents, deep scratches, etc.) – 9.5 very small dimples on the bow.
Finish (lacquer, silver plate, paint, etc.) – 9.5 some wear near thumb hook and small scratches throughout.
Previous repairs (soldered posts, dent work, etc.) – 10 none noted
Accessories (case, mouthpiece, etc.) – 9
Playability (leaks, sticky keys, etc.) – 10