Re: Conn Monster


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Posted by Rob P-M on May 29, 2002 at 08:09:59:

In Reply to: Conn Monster posted by Curious Beginner on May 29, 2002 at 07:53:22:

First thing you need to clarify is what you mean by a Conn "Monster"

In Conn catalogs from the 'teens and early 'twenties, the were both Eb and BBb horns designated as 'monster' size which were pretty much what we would now call 4/4 horns. Bells might be around 19-22", bores medium.

At that time, the 'standard' size of American basses was rather smaller than we would think of as standard or 4/4 today.

In that time period, the really large Conn basses were the Sousaphone Grand (38K --.734 bore, 24-26" bell) and the Grand Orchestra Symphony Bass (34/36K), a 4 valve front action horn in CC or BBb that had a bore bigger than .734 (.770?) and a 23" fixed upright bell. Later variantss of this horn had recording bells up to 26".

By early 1930's Conn catalogs no longer use the term 'monster'

In the mid-30's, the 2XJ series (20J, 21J, 22J, 23J, 24J, 25J, 26J, 27J(?)) was introduced with short action valves. The front bells on the 2XJ series were typically 23-24", upright bells 22". These horns are generally considered 6/4 today.


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