Conn Soprano on eBay

[SuiZen]

I have an interest in Conn soprano saxes. I don't a soprano yet, but I do have a 1929 Conn alto which I like a lot.

Anyway, this Con on eBay looked nice, and the photos are clear.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16203&item=2513575 750&rd=1

I wanted to see what the left pinky keys looked like, and was disappointed that they weren't shown. Then I realized that none of the keys are shown in the photos. I wonder why not :?: If I were a serious buyer, I'd ask the seller if they could provide at least one photo of the keys.

Bill

[Dave Dolson]

SuiZen: Nice lookin' horn, alright. I'd wager the left pinky table is similar to every other vintage soprano (which should not be an issue for someone who wants a vintage horn). The thing I liked about this horn was the design of the palm keys - the forked style as opposed to being in-line like my old Conn. DAVE

[SuiZen]

Dave,

The palm keys (Bb, C, & E) look in-line. I'm not familiar with the difference between in-line and forked. Can you describe the difference, or refer me to a web site that has pictures?

Bill

[SuiZen]

I see the difference, after comparing my Conn with the one on eBay.

Bill

[Dave Dolson]

SuiZen: Maybe you've already answered your own question, but to clarify, I was commenting about the LEFT-hand palm keys (the high D, etc.). From what I know, "palm" keys are the left-hand set, not the right-hand "side" keys.

Anyway, the old Conn sops and Selmer MkVIs have the in-line style palm keys (the levers are in-line . . . and they open holes that are generally in-line on the tube) as opposed to the more modern forked design where the opened holes are in various locations around the tube. In MY opinion, the in-line keys are awful . . . I don't like them on my Conn sop and I did not like them on a MKVI I once owned (and was happy to sell years ago - one of the worst sops I'd ever owned).

After my tech bent those palm-levers downward a bit, removing them from being accidentally opened when playing other notes, my Conn plays good. I shy away from most high-note work on the Conn because of this key arrangement. DAVE