Pan American Bari by Conn

[Paulo]

Hi! Can anybody establish the date my Pan American Bari Sax was made?

Here is the serial number : 49,xxx

Any comments on this old bari by Conn especially in comparison with modern student bari saxes?

How much is the current value of playing condition vintage pan-am bari?

[DavidW]

Does it have the octave pip on the side of the neck (requires the neck to be in a fixed position)? Does it go up to Eb or F?

[EsbSpecial]

There is one of those in absolutely horrid adjustment at one of the local music shops near me. I was hoping that the price would go down enough so that I could justify making the purchase and then putting in the extra work.

Do they sound like the old Conns or a weak simile thereof?

[SearjeantSax]

panam serial numbers did not follow the conn pattern and seem to have been relatively random, so its not worth tracing that,
It is most likely a panam chu berry or new wonder II

these are identical to the conns of the same vintage except no rolled tone holes and some changed keys, other wise the body is the same as the conn.

these are pro horns which take a bit of adjusting to. if you are a beginner then it is probably not the best thing to use, but these have an awesome sound.

in terms of value, perhaps $500 to $800? panams are not worth much compared to conns.

[BlueTrane2028]

If it's in top playing shape, keyed to front F and not dented up, it can go north of $1,000.

[SAXISMYAXE]

They weren't really marketed as pro horns (meant as a student to intermediate horn for the then newly burgeoning marching band/school market), but are a very suitable and lower priced alternative to Conn's truly pro line of the same era.

As mentioned, the keywork is usually a throwback to earlier models such as the New Wonder I/II, but the core sound is still there.

Usually very nice sounding, good playing, well built horns for the money.

[xax]

I have a 48M Pan American Bari (ser# 54XXX) that was played professionally for years(not by me). I don't have a 12M or a Chu tranny (essentially the same horn) so i can't compare the sound absolutely but i can say that this P-A sounds "other wordly good" to my ears.

As noted, the major difference is in the keywork...in particular most P-As have no front F and the pinky Bb does not have the extension so it is a long reach. That said, the more you play it, the less problematic it becomes. Like Conns in general, it has a fast, light action but be aware that it's not the modern "Selmer-style" keywork. Also, note that front F and Bb keys can be retrofitted.

I paid $500 or so a coupla years ago and I agree that the range is about $400-$1000 depending upon condition. I'd guess the older ones are likely to sound the best and the later ones are more likely to have the better keywork but that's purely speculation on my part. IMO, as a piece saxophone machinery, PAs are often undervalued. 8-)

[bandmommy]

I can't comment on the quality of Pan Am baris', but I do have a Pan Am tenor. It's a fantastic horn for the money. BUT, mine isn't truly a Conn.
Check your tone holes. Some Pan Americans' were built on Martin body tubes.
My tenor is one of these rareties.