New short shank mouthpiece for Conn 36A

[abundrefo]

Hello,

My 36A cornet was built before 1958 so, according to Conn Loyalist, it needs a Conn short shank mouthpiece.

But I'd really like to know if there are any current mouthpiece makers that can take a special order and build mouthpieces for these older Conn cornets. I'd also like to carefully pick the rim and cup shape. So the original Conn short shank mouthpiece is not my first choice so far.

Even with a special order, it would help a lot if the maker already has all the specs and if he's already done this before.

I've seen somewhere that Mark Curry makes them but it's been two weeks and I'm still waiting for an answer to my email regarding this subject. Do you have any news about Mark Curry?

Do you suggest any other mouthpiece maker that builds these mouthpieces according to the correct specs?

Thanks!

[Richard III]

Subject line should be specific as my order:

Curry 7FLD on Conn cornet shank

People have gotten response when specific. Stuff like: hey, I was wondering, doesn't seem to get any response.

On a related topic. My pre-1958 Conn 80A takes all my Curry, Flip Oakes, Wick and GR mouthpieces with no problem. I don't get it either. They are all short shank MP's, sure, but try what you have first.
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Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

[SatchmoGillespie]

You have to be persistent and yes, short and to the point. Once I was able to get a hold of him, he had my piece to me in less than a week. I have a 1941 12A that required the short shank.
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Jim New S5 M and MS with C Backbore
Del Quadro Grizzly
Stomvi USA Bb
Getzen Severinsen
Kanstul 1525 Flugelhorn

[delano]

Curry makes a CSC shank for this (from the Curry website):

NEW!! Conn short cornet blank now available! Pre-1958 (serial numbers less than 700,00) Conn cornet afficianados can now order their favorite Curry cornet cup in the correct size for these popular cornets. At 2.5" long with the correct 60 thousandths/inch taper (and correct shank diameter) these vintage cornets speak easier with better intonation! Thanks to Rick Henrickson of NYC and Alan Hancock (UK) for their insightful help and research. For more, check out this informative link http://www.xs4all.nl/~cderksen/ConnArticle34.html.

Also you can order a special Conn short shank backbore by Jim New from Kanstul (Warburton thread).
He makes a copy of the pre-1958 Conn 4 bb (original of Christine Derksen, Conn loyalist).

I have a CSC 8.5BBC made by Curry, excellent mp (I use it on my 1942 80A) and the Kanstul made bb. The last one I use on my 36A as a practice instrument with my 4M- or Arturo-trumpetcups connected.

[RandyTX]

[abundrefo]

Mark Curry answered me.

He will make a VC cup/blank and adapt the shank so it fits 36A's slightly different taper.

I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

Thanks guys.

Thanks Mark!

[Richard III]

My VC fits perfectly. This is curious.
_________________
Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

[jadickson]

Austin Custom Brass makes a vintage Conn shank too, I think.

[delano]

For some reason "normal" short shank mouthpieces like the Wicks fit quite good in pre-1958 Conn cornets. Both my 80A and the 36A plays very good with a Wick4(B) and no wobbling!
I have a Curry 8.5VC but I don't use it, it's really a weird piece!
I prefer the DW above the VC. Soundswise they are close IMO, The VC being somewhat "lighter".
BTW the VC is short shank and fits just like the Wicks quite good in the old cornets. Intonation is as far my abilities go no problem with both the VC and the DW4.

[nieuwguyski]

Every modern cornet mouthpiece I ever tried, long or short, fit into my 1923 80A New Wonder without wobbling, and they generally played just fine.

I finally got around to measuring the gap a year or two ago, and the results were eye-opening. All the modern mouthpieces -- Wick, Bach, Schilke, others -- inserted so far as to result in a *negative* gap. That is to say, the end of the shank was past the beginning of the leadpipe. I can only assume that decades of having smaller shanks jammed into the receiver expanded the beginning of the leadpipe to accept the tip of the shank.

The two vintage Conn cornet pieces I have, a really old Wonder and a Precision 3, both have less insertion, resulting in a gap of about 0.10". I can't claim that they play a whole lot better than the modern mouthpieces, but I don't get along very well with their sharp rims.
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J. Notso Nieuwguyski

[delano]

Most pre-1958 Conn cornetreceivers are destroyed by using modern mp's with force.

[connicalman]

The many mouthpieces will ..fit.. yet the blow is so much better with the correct amount of shaft in the receiver.

Even the Conn mpcs, each a 4, give a different feel. The slightly shorter older bit has no ridge loop. It works much better than either the ridged 60's, same size, or the Connstellation brethren.
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kochaavim, csillaagkep, αστε��ισμός, konnstelacji, connstellation... ...a.k.a. the 28A!
Other Conns: Victor 5A & 38A, New Wonder & 80A; 'stella 38A; 36A; 'quest 76A...

[plp]

1958 was a grey area for shanks, apparently the years between 1958 to 1961 were a mixed bag of shanks for all brasswinds as far as mouthpiece receivers. I have a 1959 80-A that takes a modern shank and a 1961 28-A that takes a vintage shank. A friend that plays trombone has a similar situation, has an old 88-H and 12-H that do the same thing.
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Since all other motives—fame, money, power, even honor—are thrown out the window the moment I pick up that instrument..... I play because I love doing it, even when the results are disappointing. In short, I do it to do it.” Wayne Booth