Help! Need some insight on this Connstellation

[CrossmenSoprano]

[Tarh331_Dad]

Well the 37 mandrel in 0.459 is the POLAR OPPOSITE of the Conn horns in 0.438, like the big bell [5&1/8"] Connstellation.

Here's Christine on Bore Size:

http://cderksen.home.xs4all.nl/ConnBoreSizes.html

But even if you get away from Bore Size, just the mandrels on the old Conns sound totally different from the mandrels on the Bachs.

For instance, I maintain that this is the best that Horn Trader ever sounded:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckqT2nrjz-M

In that video, Horn Trader is playing an old 2B New World Symphony, which is in 0.459 [like most Bachs], but something about the mandrel [and the horn innards?] makes it sound completely different from any Bach that I've ever heard.

[CrossmenSoprano]

[Tarh331_Dad]

[CrossmenSoprano]

As for mandrel I understand what you're saying. Intellectual property at its best I guess?

I have seen the comparator before and will need to do some homework before I go to Dillons on a mpc hunt. So many options. I played a Bach 1-1/4C forever but it's a bit much for me now. Been bouncing back and forth with a Bach 3C and a BlackHill 7es. The Conn came with an OLD Bach 10-1/2C tucked deep in the case. It's an interesting piece and will give it a good workout to see if that rim size feels better.

[Tarh331_Dad]

On the mouthpiece front, there are just about infinitely many possibilities nowadays.

Before doing anything else, I'd search the Marketplace here at TH to see if anyone is offering anything that interests you.

Also, board Member Trent Austin, of Austin Custom Brass, is a HUGE Conn fanatic, and he's designing all sorts of mouthpieces now, and he might be the best guy to get in touch with for a very knowledgeable opinion about matching a quality mouthpiece to that Connstellation.

Trent Austin
http://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=1356

Trent really knows his stuff - from vintage all the way through to cutting edge - right now, he's working very closely with Adams, out of Holland, producing new designs in bores like 0.438, which [to a certain extent] try to pay homage to the old Conn sound.

Adams Wind Instruments
http://www.adams-music.com/shop/?m=BLAASINSTR

[CrossmenSoprano]

[Tarh331_Dad]

That is so awesome - your wife is definitely "A Keeper".

Hey, I thought of one other resource:

Player/horn combinations
http://abel.hive.no/trompet/playerhorn/

It tells you who was playing which horn and which mouthpiece at very roughly a certain point in time.

So that for instance the great Maynard recordings, on the Connstellation 38B [circa late 1950s/early 1960s], were probably recorded on vintage Callichio or Holton or Giardenelli moutpieces.

And the great Cat Anderson recordings, on the Connstellation 38B [circa 1960s], were probably on some custom Charlie Allen mouthpieces, which were essentially solid brass cabinet knobs with tiny little airhole cylinders drilled through them:

http://abel.hive.no/trumpet/cat_anderson/

I have only ever seen Charlie Allen mouthpieces for sale once, about a year ago, on eBay, and the guy wanted like $250 each for them.

Which is typical of the great vintage mouthpieces - like the Al Cass [Milford, MA] mouthpieces or the vintage JetTone mouthpieces [which Maynard was playing on in the 1970s] - they always bring top dollar.

[CrossmenSoprano]

[Tarh331_Dad]

If you click on the link above, the guy talks about it in great detail. There are persistent rumors that Cat always placed a handkerchief over his horn when, say, he needed to excuse himself and head to the men's room, so that none of his fellow players could glance at the shape of the super-secret proprietary Charlie Allen/Cat Anderson recipe for those mouthpieces.

[connicalman]

[quote="Tarh331_Dad"]Dude: You just purchased the greatest trumpet evah.

And it was on your wife's recommendation? Because her ear is so good that she could hear the difference?

You are one very, very lucky man.

Count your blessings.

PS: 30 years ago would have been circa 1985? Conn's last year in Elkhart was in 1970, and the brand has been wandering in the wilderness ever since - moving down to Abilene TX and maybe back to Elkhart briefly and then on to Eastlake OH...

quote]

There's a something of a 'je ne sais quois' positive quality to the Conn 0.438 bore. My 28A, Victor, and Connquest all have it. I'm no pro, but here's the evidence: a. The neighbor's dog barks, circles, then lays down quiet when I'm on the Connstellation. b. Their own brochure from '63 says the 12B has "extra trumpet brightness", which it does. I call it a liveliness, not a jumpiness or an edge, and c. even the humble 77B got my teacher scratching his head - in a good way - at the sound it spread (Wick 4B mpc). Plus, in keeping with the OP, the gf calls down to the basement: "I like that piece" when I'm on that old worn C249xx Connquest, regardless of mpc.

CONNgrats on you and yours!
_________________
kochaavim, csillaagkep, αστερρισμός, konnstelacji, connstellation... ...a.k.a. the 28A!
Other Conns: Victor 5A & 38A, New Wonder & 80A; 'stella 38A; 36A; 'quest 76A...

[CrossmenSoprano]

[CrossmenSoprano]

[quote="connicalman"]