your opinion on this Conn Constellation 38B from 1972

[stanislawlem]

Greetings everybody, I found this used trumpet online, hopefully I´ll be trying it next week, however and I wanted to know your opinion on its configuration, as in: does it look like like an original constellation from 1972? replaced bell? anything like that? I dont really know anything about old conns and any help would be much appreciated. Best regards. [/img] https://i.imgur.com/ij1eCEL.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/vpsMOkn.jpg




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[kehaulani]

That bell doesn't look right to me. Then again, you could have a 28B rather than a 38B. Could just be the pictures, but I hope you're not paying too much for it.
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[fabiopereirabr]

I don´t think the bell was replaced, It´s a non Elkart connstellation, brass bell and leadpipe.. you can find more info here:
https://cderksen.home.xs4all.nl/Conn38B1957image.html
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Fabio

[kehaulani]

I'm not saying that the bell was replaced, and it just may be my eyes, but the bell looks smaller than on my Connstellation.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

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[boog]

Looks like you have an "Abilene" 38b. The braces are correct for a 38b. The 36b's had smaller diameter braces. Now, the bell looks smaller than a 38b in the picture. Measure it and if it is a 5 1/8 inch bell, it is a 38b bell. The 36b's had 4 5/8 inch bells. If it IS a small diameter bell, it does not necessarily mean that it is not a 38b...those years at Abilene were kind of weird. It might have had the smaller bell and the bigger braces. Not a lot of information from that time period. The fact that it has a 1st valve trigger with a stop rod AND a stop rod on the 3rd slide makes it a 38b most likely. At any rate, it is a Texas-built horn, from the early 70's, (according to the bell engraving) and not as desirable as the Elkhart instruments, for several reasons. But, if you can get a good deal on it and it plays decently, go for it! It looks rough, so it would make a good "beater".

I really love my Connstellations! My 36b small bell model really records nice. It is my go-to horn for studio work. In addition, I have the 28A long cornet version, which is also a very nice sounding instrument with the "big" bell and the true cornet conical bore.

[HERMOKIWI]

I've never played an Abilene Connstellation. The Elkhart Connstellations were great horns and are the collectible versions. I don't know what changes, if any, were made in the horn after the move to Abilene. This particular example looks pretty rough in the photos. Whether it's a "buy" or not depends on the price for what you're getting. Elkhart Cnnstellations can be found in almost new condition for under $1,000. I would value the horn in the photos at $350 to $500 tops. As someone else said, it's sort of a beater.
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HERMOKIWI

[stanislawlem]

well thank you for sharing yout thoughts on this, like I said ill be checking this horn next week, btw this guy is asking $100 for it.

[F.E. Olds Nut]

For $100 I don’t think you can go wrong, even for an Abilene-built Conn
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[HERMOKIWI]

[bach_again]

$100!? Buy it!! Give it to a tech and have a backup Bb or potentially your main. While the Elkhart or Greenleaf Conn's are regarded as better, I've played a few USA's which were real players!

Best,
Mike
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