Conn 1B Vintage One Series trumpet

Bixfan1927

I am planning to purchase a Conn 1B Vintage One Series Professional Bb trumpet, and I am wondering if anyone has any experience with this particular horn (opinions regarding sound quality, features, etc.). General reviews seem most positive. Bach and Yamaha have been recommended to me by professional players; however, my heart is set on the Conn Vintage One (the classic styling is wooing me).

razeontherock · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 3:49 pm Post subject:

It's a good horn. So are lots of others with classic styling. If your heart is set on that horn, shouldn't you be exploring the various options?

Arky · Regular Member Joined: 08 Dec 2014 Posts: 14

I have a V1 with a Sterling Silver bell that I bought new in 2002. Though it's now a backup horn to my Schilke B5, I don't have any complaints about the horn. Great tonal qualities, response, and intonation, and it really lights up when pushed.
Fit and finish were pretty good overall, though the receiver seemed to be set a bit shallow as my mouthpieces would bottom out against the leadpipe. I had this repaired and have had no problems since. Switching out the "D"-shaped tuning slide with the round one that was provided really makes it feel like a totally different horn.....much more open.
It was my primary player for for 12 years and I still love the horn....the B5 just "fit" me a little better.

shmo_joe · Veteran Member Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

I regret selling my sterling silver bell conn V1
these are great horns

deleted_user_680e93b · New Member Joined: 03 Apr 1996 Posts: 0

deleted_user_680e93b · New Member Joined: 03 Apr 1996 Posts: 0

kehaulani · Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 8:41 am Post subject:

FWIW, I don't play it, but just to add to the list of endorsees, I was on a concert (big band) with a guest trumpet soloist who played a Conn 1 and it was the kind of horn he had been waiting for. He loved it.
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derekthor · Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 8:48 am Post subject:

I used to own a gold-plated V1, but sold it about a year ago to help pay for school. I miss that horn. It was well built, played in tune with a great sound, felt great to play, and could be used on any type of gig.

Tpt_Guy · Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:11 am Post subject:

Bixfan1927 · Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 10:38 am Post subject: Conn Vintage One

Thanks to all of you for sharing your input on the Conn Vintage One. If I do purchase it, I will be getting the one with the sterling silver bell and gold trim. I love the color options available for this horn--sweet!
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andybharms · Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 11:57 am Post subject:

I played one for some time. In theory it is quite nice. There were some real fit and finish problems. A colleague who played one had a brace pop off for no apparent reason, mine had done funny plating problems. And I've only ever been able to get the sound in my head from the 37-style Bachs and others, so that is what I stick to now.
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fhoward23 · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2021 10:03 am Post subject: Vintage One shallow receiver

GeorgeB · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2021 11:01 am Post subject:

I own the 1-BR-46 model from the year it was introduced ( 1999 ) while Fred Powell was still with Conn. Fred apparently played a large role in the design and launch of the V! and worked with some pro players to get their feedback. After he left Conn I understand the quality in build of the V1 went downhill.

I love mine, and like someone else noted, you can do a lot with it if you use the right mouthpiece. I have always had a warm tone but when I play the V1 the sound is darker than any of my other horns.
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GeorgeB
1960s King Super 20 Silversonic
2016 Manchester Brass Custom
1938-39 Olds Recording
1942 Buescher 400 Bb trumpet
1952 Selmer Paris 21 B
1999 Conn Vintage One B flat trumpet
2020 Getzen 490 Bb
1962 Conn Victor 5A cornet

Brassnose · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2021 8:05 pm Post subject:

Just before COVID hit, I spent a nice day testing trumpets and the winners of the day were two Bachs 43 and LR43 along with a V1 in all brass. The sound of the V1 was notably broader than the Bach sound and it was a great horn overall. I didn’t really have the money but the horn is up there with the best horns I played. Also really liked the sound difference compared to the Bach and would have no problem to use it in big band but also classical or church. Great horn.
_________________
2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance, Frate, Klier

gregplo · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 4:12 am Post subject:

Many years ago, I got to talk with the regional Conn-Selmer rep about wanting to try a Conn Vintage One. He said he'd reach out to me if there were any in the area. a few weeks later, he called me and said there was a demo available at a Music & Arts store in Burlington, NC. It had been played by none other than the great Jens Lindemann when he filled in for a member of the Boston Brass at UNC-Greensboro back when they were playing Conn instruments. It was a 1BRGP-46 (if I remember correctly), and according to the Conn Rep, was hand chosen by Fred Powell for this gig. After the gig, the Conn rep delivered it over to the Music & Arts store in the Burlington, NC area to sell. I took a day off from work and drove up to give it a try. I got to play a number of Xenos and Strads against the V1. I walked out of the store with that V1...it out played everything in the store. It was a great playing horn, but I got talked into selling it so I could "blend better" with a group I was playing with at the time. Bad move. I kicked myself everyday for years wishing I had kept that horn.

Fast forward to last year, and I saw a 1BSGP-46 (Gold Plated with Sterling Bell) for sale at a very good price and jumped on it. It turned out to be in mint condition, and there are no build quality issues. I didn't expect it to play as well as the hand picked horn I had previously, but was taken by surprise when I blew the first notes. It plays every bit as nicely as the previous horn...and the Sterling Bell even adds a little extra. It can play fairly dark, but takes on a nice edge when pushed. To be honest, I did get to play a couple of Vintage Ones that were not stellar, but they were still all good horns. This one will NOT get away from me...
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Brassnose · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 5:11 am Post subject:

Yeah, I always wanted to compare a brass bell, a gold brass bell, and a sterling bell V1. Would be nice but they’re hard to come by at the same time w/o buying all three.
_________________
2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance, Frate, Klier