Any Conn 80A Players?

[markfreitas]

As a Brass Instrument Repair Tech, I've worked on hundreds of vintage and antique horns. I love bringing them back to life to be beautiful and playable again! My specialty quickly became trumpets, cornets and flugels, so by "default" I also became a collector. The Conn 80A "family" fascinated me, as did the great evolution of cornet designs. I ended up focusing on assembling a set of 8 cornets from the 80A family for our community band, which our Director was thrilled to accept (on loan) for several years. They (the horns) ranged in age from 1912 to 1946, but our players were 15-75! It became a great feature in our concerts to have the sound of cornets and trumpets as the music originally required, and a matched set as well. Most of our section enjoyed playing them, but a few just endured ;). We used Denis Wick 4B Classics and I loved the sound on the large .484 bore horns! As Principal, I'd also use a 3B for solo work. Were we the only band in the world with a matched set of 80A's? I'd like to hear from fellow 80A lovers!

Since moving to Vegas, I'm selling 5 of the set, with 2 more that could be ready soon. If you're a player or Director who'd love to have this set for your band, I'd make a special deal for you. Please let me know ASAP, otherwise I'll sell them separately. I'll be listing them on Marketplace, along with my Schilke E3L D/Eb trumpet and Benge 90C "Leonore" C trumpet.

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LA Benge 3x MLP
Benge 90C Leonore
Schilke E3L D/Eb
Schilke P5-4 picc
Yamaha 631 Flugel
Conn 80A cornets
York and Sons Professional Cornet w/shepherd's crook

[Ozzbo]

I am a delighted and proud 80A player !!!

Mine is a '38 vintage with the frosted silver finish, polished slides, gold wash bell and the "A" mechanism fully functional.

I was initially skeptical on how it would play due to it's massive .484 bore and lack of slide rings, but WOW ! The 80A proves to be surprisingly nimble in all registers with spot on intonation and a rich, buttery tone. All of this with the supplied Conn 4 cornet piece.

I've used it playing heavy lead in a big band as well as a solo performance at a funeral. Received multiple compliments on both and some tears on the later.

The 80As are sleepers in the cornet scene and can be found at bargain prices. Get a Conn 4 cornet mouthpiece if you can. This combination is a killer one !!!

Ozzy Cardona - NYC Freelance

[Andy Cooper]

Great horns - I always thought of them more as tuneable bell trumpets but they sound very nice with a Bach A cup - an M style cup and tighter backbore and you can play with the trumpets.

Oh - when discussing your trumpet section around non players - be sure to say that you have 5 Conn 80a's in your section rather than 5 ConnVics...

[cheiden]

I've got one that I'm still working at. It's an older model with the vintage shank so I can only use the Conn 4 that came with it. That mouthpiece sounds very nice but the rim disagrees with me. At some point I hope to order a custom mouthpiece. Then I'll need to invest in a new leadpipe, corks and pads. But in spite of all that it plays and sounds quite nice.
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"I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart

[Uberopa]

My 80A dates from 1947. I had it restored by Jason Harrelson and relacquered at Anderson's. I use a Pickett 3C and have tried other mouthpieces. These include a Wick Heritage 3B, FO3, FO3VC and a Curry3DC. I chose the Pickett because it squared the circle of sound, pitch, range and articulation of them all. Each had it's own strengths though.
I really enjoy the sound and power one can get. It's fun to watch the Bix Beiderbecke festivals on Youtube where lots of players use them but can sound quite different I like to use mine for early jazz and Oktoberfest gigs. Lots of power to cut through the noise with a superior sound.[/quote]

[bworth]

I have a 1946 and a 1947. I agree that the Conn 4 (older style) mouthpiece works/sounds best. I enjoy playing them, especially in a Dixieland band.

[A.N.A.Mendez]

Working on one with the nickel silver trim. I think they are rare, don't see a photo on the Conn loyalist site, just a mention. Nice horn....
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"There is no necessity for deadly strife" A. Lincoln 1860

☛ "No matter how cynical you get, it's never enough to keep up" Lily Tomlin☚

[kehaulani]

Conn 80A here, also, and with a Curry 5 VC mouthpiece. Love the sound.
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[Richard III]

Post your 80A photos. Here's mine:

[img]IMG_0946 by genevie7, on Flickr[/img]
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Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

[Dieter Z]

I also have a Conn 80A from 1947. I use it with a Curry BBC mouthpiece. Love the sound. Soundwise it's between my trumpet and Sovereign cornet.

I see you also have a Benge Leonore 90C. So do I. Not having any other c trumpets around here I wonder how it compares to other c trumpets.
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B & H Sovereign 928
Conn 80A
F. Besson Brevette Kanstul made
B&S Challenger II 3137 rl
Buescher 400 - 225 (WWII)
Benge 90C
Eastman 540 D/Eb
ACB Fluegelhorn
Selmer Picc
ACB mouthpieces for most of my playing

[markfreitas]

[giakara]

I have a minty 81A made in 1917 , the only issue is the leaking valves , I use very thick oil but I also plan to redone the valves , I love the opera glass mechanism and the tone of the horn and I use a pair of vintage Purviance 5*3 and 4*3 with very good results.

Regards
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Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2015
Lawler TL6-1A Bb 2004
Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2003
Getzen eterna 910 C
Getzen eterna 850 cornet
Selmer Paris 3 valve picc
Yamaha 731 flugel
Carol mini pocket
Reeves/Purviance mpcs