1921 Conn Alto needs complete overhaul...

Last night I learned that a friend has had her grandfather's Conn alto laying about in disrepair for quite a while. She had looked into getting it fixed up but didn't feel like spending what people were asking. So I volunteered to see what I could do with it, and (after some joking about getting it back to her in about 3 years) it came home with me! It silver plated, S/N 80798 (with a C above the number and an L below), which appears to date it 1921. It looks just like this one: www.saxpics.com/cpg143/thumbnails.php?album=570 except it's well-tarnished and *all* the pads are shot. The case is in sad shape and smells downright toxic with mold. On the plus side, I haven't been able to find a single dent, all the mechanical parts appear unbent, and the rollers on the pinkie keys are still intact. Many of the (rolled) tone holes have dead pad crud stuck all around the rim, so I'm not too sure about how level they'll be. Given the good condition of the rest of the metal I have high hopes, though. All in all, I'm psyched to see what I can do for this baby. So other than stripping it of everything soft (pads, felt, cork), what's the first step on the road to recovery?

Reply To Post [Report Abuse]