Original Nickel Plate C.G. Conn Conn-O-Sax, serial number 219379. This is quite possibly the most legendary, most sought-after among collectors, and rarest member of the saxophone family. It is also one of the most colossal failures (at the time) ever produced by the usually sure-fire Conn company. It is a truly unique instrument!
The Conn-O-Sax is a very cool horn. Conn really thought they were on to something with this instrument. Keyed in F, it features extended keywork from low A to high G, and Conn thought it was finally the way to introduce the saxophone to the standard orchestral setting. Since you don’t see them in orchestras anywhere, you can guess it was a huge mistake in judgment, though of course, the Great Depression didn't help matters. They didn’t sell, and today it is one of the most hard to find saxophones. Nearly all of them still in existence, which are few, are in private collections or museums.
This instrument was first repadded in the 1980's using original style Conn Resopads with flat metal resonators. The second overhaul was completed by Saxquest using white roo pads, all new felts, corks and a pro level key regulation.
This saxophone was built during the same period of the New Wonders and at the height of the Conn experimental laboratories. Its key work includes the Conn style finger nail file G# key, trill G# key, set screws and rolled tone holes. The coolest thing about the Conn-O-Sax’s key work is that it includes a low A, high F# and high G (all keyed in the palm keys).
It is a shame this instrument didn’t realize the fame and popularity Conn envisioned, because they really are fun to play! All of the keywork is the same as a regular saxophone, and being in the key of F it is just slightly smaller than an alto (though completely straight without a curved bell). Sonically, it has almost a snake-charmer-esque sound, very sweet and melodic, sort of an alto sax meets an English Horn kind of thing. It has the same kind of fast response and effortless play than you expect from a Conn sax of this time period.
Manufacturer: | C.G. CONN |
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Model: | Conn-O-Sax |
Date Manufactured: | 1928 |
Serial: | 219379 |
Contributed By: | www.saxquest.com |