Saxophones Conn 150th Anniversary Alto Saxophone

[PigSquealer]

Four pages on this... and it's an alto.
An alto...

….free blowing altos take more air. They probably tried to offset this issue with the mass neck screw. You know, a mass screw to reduce vibration and increase resistance 🤓

 

[jonf]

Connfidence trick.........

 

[PigSquealer]

Only 38 left.

No, could be 138. The advertising is Connflicting and Connfusing. 40 or 150 ?

 

[globoglobito]

So the Connsensus of this thread is that this sax is a Conncatenation of marketing spiel and that we all love puns right?

 

[PigSquealer]

Return of a familiar line, the Bundy III?

Most wouldn’t be able to afford that either. Married with children, most keep the old one going.

 

[scotsman]

🙂🙂 From google..


generative /jĕn′ər-ə-tĭv, -ə-rā″-/

adjective​

1. Having the ability to originate, produce, or procreate.
2. Of or relating to the production of offspring.
3. Relating to or produced by the rules of a generative grammar.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition • More at Wordnik

Regards..🙂🙂

 

[Targa]

So the Connsensus of this thread is that this sax is a Conncatenation of marketing spiel and that we all love puns right?

And Connvoluted Connversation.

 

[Tuppertn]

….free blowing altos take more air. They probably tried to offset this issue with the mass neck screw. You know, a mass screw to reduce vibration and increase resistance 🤓

Mass neck screw adds bulk to the BS. Bulk in your BS helps reduce connstipation.

 

[PigSquealer]

Mass neck screw adds bulk to the BS. Bulk in your BS helps reduce connstipation.

As a pig I can say everyone loves bulk. Love aside. Expelling GAS is the first step in relieving Connstipation. It’s a wind thing….

 

[Woodpad]

Connflagration....is my favorite

They think they are Conn Artists.

 

[thomsax]

Is the sax a "fake sax"? Are they doing something illegal? Why are we so upset?

Some old brands/makers are "un-touchable"! It was hard for me to stay neutral when parents bought a new Conn Director, back in the late 70's/early 80's, for more money compared to a YAS 61, "Corton DeLuxe" (a Yanigisawa A 5 stencil) .... even a B&S Blue Label for half the price blew the Conn into the corner.

If they are doing something illegal we should act.

 

[Pete Thomas]

If they are doing something illegal we should act.

I cannot see that they are doing anything illegal. So far all the discussion has been around the marketing and various features.

 

[jazzdoh]

Four pages on this... and it's an alto.
An alto...

Whats wrong with it being an alto, I love the alto, played mostly alto for the last 30 years, but I wouldn't buy this one at that price, it's probably $2000 overpriced, but if they sell I bet there will be a tenor on the way.

 

[Jimmymack]

I don’t know if this has been observed and I’ve missed it but if so I’ll say it again, the name is surely mean to be an acknowledgement, homage to or a nod to Charlie Parker. Maybe people just think it’s obvious. You can make what you like of that but I still think it’s naff.

 

[GCinCT]

I don’t know if this has been observed and I’ve missed it but if so I’ll say it again, the name is surely mean to be an acknowledgement, homage to or a nod to Charlie Parker. Maybe people just think it’s obvious. You can make what you like of that but I still think it’s naff.

That occurred to me, too. Among the many horns Bird played during his career was a Conn 6M. I have a photo of him playing one hanging in my office. Selmer did those Bird tribute horns in the '90s, so it does make sense.

 

[jonf]

Is the sax a "fake sax"? Are they doing something illegal? Why are we so upset?

Some old brands/makers are "un-touchable"! It was hard for me to stay neutral when parents bought a new Conn Director, back in the late 70's/early 80's, for more money compared to a YAS 61, "Corton DeLuxe" (a Yanigisawa A 5 stencil) .... even a B&S Blue Label for half the price blew the Conn into the corner.

If they are doing something illegal we should act.

Not upset and nothing illegal. What there is, though, is a very cynical marketing ploy to appeal to people that are nostalgic, by applying some branding and bling to what looks to be a very average sax, then selling it for a ridiculous price. This is in contrast to a company trying to make the best product it can, within the confines of its production costs. Just slapping on a logo harking back to another time, and then making a load of money on it is what's happening here. That it looks like it has been so badly done, from the quality of the finish, makes it all the more laughable. Nothing unlawful, but the sellers are getting, and deserve to get, in my view, ridiculed for a cynical and rather poorly executed marketing ploy.

I presume these are only being marketed in the USA, where people might be attracted to the 'Assembled in USA' claim?

 

[turf3]

I cannot see that they are doing anything illegal. So far all the doscussion has been around the marketing and various features.

The company selling this product owns the trademark. Nothing illegal here. For that matter, I'd state there's nothing unethical either. It's just a case of marketeering gone wild, but not anything more than that.

 

[jazzdoh]

I think it's biggest pull is that there is only 40 being made, there will always be someone who will buy for that reason only.
On Ebay at the moment is a Selmer Supreme Ltd edition which is No 1 of 641 but they are asking €100,000 so this would make these Conn's cheap, (of course they haven't sold the Selmer)
I still think this Conn is $2000 overpriced compare to similar horns.

 

[Ghr9204]

There is a different perspective given by @helen who knows the professional musicians who have played this horn and followed its development.

I thought @Jimmymack gave a good reply on engraving quality:

I guess engravers are rare these days and you have to take who you can get. They probably got better as they went along. I’m sure I saw the engraver’s name somewhere but I can’t find it now. Still, people have complained about the laser engraving on Selmers, at least here you have the unmistakable evidence of it being hand done.

Much today is now done by machine, so engraving has almost become a lost art.

A company would not go through all this effort to produce a substandard musical product.

I think some of the cynicism comes from what China produces today in the form of budget saxophones, some are actually quite good. 13 years ago, I purchased a Venus Chinese straight soprano and it actually plays as well as an intermediate. Recently I had it serviced by Tarpley Music of Lubbock, Texas for 65% of its original cost. I did not mind this, as I could have easily paid many times over for a listed brand. I looked at its actual value to me versus bottom line costs.

Throughout the forums there have been discussions on marketing materials, that "puffery" that exists even with all major brands. They are in their right to do it.

Personally, I think it good that newer saxes are being introduced and produced. It is now announced and hit dealer showroom floors. As time proceeds, we will receive more feedback.

Let's give it an even shake.

 

[JayeNM]

And Connvoluted Connversation.

...sending me into Connvulsions....