Tech/maintenance Conn "Chuberry" alto sax

[jbtsax]

I don't very often post about saxophones that come across my bench, but this Conn New Wonder II (Chu Berry) is an exception. A customer found it in an attic and brought it to me to see what needed to be done so she could sell it. I put my light in it and every original Reso pad sealed perfectly! It was very tarnished and clearly needed an "oil change" so I told her I could do a C.O.A. with a polish for $200. With my compulsive attention to detail the time spent far exceeded the price I quoted, but it was a pleasure working on such a well kept vintage horn. Three of the reso pads were starting to tear at the metal ring and had to be replaced. I ordered the closest sizes from Ferree's and none of them fit. I ended up using my stock Music Medic pads while keeping the Conn flat resos. Nearly 95% of the original silver plate was intact. I did however touch up the thumb hook and a couple of wire key guards with my brush plating equipment. Here are a few of the photos I took.

 

[Stephen Howard]

Do you ever 'rebuild' reso pads? I tend to do that simply because it's hard to find decent reso pads. I tear the pad apart, put a new felt core in and then a fresh skin of leather. I cheat a little in that I use a card backing and glue the leather in place (rather than stitch it).

 

[jbtsax]

Do you ever 'rebuild' reso pads? I tend to do that simply because it's hard to find decent reso pads. I tear the pad apart, put a new felt core in and then a fresh skin of leather. I cheat a little in that I use a card backing and glue the leather in place (rather than stitch it).

My hat's off to you if you can do that. I have tried replacing the leather on traditional pads and the gluing part was beyond my abilities.

 

[Stephen Howard]

Do you have a set of pad dies?
They're nothing special, just a piece of wood/plastic with a recess the diameter of the pad cut into them to a depth of about 5mm - and then a hole bored through to accommodative a reflector (if fitted)
Place the leather in the die, push the felt in, top with a piece of card, apply glue around the edge of the card and the leather, then work the leather against the card with a suitable tool.
It's pretty easy, though there's a bit of a knack to getting the glue just right. You need to be able to scrunch the leather up and have it stay more or less in place and yet still be able to move it around while you tighten the skin.

Spirit gum was the traditional glue to use, but it's hard to find these days...and incredibly messy to work with.

 

[GCinCT]

Thank you so much for sharing! That is a gorgeous horn. Even the case looks great. Nice job!

 

[jbtsax]

Thank you so much for sharing! That is a gorgeous horn. Even the case looks great. Nice job!

The case doesn't even smell! That's a first for me.

 

[Jeanette]

Lovely looking horn.


Jx

 

[MarkSax]

Beautiful horn. How much do you think it could sell for?

 

[jbtsax]

Beautiful horn. How much do you think it could sell for?

Maybe $900 tops on Ebay?

 

[Colin the Bear]

Oh no! I'm lusting after a conn now.

 

[turf3]

Oh, I think that would go for well over $900. While these don't have the demand of the tenors, I don't think they are the unknown secret they were 20 or 40 years ago.

 

[squeak]

Does this mean that all but three pads are the original from 1928? Or from a prior repad? How long ago?

 

[JayeNM]

Oh, I think that would go for well over $900. While these don't have the demand of the tenors, I don't think they are the unknown secret they were 20 or 40 years ago.

Actually, their prices were higher around 2007-2010 or so...after that their market values started going down. Back in '08 a freshly overhauled one with good plating could fetch $1300 regularly.

$900 is a reasonable expectation...you might be able to get $1100 on a good day.
I think the fact that the pads are mostly still original and functioning...while very, very cool...isn't going to be a plus in the market value category.

Mind yu if they are truly still functioning fine I also would not have replaced them.

Quite a time capsule horn ! Thanks for sharing.

 

[jbtsax]

Does this mean that all but three pads are the original from 1928? Or from a prior repad? How long ago?

That is my guess. They all had the name Conn on the back.

Actually, their prices were higher around 2007-2010 or so...after that their market values started going down. Back in '08 a freshly overhauled one with good plating could fetch $1300 regularly.

$900 is a reasonable expectation...you might be able to get $1100 on a good day.
I think the fact that the pads are mostly still original and functioning...while very, very cool...isn't going to be a plus in the market value category.

Mind yu if they are truly still functioning fine I also would not have replaced them.

Quite a time capsule horn ! Thanks for sharing.

I was hoping you would chime in with your background and experience valuing saxophones. It turns out that the customer changed her mind and accepted my offer of $500 to buy it from her, so what I can get above $700 will help to pay for my time doing the COA/polish.