Saxophones Conn Naked Lady

[MD0483]

Sorry Prof if I confused this thread, I saw Naked Lady and assumed 10M, you will still be very pleased, I have a NW stencil which plays well and a community band that I know has numerous altos but the lady on the 6M gets the solos.

 

[ProfJames]

Thanks Major! I am not sure which one it is but I would presume a 6M. Can you let me know the difference please? I have bought this on a whim!

 

[DavidUK]

Here you go:

🙂

 

[ProfJames]

Thanks for doing the photos DavidUK. Yep! That is the lady! She doesn't look that bad does she?

Is it a 6M?

 

[MD0483]

Thanks for doing the photos DavidUK. Yep! That is the lady! She doesn't look that bad does she?

Is it a 6M?

The serial number would be the best way to identify it, I know little about the 6M's but no microtuner, no RTH and underslung neck should provide clues, all the 10M's (tenor in the Artist range) have it stamped near the serial, 6M's would probably be the same but there are much more knowledgeable members than I on this who I'm sure will contribute.

ps is the serial above 33xxxx that would put it around the 50's

 

[ProfJames]

She is such a beautiful sax that it deserves to be rescued anyway regardless of the model! Not sure of the serial number but will advise when she arrives at the end of the month.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Ha ha ha ha! It is an alto and a 6M - I think that is the model.

These can be great horns with a big fat spready kind of sound. This works well for me on tenor

If it needs an overhaul plus more as you say, it may not a great bargain, but still an OK price. IF it doesn't need much work then it would be a bargain.

 

[ProfJames]

Excellent thank you for your knowledge. Do you know what model it is? I am certain it needs re-padding and service.

 

[DavidUK]

If you want a dip-strip (is there any lacquer!?) to remove crud, and then a full polish, before it goes to Geoff (as my Grassi will be having) let me know? Around £80-100 all in. Grassi's due to go to the polisher next week so it may be back by the time you get the 6M. I'll post some polished pics then you can decide.

(Peter piper posts some pickled polished pictures?).

 

[ProfJames]

Good idea, will await your Grassi results and review your comments. There doesn't appear to be much lacquer left.

 

[DavidUK]

Good idea, will await your Grassi results and review your comments. There doesn't appear to be much lacquer left.

Looks good as it is actually. The staining round the back would come back again after polishing I guess?

 

[altissimo]

the keywork looks very 6M-ish - the left hand little finger cluster is certainly similar to mine... there were a lot of 'transitional' Conn's that have features of both the 6M and the New Wonder. The neck has an underslung octave key but no microtuner, which is no great loss. Yours doesn't seem to have as many tiny grub screws as mine, but they're the thing that repairers moan about the most...
there's more info here - http://www.saxpics.com/?v=mod&modID=45
The Nickel plated keywork and lack of microtuner and locking screws would indicate that it's probably from the mid to late 50's - the serial number will give you a more accurate date

The difference between a 6M and Comm II? Well, I've never played a Comm II alto, but I've got a 6M and a Martin Indiana and Medallist. Tonally, the Conn is clearer, purer and a bit brighter, but with a fat low end and if you know how to use your embouchure can go from a whisper to a roar, whereas Martins have that typical plummy lower midrange and a softer top end. My Conn is very responsive, it really gives out what you put into it, but as a result it's more revealing of your shortcomings. Whereas the Martins feel a little more relaxed and more forgiving of sloppy playing. A Martin will also roar and scream, but will always have that sweetness - the Conn can be as sweet or sour as you want it to be. The altissimo and multiphonic fingerings are different on the Conn, but it really has the edge over the Martins in that department.
If they were guitars, the Martin would be a vintage semi acoustic and the Conn a Les Paul Gold Top with P90's

The body tube on the Conn is noticeably narrower than my Martins, but I'm not sure what effect that has. The Conn's a bit fussy over mouthpieces, but it loves my Lawton BB, so modern mouthpieces will play on these things. I've tried vintage mouthpieces, but she's not amused...
Whoever designed the left hand little finger cluster on the 6M was a genius - every sax should be this way, far easier than that modern Yamaha design that's ubiquitous these days.
You may need some rubber palm key risers and the thumb hook is a bit uncomfortable, so a rubber thumb cushion is a good idea. Some folks have the strap ring moved to help it balance better, but it's not intolerable

hope you like your Conn as much as I like mine.... happy blowing!!!

 

[MD0483]

Whoever designed the left hand little finger cluster on the 6M was a genius - every sax should be this way, far easier than that modern Yamaha design that's ubiquitous these days.
You may need some rubber palm key risers and the thumb hook is a bit uncomfortable, so a rubber thumb cushion is a good idea. Some folks have the strap ring moved to help it balance better, but it's not intolerable

hope you like your Conn as much as I like mine.... happy blowing!!!

+1 - on the 10M left hand pinky cluster is great, and your comment on the palm risers and thumb hook spot on too, I may replace my thumb hook with an adjustable one.

 

[DavidUK]

Just looking into a Comm II "Lion & Crown" Alto, hence the question. £500 is steep for me but the sax is in good nick, serviced, and playing. But it won't be as easy/good as the Buffet 400, so it'd become yet another to sell on. Why do I bother? What am I after? Who knows..... it's pure GAS!!

Love to find a TH&C Buescher 400 too!

 

[ProfJames]

If you are not interested PM me the details please!! That is a keen price on a Lion & Crown. It would be a "keeper" for me!

 

[jbtsax]

Saxpics produced by Pete Hales has some good information about the early Conns The Conn Artist (Naked Lady)

 

[thomsax]

Conn 6M (50's?) vs Martin Comm II. Martin Comm II. I sold my Conn 6M -57 (straight toneholes, no microtuner) for some month ago. A good sax but not as good as the 6M from the 30's. When I compared the -57 to my "The Martin Alto" -57 Martin has a more modern voice. Martin did some changes and developments on the comm III models. Conn more or less gave up and continued to produce student horns as thier main thing. But they still produced some good saxes in the 60's.

 

[DavidUK]

Conn 6M (50's?) vs Martin Comm II. Martin Comm II. I sold my Conn 6M -57 (straight toneholes, no microtuner) for some month ago. A good sax but not as good as the 6M from the 30's. When I compared the -57 to my "The Martin Alto" -57 Martin has a more modern voice. Martin did some changes and developments on the comm III models. Conn more or less gave up and continued to produce student horns as thier main thing. But they still produced some good saxes in the 60's.

The Comm II "Lion & Crown" Alto I'm looking at is late 30's too.

 

[ProfJames]

I don't think the age matters with L&C Martins. They are just great!

 

[thomsax]

Martin Comm II was jsut manufactoried for some years from the late 30's to the early 40's. The are delicate: solid silvernickel keys, adjudtavle rh thumbrest, wellbuilt, fancy engraving, nice details, very special voce".... I think they cost quit a bit to produce? I have a Comm I -38 tenor that is almost a Comm II. The share the same neckdesign and the solid nickelsilver keys, adjustable rh thumbrest .. . Sometimes they shows up on internet for sale and they are a sold less money compared to the real Comm II. A real Comm II is stamped with "Martin Comm II" above the serialnumber. IMO they Martin Comm II are among the best saxes that ever been built.