Description: 1921 Conn New Wonder 80A professional cornet with original case and all original accessories, silver plated with heavy gold trim, excellent player, near mint condition. Ultrasonic cleaned, ports precisely vertically aligned using new premium Valentino quiet pads, new valve springs and water valve corks. I noted that the valve guides are numbered to each valve and the lateral port alignment is excellent, indicating selection or adjustment at time of manufacture. All slides are free and easy to move, yet seal well. The micro-tuner mechanism that operates the vertical tuning slide with a dial is functional but a little stiff due to slide repair at some point. It works across its entire range, one photo shows it closed. There is a resounding pop when any slide 1 thru 3 is removed quickly. There is some expected valve plating wear but the horn seals well and plays efficiently with Hetman’s number 3. This horn and its outfit are absolutely gig or collection ready! Dual bore, main tuning slide is .468 at top and .484 at bottom, remainder of horn is big bore .484. Valves are adjustable for spring tension via screw adjustments in the bottom of the valve stems, a unique feature on 1920s upscale Conn instruments. The bell is of a special material, likely French Brass as indicated by the * symbol on the second valve casing. The horn is very free and easy to blow, intonation is superb from pedal tones up through Hi C, my upper range. The tone is all cornet, very sonorous and with an easy high register. It can be almost flugel-like with a deep cup mouthpiece, or much brighter and potentially a great lead horn with a smaller cup like my Holton 9C. It is clearer and more complex sounding than my 1960 Conn Victor 80A, likely due to the bell material and quality of construction. Conn’s best years for quality were said to be in the early to mid ‘20s. Valves are quick with excellent action. This horn is a true joy to play! There are some “warts”, highlighted on a composite photo. The mouthpiece receiver looks to have been soldered poorly at some point and has marks. The 2nd tuning slide has been traumatized and perhaps patched. The tuning slide above the dial tuner has been repaired and much of the gold trim from one ferrule is buffed off. There are very small wear spots through the silver plating on the valve body at normal contact points. One of the "feet" buttons is missing from the case and the metal corner protector is folded over to almost level the case. Finally, the main tuning slide has a mark where the “mechanism” was apparently disconnected and removed. None of these issues affect playability. For 103 years old, this horn, case and accessories are in remarkably excellent condition. Without the “warts”, it would be virtually museum quality. Two vintage Conn gold plated mouthpieces, one of which appears to be the original New Wonder in very good condition, gold plated mute, case and all accessories are included. The “mechanism” that adjusts slides 1 and 3 when the main slide is moved from Bb to A position is present and functional except for the part that connects to the main tuning slide. Since it is not all present and has no function, I disconnected it to facilitate slide cleaning. The parts are included in a bag in the case, including all screws except whatever connected to the main tuning slide. There is a working case key and the lock functions correctly. Everything pictured is included. Pictures tell the story, ask any questions.
Price: 495 USD
Location: Mesa, Arizona
End Time: 2025-02-03T22:14:58.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Brand: C.G. Conn
Body Material: Silver
Instrument: Cornet
Key: Bb/A
