Info on Conn 6m?

JazZz · Info on Conn 6m?

Does anyone have a Conn 6m or 10m? I was wondering if anyone knows anything about them because besides the MKVI, I find these to be some of the most "in-demand" vintage sax's. I want this 6m from www.vintagesax.com, it says call for price, and if you have to ask for the price it's too expensive Sad

JPSaxMan

The Conn 6 and 10M horns were the great American horns made during the early to mid 1900's. Some favor them over Mark VI's due to the fact they supposedly sound 'jazzier', in other words brighter than some VI's. That looks like a nice 6M. If I had the money, I'd buy it. Cool

Bleeding_Gums_Murphy

No, it's actually not that expensive. VintageSax does that with almost all their horns (weird, i know). Anyway, i got the price list from them a while ago, and i think that one was only 2k-2.5k.

6M's are awesome, just overall really killer horns. Let me clarify this: jazzier does not mean brighter. It means more jazzy sounding. You'll know what I mean when you pick the horn up. You can play dark or bright on any of them, and it's still jazz.

example: phil barone rubber mouthpieces are among the gutsiest, jazziest mouthpieces on the planet, yet they play darker than most other pieces. Same thing w/ Links Why? that just goes to show, doesn't it?

-bleeding gums murphy

JazZz

Bleeding_Gums_Murphy

Yeah, i was saying 2k as in it's not like 4k (what the selmers and silver-sonics are going for Shocked

)

JazZz

ha, yea.. I did spend 3.5k on my selmer so I guess 2k for a good vintage isn't that bad

Bariman

I would say the Conns are very underpriced for their abilities overall. The Altos and baris had the most going for them, and are only outshinned on the market today by the Mk VIs, which can be outrageously overpriced. The 10m's were good, but never reached the level of it's lower and higher bretheren. Not to say they are still not phenominal players.

Bariman

Doc Frazier

Folks, you are forgetting that the 6M, 10M and 12M body tubes were also used for some of the stencil horns. I have a 6M and a Pan American alto and the only difference is the lack of rolled tone holes on the P/A. I have seen and played a Cavalier alto(6M stencil), Olympian bari (12M), Pan American tenor (10M- my first and only tenor). My Pan American Bb curved and straight sopranos both have rolled tone holes on the left hand and up. I have a Pan American curved C melody with rolled tone holes!

The stencil horns can be had for a lot less $$$ and have the same tonal quality of the more expensive horns. Yes, the tuner necks will work on the stencil horns (if you can find them!)

JazZz

What do the tuner necks actually do? They look cool, they are actually what started me on vintage horns because I saw this girl playing on some old horn and it had a tuner neck and I thought it was the coolest thing even though she had no idea what it did Rolling Eyes

Doc Frazier

The tuner neck actually made it possible to make adjustments without taking the horn out of your mouth. I have a tuner mouthpiece for my curved soprano that I love and at times I have to make adjustments because of a horn change in the middle of a gig and the sax has had time to cool down.

CMelodyMan

Doc, is there anyway to get an old micro tuner neck that'll fit on a modern sax? All you have to do is take it to the repairman and have him widen the neck right? Do you think a micro-tuner neck would sound ok on a modern sax?

Bariman

I couldn't agree more, Doc. It's kinda like clothing; some people assume because it's not 'name brand' that it's not as good, even when they are presented with proof to the contrary.

Dave: Wow, that would take a lot of tinkering. The technology/ engineering of the tuner might have to be redone or nearly totally fabricated to get a consistent pitch. It might be more trouble than it's worth, but if you give it a try, let us know!

Bariman

Doc Frazier

The first problem you will run into is the rarety of the tuner necks to start with. You'll find alot of horns missing the necks. The second is that there have been advances made in bore sizes and tapers. I doubt very seriously that even if the tenon was made to fit that the horn would play in tune.

Bariman

Indeed. There is more than just the length of the bore of a sax that produces a 'correct' note. Everything about a sax is there for a reason, and if you try to rig something comparitively alien to a horn, it probably won't work to the point of usability.

Bariman

Fred

When considering stencils to save money, don't forget to check out the post-Naked Lady 6m's and 10m's. These models starting in 1959-60 don't have the "sex appeal" of the earlier issues, and lack the RTH and tuner necks. But they are very good players and are often available in better condition than some of their earlier counterparts.

BTW - First post here!

Bariman

Good point, and Welcome!

Bariman

altosax4ever · YOu guys will kill for this....

My director picked up a Mark VI for... ull all get mad... $75

Bariman

Alto I presume? What condition was it in? Details would be nice...

Bariman

Fred

Another great option for a budget-minded Conn lover is the early 60's 6M/10M's with the newer engraving. They are not nearly as collectable as the naked ladies and lack a few of the earlier features, but they can be purchased in really nice condition for under $1000 . . . sometimes WAY under $1000. If these were the only 6M/10M models ever produced, I think they would compete pricewise with some other desirable vintage models. Since they follow the naked ladies, I think they are condidered the ugly duckling of the family. But they are still great saxes and even greater values.

furtherdefinitions

I have a Conn 6M Alto, with silver plate and a gold bell, from 1945. It was my father's horn when he was a pro. As far as I'm concerned, while the Mark VI has better ergonomics, the 6M kills it in pure sax tone. I have tried hundreds of Mark VI's, and my own personal bias aside, haven't heard one that can match my 6M.

It wouldn't hurt to ask about the price. I've emailed Gayle of vintagesax.com and asked for prices plenty of times, and she's always responded quickly. Also, check out junkdude.com. He also has 6M's available, and he often lists the prices.

They are among the great hons of all time. I'm glad that more players have finally discovered this. It just seemed these great horns were being overlooked in favor of Mark VI's because people were just doing it because everyone else was using a Mark VI. Some people go for a Mark VI automatically without ever trying the other great vintage horns, some of which I feel have a superior sound to the Mark VI. Just my opinion of course, but an opinion borne out of experience.

Info on Conn 6m?

YOu guys will kill for this....