C Melody Saxophone Forum

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C Melody Saxophone Forum / Neck Straight versus Curved / Still Wanted: Conn Curved Neck

paulwl
User ID: 9272753 Aug 5th 8:43 PM
Still looking for a curved neck in lacquer or raw brass from a Conn or Conn-stencil C melody. I'll even buy a whole horn if reasonably priced. Email paulwl@cyburban.com.

WW2
User ID: 9510053 Sep 5th 12:37 PM
There is a guy in Germany that will make you one for about US$500. If you are interested, email me at wwalker@gte.net

Roger Aldridge
User ID: 0735934 Sep 5th 1:06 PM
Paul,

I can't help but wonder if Steve Goodson might have a curved neck somewhere in his boneyard. Have you checked with him?

paulwl
User ID: 9272753 Sep 11th 7:35 PM
No Rog, but it's a thought. I'll email him.

paulwl
User ID: 9272753 Sep 15th 7:46 PM
The search is over!! I scored a great looking lacquered Conn stencil C off eBay for $85. I may donate the body of the horn to science, or perhaps have a lavalamp or aquarium made from it. Any idea where can I find a good glassblower?

Roger Aldridge
User ID: 0735934 Sep 16th 5:58 AM
Paul,

Good show! You've been looking a long time for the neck. I'm really curious how it works for you -- in particular, with respect to intonation. Please let us know.

WW2
User ID: 7441073 Sep 16th 5:14 PM
Paulwl - I like the lamp idea, it also doubles as a spare parts donor if needed! I guess this is the way I'll get a decent neck for my silver Buescher!

paulwl
User ID: 9272753 Oct 2nd 7:21 PM
NECK PROJECT REPORT:

The uncased, bare brass Conn stencil C melody arrived safely this morning. The neck looked to be in playable condition, but the 80+ year old cork disintegrated when I tried to mount a mpc to it.

After a quick while-u-wait recorking and neck pad change in town, I brought it upstairs this evening to try on the 1936 Conn 8M. My impressions:

1. The playing position is less comfortable due to the horn being about 3 1/2" higher on one's body than the straight neck C. It puts a bit of a crick in the right elbow. OTOH, the left hand fingering feels a little more "under the hand" and immediate.

2. The tone is a little darker, more delicate, more altolike somehow. I don't notice any intonation problems. In fact the low end is less sharp than with the straight neck, and doesn't seem to break up as easily.

Overall, the C now feels more like an overgrown alto and less like a wimp tenor. I think I'm going to like having the choice.

paulwl User ID: 9272753	Aug 5th 8:43 PM Still looking for a curved neck in lacquer or raw brass from a Conn or Conn-stencil C melody. I'll even buy a whole horn if reasonably priced. Email paulwl@cyburban.com.
WW2 User ID: 9510053	Sep 5th 12:37 PM There is a guy in Germany that will make you one for about US$500. If you are interested, email me at wwalker@gte.net
Roger Aldridge User ID: 0735934	Sep 5th 1:06 PM Paul, I can't help but wonder if Steve Goodson might have a curved neck somewhere in his boneyard. Have you checked with him?
paulwl User ID: 9272753	Sep 11th 7:35 PM No Rog, but it's a thought. I'll email him.
paulwl User ID: 9272753	Sep 15th 7:46 PM The search is over!! I scored a great looking lacquered Conn stencil C off eBay for $85. I may donate the body of the horn to science, or perhaps have a lavalamp or aquarium made from it. Any idea where can I find a good glassblower?
Roger Aldridge User ID: 0735934	Sep 16th 5:58 AM Paul, Good show! You've been looking a long time for the neck. I'm really curious how it works for you -- in particular, with respect to intonation. Please let us know.
WW2 User ID: 7441073	Sep 16th 5:14 PM Paulwl - I like the lamp idea, it also doubles as a spare parts donor if needed! I guess this is the way I'll get a decent neck for my silver Buescher!
paulwl User ID: 9272753	Oct 2nd 7:21 PM NECK PROJECT REPORT: The uncased, bare brass Conn stencil C melody arrived safely this morning. The neck looked to be in playable condition, but the 80+ year old cork disintegrated when I tried to mount a mpc to it. After a quick while-u-wait recorking and neck pad change in town, I brought it upstairs this evening to try on the 1936 Conn 8M. My impressions: 1. The playing position is less comfortable due to the horn being about 3 1/2" higher on one's body than the straight neck C. It puts a bit of a crick in the right elbow. OTOH, the left hand fingering feels a little more "under the hand" and immediate. 2. The tone is a little darker, more delicate, more altolike somehow. I don't notice any intonation problems. In fact the low end is less sharp than with the straight neck, and doesn't seem to break up as easily. Overall, the C now feels more like an overgrown alto and less like a wimp tenor. I think I'm going to like having the choice.