![]() My old ones have a larger (in the tail, ala Kruspe) heavier bell, and sound better. They went to a thinner bell as well, then. That might explain why the Conn had slightly better intonation than the Kruspe, and was not prone to “wolfs.” He also said that the bell taper was changed slightly in the early ’60s due to new mandriles and a new bell spinner on the job. Jim Klapp, sales manager at Conn in the ’60s, told me on a visit to the Elkhart plant in ’69 that the 8D was based on Arthur Berv’s Kruspe with certain modifications, mainly the taper of a Schmidt leadpipe. There is a brief history of the early production of the Conn 8D by Kendall Betts over in The Conn 8D website, where he notes that the first instruments have serial numbers in the 320,000 series. The Conn 8D was basically an improved upon version of a nickel silver Horner model Kruspe and for many years was one of the best professional level horns you could purchase. The model was first produced in 1937 this advertising image from 1956 is linked from the Conn Loyalist website. ![]() But, as I noted last week, it is a distinctive design and “some hornists … hate 8Ds almost as much as some hate the mellophone.” ![]() ![]() The first obvious thing to note is that the Conn 8D is a classic instrument beloved by many players. turns out classic horns for world’s best musicians.” Also last week I got back to exploring my roots in the Conn 8D school of horn playing so it is a good time to review what a “vintage” 8D is. Out of the Conn 8D’s that are available for sale, those with the name ‘Elkhart’ stamped on the bell are highly prized, and many are looking for instruments with serial numbers starting with 442,000 or later (these instruments have tapered valves).Last week an article was featured on, “ Conn-Selmer Inc. It is also the instrument most often heard in film scores. In 1938, Conn made a copy of this instrument and named it the 8D for over 60 years the 8D has been the workhorse for the majority of professional orchestral musicians, both on the East and West Coast. Horner was so enthusiastic about the horn, he had the Kruspe instruments made to his specifications (the Horner model) shipped from Germany for sale in the United States. The 8D is a copy of the original Kruspe double horn made in 1902 for Anton Horner, Principal Horn of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Sacchi played with the Denver Symphony, Orlando Symphony, and 18 seasons with the Houston Symphony and was known for his book Studies on the Natural Horn, published in 1967. ![]() This particular instrument was well-played, as it belonged to professional musician, the late Leo Sacchi. Conn 8D’s of this era are known for being excellent instruments and are highly sought-after. This vintage Conn 8D French Horn, was made in Elkhart, Indiana in the late 1950’s (serial number 624XXX). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |