Tenor Saxophone Case

1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY

1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY
1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY
1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY
1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY
1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY
1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY
1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY
1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY
1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY
1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY
1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY
1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY

1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY

Check out my other items. Be sure to add me to your favorites list. For those of you who may not be familiar, Frank is a true heavy hitter in the jazz world and has been featured on multiple Grammy winning albums. He is also the quintessential gear hound, having amassed a collection of over 500 mouthpieces!

He now endorses and plays Jody Jazz mouthpieces exclusively so he is purging some of his massive collection of mouthpieces he has acquired over many years, as well as other random gear. Be sure to check out my other items for more great items from this collection.

There will be more to come later, so add me to your favorites list and check back later to see new additions. His listing is for a vintage Conn "transitional" tenor saxophone. The "transitional" horns were produced for a couple years in the early 1930's as the design gradually evolved from that of the New Wonder II (Chu Berry) model to the 10M Artist (Naked Lady) model. These are among the most desirable of vintage Conn saxophones.

Depending on how early a given transitional horn was built, it might have more in common with the earlier model, or the latter. The serial number is 247, xxx, making this one an early'tranny', so it more closely resembles a Chu Berry. It has opposing side bell keys, fingernail file G#, etc. Like many transitional horns, this one did not have any decorative engraving. It simply says Made by C. It does have rolled tone holes. It is a low pitch model, which is the desired tuning for modern use.

This is definitely a'player's horn'. It has been re-lacquered, and has had a few modifications done to it.

It has had 10M style wire clothes guards added from the body to the bell. One goes directly from the body tube to the bell, and the other goes from the body and connects to the previously existing low B key cage. These mods were done quite well. In fact, it took me a while to realize that they weren't original. The other thing I noticed is that it looks like a larger touch piece was added for the bis Bb to make it easier to straddle both that and the B key with the first finger. There was also a mod done and then apparently reversed. There is a solder scar above the chromatic F# key. Honestly, I don't see how anyone could play with the thumb hook that high, but I also don't have a better explanation for it. Aside from that, it has been relacquered.

It's not the best lacquer job, but also far from the worst I've seen. In some spots in almost looks like old Buffet "sparkle" lacquer, but I don't think it is necessarily supposed to.

This horn is in generally very good physical condition, but it has been played a lot. There is one shallow dent on the bow, which could probably be pushed out relatively easily. Aside from that, there are normal minor pings and nicks, but nothing significant. The neck is in good condition. It doesn't look to have been pulled down, and there are no dings. It does fit a little tight into the receiver, but I think it just needs cleaning of the tenon and receiver. Speaking of the receiver, there are some minor stress cracks emanating from the screw slot. The key guards are all nice and straight. The key-work is all moving freely and fluidly, but the rollers are frozen. The pearls are quite worn down from having been played a lot.

A few of the real pearls have been replaced with cheap plastic pieces, which aren't really fit well to their respective cups. The fingernail file G# has actually been partially worn down smooth.

The keys exhibit normal mechanical wear, so could use some swedging. Several of the locking screws (that go into the post perpendicular to the pivot screws to lock those in place) are missing. This horn is playable as is, but it definitely would need some work to be put in proper playing condition. It does play down to low Bb, but with some difficulty, especially below low D. A leak light inspection reveals a good amount of leaks throughout the instrument. For the most part the pads don't look bad though, so it could probably be adjusted back into good playing condition, with maybe just a handful of pads replaced. Of course, for optimum playing condition a full overhaul would be recommended. This horn comes in a nice Gator brand hard shell case. It is lightweight, yet compact. It is in very good condition. It is clean and odor free inside. One of the exterior plastic feet is broken, so you can't stand it up the tall way. I'm not sure why you'd want to though, because that is just asking for trouble! There is no mouthpiece, nor any other accessories included with this sax. Please feel free to message me with any questions! The item "1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY" is in sale since Wednesday, April 17, 2019. This item is in the category "Musical Instruments & Gear\Vintage Musical Instruments\Vintage Wind & Woodwind\Band & Orchestral\Saxophones". The seller is "greatlakeswinds" and is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This item can be shipped worldwide.
  • Model: Transitional
  • Modified Item: No
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Custom Bundle: No
  • Body Finish: lacquered brass
  • Exact Year: 1931
  • Non-Domestic Product: No
  • Key Finish: Lacquered brass
  • Body Material: Brass
  • Brand: Conn
  • Skill Level: Professional

1931 CONN TRANSITIONAL Bb TENOR SAXOPHONE + GATOR CASE CHU BERRY to 10M TRANNY