Brands

C.G. Conn is the oldest continuous manufacturer of band instruments in America. It all started when one Saturday night in 1873, Civil War veteran Charles Gerard Conn got involved in a brawl that resulted in a split lip. Not good news for a man who played cornet with the Elkhart, Indiana "Brick Brown Band." In order to get around this problem, Colonel Conn set out to perfect a special rubber-cushioned mouthpiece so he could continue playing. The new mouthpiece, which he later patented, caught the eye of other musicians. He made a few for his friends, but soon there was such a demand for his mouthpieces that he rigged up a lathe from an old sewing machine and began turning them out as fast as possible.

In 1875, a French musical instrument maker named Dupont stopped by the shop and asked if he might use Conn's bench to repair some horns. After watching him work for several days, Conn decided that he, too, could make a horn. In that same year, in a closet-size shop only 20 feet square, Col. Conn produced the first American-built cornet. By 1879 the shop moved into larger quarters, and Conn began adding instruments to his line. In 1888, Colonel Conn brought 15 European instrument craftsmen to the United States and gave them the space, the tools and the incentive to make the finest instruments their skills would allow. Their expertise, teamed with the Colonel's ingenuity and ambition, soon produced instruments so exceptional that they were accorded highest honors in the 1893 World's Columbia Exposition in Chicago.

In 1915, Colonel Conn sold the C.G. Conn Company to C.D. Greenleaf. Greenleaf realized a need for the advancement of instrumental music in the schools. His foresight and energy continued to add to Conn's innovations. He was responsible for founding the first national school for band directors, first and only center for the study of musical acoustics, first successful short action valves, first all-electronic organ and first fiberglass sousaphones, among other legendary advancements. Building on the proven designs of the past, C.G. Conn continues to meet the demands of today's best musicians. As well, amateur and student musicians can enjoy the very best in instrument technology and performance with brass instruments from C.G. Conn.

Vintage One 1B Series Bb:

The Vintage One series combines the best of the classic C.G. Conn trumpets with a modern design. It has a .459” medium large bore and a one piece hand hammered yellow brass, rose brass or sterling silver bell. A #46 standard mouthpipe is normally used, but with the choice of #34 or a #50 mouthpipe instead. Two tuning slides are included, one with a more rounded curve and a push button waterkey, and the other with a more square shape and a lever style waterkey. Reverse mouthpipe is available with any mouthpipe configuration. A third slide water key can be added, either with the push button or lever style. The patented Modular Valve Weight (MVW) System provides flexibility in response. This trumpet comes with Monel pistons. Lacquer, silver plated, silver plated with 24K gold plated trim, and complete 24K gold plated finishes are available. This trumpet includes a Pro Plus double case and your choice of silver plated standard CKB mouthpiece sizes.

CONNstellation 52B and 52BSP Bb:

The CONNstellation series has a .462" large bore and a 4 7/8" seamless bell. They feature a free blowing reverse mouthpipe and rounded main tuning slide crook and heavy top and bottom valve caps. The patented Modular Valve Weight (MVW) System provides flexibility in response. This trumpet comes with Monel pistons. Lacquer or silver plating are available. This trumpet includes a Pro Plus double case and your choice of silver plated standard CKB mouthpiece sizes.

Visit the official Conn website for more information.