Conn C_Melody
Saxophone

in Satin Gold Plate
This is a beautiful gold plated example of the most playable of all the C_Melodies. Brightly polished gold plated keys, inner bell and engraving surface contrast against the satin textured main body for a truly striking appearance. Floral engraving expands over the entire bell front to punctuate the opulence of this fine old roaring twenties show girl. These straight neck Conn C saxes have a booming bottom end and a floating, lyric upper register. Listeners probably won't know if you're playing alto or tenor. They just won't believe their ears! The intonation is good and when set up correctly (this one is) they play as well as the Conn altos & tenors of this same era. Those familiar with 1920's Conn saxes know that's pretty high praise. 
Why a C_Melody? For one thing, they're useful -- and for the same reasons these wonderful saxophones were so prolific in the 1920's. You can read over the piano or guitar player's shoulder -- no need to transpose in your head. These saxes are especially popular in our churches -- they sing out praise in the hands of loving players who read directly from their hymnals. If you're sitting in on open mic, I guarantee the key of A is a lot more friendly with a C_Melody than if you dragged in your alto or tenor ...


Now for the real stuff: These horns have increased in value over the last few years by more than Mark VI's, Super 20's, SML's, you name it. Yup, they built a ton of 'em in the 1920's, but how many since then? Well, in this case, ZERO is a good answer. Nada. ZIP. None. Now this isn't an economics lesson, but how many churches are there? How many fledgling sax collectors? How many C_Melodies are still in one piece? How many of those are straight neck Conns? And how many of those Conns are in super rare gold plate? (Hint: 90% of C_Melodies are silver plated). Is a demand/supply squeeze coming into view? Raise your hand if you've kicked yourself for passing on that Mark VI priced under $1,000 a few years back ...
The 108,xxx serial # of this instrument traces to 1923. Often called 'pre_Chu', these saxes have the same sturdy keywork (w/set screws on the pivots) as their more famous relatives. Actually, the only differences are the shapes of the palm keys and the lack of textured G# on the 'pre Chu'. Rolled tone holes, micro tuning neck, split bell keys, fork Eb, G# trill, are all the same. The straight neck allows for a more comfortable playing position, straight out front or slightly to the right as with alto or tenor. You can't do that comfortably with a serpentine neck C_Melody ...
This sax has been played some, so there is plating wear -- say 90% remains. Played some is good -- means somebody liked it. Lemons are more common among closet horns. The pads are good, say 65%+ remaining life -- which can be a very long time with the rolled tone holes. The instrument looks good as is, but if you want to touch up the polishing on your gold plating you will see what a truly spectacular vintage show piece this old gal can be. Comes with good vintage case and a modern tenor mouthpiece that we have matched to properly play with this instrument. If you're bent on self abasement we'll send along a vintage Conn C_Melody mouthpiece for free ...
 
This rare instrument is offered at US$985.
Until it's sold please enjoy these pics with us.

(back to main 'For Sale' page)

 
Main Collection Services Hall Gallery Tech  Links
 Phone Sax: 918_625_9773 
email CyberSax