Expert: Kenton Scott - 2/21/2009

Question
How does one define the model of a cornet ( eg an 80A, etc). All I can find (sometimes) is the approximate year it was made ; and that varies source to source. And I've yet to find mention of the bore of a given instrument.

Answer
Charlie,

I need more specifics.  Are you are referring to only Conn instruments?  xxA is a Conn model designation for cornets.  As to the approximate years, that is because the maker's never intended the number to be a way for the public to date the manufacture of the instrument, it was just an inventory tracking device.  Some makers had more than one list, and some makers didn't necessarily put the horns out for sale in serial number order.  And, lastly, most of the serial number lists that exist were not constructed by the company but rather by interested folks outside the companies.