Expert: Kenton Scott - 9/13/2006

Question
Hello, I collect antique trombones.  I have one from my Great Grandfather that will be 100 years old in 4 years and recently aquired a Conn Trombone from a old music teacher and cannot find anything about it.  Its tuning slide is on the slide, not behind the bell, if you know what I mean.  The code on it is 267476 and under where the mouth piece goes it has a 17.  It is in fairly good condition and I would like to know any information that you can give me.

                       Thanks,    Jamie

Answer
Hi Jamie,

I'd like to see some pictures of it.  

That serial number would indicate that it is of 1929 manufacture.  

The in-slide tuning is something that is sometimes seen on horns that were intended for use with the symphony.  But Conn also had a dance band version with the in-slide tuning The horns I see with in-slide tuning that are of that are include:  38H, 40H, 41H, 42H, 76H, 82H.  Also, a lot of the bass trombones had in-slide tuning.

But, the 17 on the receiver is interesting.  The model lists I have indicate that the 17H was an high/low pitch alto trombone, which doesn't sound like what you are describing at all.