Saxophone/C.G. Conn Sax

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Expert: Grant R. Koeller - 11/16/2009


Question
QUESTION: hello, i have a C.G. Conn LTD. by Elkhart, ind. (without the case). engraved is in the bell is: 10 M / pattn approved for/ T / 313502/ L. The bell has beautiful "flower motive" and also a small woman face engraved. The condition of the instrument is not the best. I noticed 2 very small dents and it is very tarnished. Can you help me to identify this sax, put a date and explanation on it and the # and type as well as the value? Thank you kindly
Vera

ANSWER: Hello Vera, Thanks for letting me answer your question. You have a Conn 10M Artist "Lady Face" Tenor, made in 1945. Sometimes these are referred to as "Naked Lady" models,  With The Lady Face and by the serial number of 313***, You have a Conn 10M Tenor from 1945, the official name is a Conn Artist 10M. Your horn is Low Pitch which is great! You can use it today at A=440. Chu Berry (Leon Brown Berry) was the sax soloist for the famous Fletcher Henderson band of the 1930's. He was born 13 SEP 1908 and died in a car crash 30 OCT 1941. Charlie Parker named his first son Leon after "Chu", after jamming with him in the early 1940's at Minton's, the birth of Bebop. Some would argue that the real Chu Berry tenors were the Conn New Wonder series II, but Chu himself used a 10M transitional model. The fact that it has Silver Plating means your horn is worth top dollar next to the gold plated models. The main rule of thumb about value; Something is only worth what someone else would pay for it. If you found the right buyer, you might be able to get $1700-$3900 or way more in Japan. It's value is immense. Historically, this is as good as it gets! YOU HAVE A GEM! Please get this SAX fixed up and restored! Keep this horn under lock and key! You have a player! I wish I could play it some day! This is the real deal! Back in the Day, Conn was the Cream of the crop! Later on in the early 50's Selmer would be tops, but for those years of the 20's,30's and 40's, Conn was it! I would also call 1-800-USA-Horn and tell them what you've got. They can help you figure out it's true value.
Good Luck
Grant R. Koeller
USAF Bands


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for all the information! I bought this sax about 5 years ago on a flea market and i used it as a wall decor, I guess not very appropriate for this gem! I can not play a sax, and as you know I have really no knowledge about this.  
However I am hoping to sell it to somebody who appreciates this saxophone for what it is. I am just wondering if I would make more on the saxophone if i would have it restored before i sell it? If I have it restored would you be able to recommend me somebody?

Answer
If the sax is fully restored, it will be worth much more, but it will also cost a lot of money to get it restored.[600-800 dollars.] If I was you I would sell it as is so the buyer can get it restored to their standards. A true player will know where to go and what to fix to get this baby playing music! Yes, you have found a gem, now is the time to let the gem shine. This horn would be a top choice for bebop jazz, rock or blues. Please call Dennis at 1-800-USA-Horn, he will tell you what he will pay and go from there. If you don't like his price, call sax quest, if that's not a good deal, sell it yourself on e-bay or craigslist!
Good luck!
Grant Koeller

Saxophone

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Grant R. Koeller

Expertise

I'm a Professional Jazz Saxophone soloist with the USAF Band Of Flight, WPAFB, OHIO, experienced in performance, technique and equipment. I'm not a buyer/seller or dealer. I have 38 years Alto, Tenor, Soprano and Bari Saxophone performance experience with additional years on the Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bass Guitar, Piano, Drum-set, Guitar and Voice. I'm a third generation professional military musician, my father, Bill Koeller(1939-1997) was in the USAF 1958-1962, and played Jazz Hammond B-3 organ from 1957-1997, and my fathers Uncle, Alfred Koeller (1912-1993), was a professional Acoustic Bassist in the Army Air Corps in WWII, and also performed on Jazz Guitar, Hammond organ, Piano and tenor saxophone.

Experience

Professional Saxophone Soloist, 21 total years with the USAF Bands, 3 years with the USAF Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, performing on Tenor, Alto, Soprano, Clarinet, and Flute. 4 years in Japan, at Yokota AFB with the USAF Band of the Pacific. An Avid Composer and Arranger for the Night Hawk Protocol Combo. Currently Lead Alto Saxophonist with the USAF Night Flight Big Band performing the music of Glenn Miller as well as other hits of the Big Band Era. I collect LP records of Jazz, blue's, classical and rock, and have over 12,000 records.

Organizations
USAF,Phi MU Alpha Sinfonia, Men's National Music Fraternity, Johnny Mack Super Big Band, Tom Daugherty Orchestra, Kim Kelly Orchestra, Dayton Jazz Orchestra, Eddie Love Big Band, Cincinnati, Ohio, Gem City Big Band, Jazz Central Big Band, Wright State Jazz Ensemble, Jimmy Baker Blues Band, This Side Up, Freelance, GB Work,Sax On The Web,

Publications
Saxophone On the Web; Anchorage Daily News; All Experts; Augustana College Public Radio, WVIK;

Education/Credentials
North Texas State University School of Music, Jazz Studies 1982-1986 Lead Alto, Lab band 82 and small group 83-84, Jazz Radio Host WVIK 90.1 FM NPR affiliate Rock Island, IL United States Collegiate Wind Band European tour 1980 Augustana College, Rock Island IL, Liberal Arts Music Mentors/Teachers:My father Bill Koeller, a Jazz Hammond B-3 Organist (1939-1997) Great Uncle Alfred Koeller, Acoustic Bass 1912-1993

Awards and Honors
Paul Shartle Musician of the Quarter Spring 2008; Glenn Miller Festival, Clarinda, Iowa featured soloist; McDonald's All-American Band and Jazz Ensemble 1979; US Collegiate Wind Bands,Paul Lavalle Conductor, tour of Europe,1980; John Phillip Sousa Award, 1980 Dimond HS Anchorage, Alaska; USAF National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star; USAF Achievement Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters; USAF Good Conduct Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters

Past/Present Clients
Performed with, Bob Hope, The Platters, Four Tops, Jimmy Dorsey, Crystal Gail, Helen Ready, James Williams, Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Jack Jones, The Mills Brothers, the G-Clef's, Lionel Hampton at Carnegie Hall, Performed for the King Of Thailand 2005, Tom "Bone's" Malone, Roy Hargrove, Tommy Turrentine, Performed for President Gerald Ford, President George W. Bush, The Maguire Sisters, The USO Girls-Andrew Sisters Tribute, The Four Lads, Lincoln Berry, The Dayton Jazz Orchestra, Louis Bellson, Buddy DeFranco, Walter Bishop Jr, Sadao Watanabe, Bobby Shew, Pete Jolly, Quad City Jazz Ensemble, Augustana College Symphonic Band, Jack Scott, Catfish Jazz Society, Intrigue-Boston Wedding Band, The Mark Herbert Little Big Band, The Pacesetters Big Band, The Ambassadors Jazz Ensemble, Pacific Showcase Big Band, Jimmy Dorsey Big Band under the direction of Lee Castle, Ronny Scott Orchestra, Big Al's Hot Dance Orchestra, The Dayton Sidewinders, Tom Daugherty Orchestra, Johnny Mack Super Big Band, Ken Peplowski, Eddie Daniels, Buddy Guy, Roy Hargrove, Warren Parrish, John OMeara Jr., Dave Holcomb, Albia Silva,Vinnie Demartino, Clon VonFitz, The G Clef's

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