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Conn Connstellation 38B, 28B and 36B?



 
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Bill Ortiz
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:28 pm    Post subject: Conn Connstellation 38B, 28B and 36B? Reply with quote

Hi everyone- I'm looking at picking up a Connstellation as a second horn. Can any owners of one tell me how the 36B , 28B and 38B differ in sound and feel? Thanks :)
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Greenleaf
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

While I own both an original Connstellation 28B (1950) and a 38B (1956) the 1920's vintage 2B remains my favorite. The (.458) 28B is more like the 2B which itself is similar to a New York Strad. The 28B was marketed head to head against the Martin Committee . . . so if you can imagine a sort of cross between the Strad and the Martin, but brighter because of its 5 inch bell that is thinned on the edge. It's much more traditional than the 38B.

The 38B is an interesting animal. Very different. Even though its .438 bore is the same as the 22B it feels much more open. I'm not that big on it, but a lot of guys sure love it. It is difficult to describe how it sounds and feels because the sound can change so much from mp to mp. You will find no shortage of opinion here on the TH if you dig through old posts.

I've never played a 36B so I cannot really comment. I imagine it's more just a question of projection with the smaller bell and light weight braces. If I WAS going to get one I'd look to find one without the trigger.

Hope this helps.
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B_Starry
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I own a 36B and a 28A, and have played 38Bs before.
Never played (or even saw) a 28B.

I find the 36B to be lighter than the 38B (duh), and brighter (another duh).
The 28A is closer to the 38B than the 36B is (to the 38B), if that makes any sense.

The 36B is more of a mainstream kind of horn. By that I mean, less idiosyncratic than the 38B. All of these Connstellations were really well designed professional instruments, IMO.

- Brian
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buhdda316
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

all I have to say is whatever you do, get all of them. They are all great horns. I own a 38b(1964) and it screams. When I put one of my deeper mouthpieces in it it really mellows. Its a really versatile horn and built like a tank. It projects like a champ. I sold one after graduating college and regretted it. I just recently traded for one and will keep it forever.
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EdMann
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 9:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a 28A and love it. A good way to try these may be to find a Kanstul dealer. Their 990 is a copy of the 36B, the 991 a 38B and you'll have the advantage of both Kanstul's workmanship and valves that are brand new. They play very much like the originals, IMO.

ed
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Bruin
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

FYI, kanstul.com (Zig's website) doesn't show/mention the 990 (only the 991), but kanstulmusic.com (Jack's website) has both.

991 - .437" Bore; (medium bore) 5 1⁄4" Bell;1st Slide Trigger Silver Plated with Gold Trim.

990 - .437" Bore; (medium bore) 5 1⁄4" Bell;1st Slide Trigger Nickel Plate with Lacquered Brass Trim.

They differ about plating and trim, but both have a 5.25" bell size, and there is no mention about different bracing. Ed, it doesn't look like one resembles a 36B, only a 38B. Drag, because I would LOVE to try out a 36B for comparison sake.
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Moshe Mizrachi
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can't find the post now,
but someone recently posted that a Connstellation trumpet made in the early 1970's was made before the Conn plant was moved from Elkhart to Abilene.
That is incorrect.
Connstellations through 1970 were made in Elkhart.
Starting in 1971 the Connstellations were made in Abilene.

All Connstellations up to and including those produced in 1969 have engraved on the bell "C.G.Conn LTD, Connstellation, Elkhart, USA". I haven't seen pictures of any Connstellations with serial numbers dating from 1970 or 1971 so I don't know what happened then. Connstellations built in 1972 had "C.G.Conn LTD, Connstellation, Abilene, Texas, USA" engraved on the bell. The "Abilene" disappeared quickly though and was replaced by simply "C.G.Conn LTD, Connstellation, USA". Draw your own conclusion from the quick removal of the word "Abilene".
http://www.xs4all.nl/~cderksen/Conn38B1958image.html

Moshe Mizrachi
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Dave Hughes
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 10:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I know this is a really old thread, but I'd like to comment. I own the somewhat rare 28B (.458 bore) Connstellation. Mine is in terrific condition for being a 1954. The horn is the best horn I've ever owned and is my primary horn- I also have a Xeno and a Besson (Kanstul) MEHA, and have owned Strads and other Bessons.

With a lead/commercial mouthpiece it rips huge in the upper range- it actually feels like its supporting my emboucher. With my big Warburton 1MD its super mellow. And, I'm not kidding, it slots the best out of any horn I have ever owned, from low g all the way up to double c. It also has a huge, free-blow.

The valves are not as exact as my Xeno, but they work well enough. Also, it does not play like many modern horns. A few friends who play on modern horns (a Bobby Shew, a Strad, a M503, a Getzen Eterna, and a MEHA) found the feel to be completely different than anything they've played- and that's why I like it so much. Its an awesome blow.

If you get a chance to buy a 28B, by all means buy it and keep it!

My next purchase is also going to be a 38B Connstellation (.439 bore). I know its tabbed as a great all-around horn, but, from the ones I've played, I perfer it for lead. And its a great lead horn.- there's a reason Kanstul copied the 38B with their 991 "Mariachi" lead horn.
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saxviking
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 4:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I own and play a 38B and love it to bits! it's a trumpet like no other.
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jiarby
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 5:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

+1 for my 1950 28B Connstellation.
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Robert Rowe
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 5:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've owned all of the aforementioned horns. All at the same time, and several duplicates of each (different production dates).

Sold all of them EXCEPT the 28A (actually a Cornet).

I have several 28As.

Myriad reasons. But, it is THE MOST VERSATILE HORN EXTANT.

Plays and sounds great also. BTW -- Get an early one, WITHOUT the 3rd-slide stop-rod piece-'0-crap.


~r2~
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connicalman
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 5:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yup.

What he said.

The 28A I know a bit about has the 1st tigger & 3rd stop rod. It does OK, and then some. Those guys who know lots beyond me say less is more. IDK, but they know their stuff.
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kochaavim, csillaagkep, αστερρισμός, konnstelacji, connstellation... ...a.k.a. the 28A!
Other Conns: Victor 5A & 38A, New Wonder & 80A; 'stella 38A; 36A; 'quest 76A...
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JobyMF
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 6:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

maynard, lee, clifford, cat and a few other greats play the Constellation?
What model was that?
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MFHorn13
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 7:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

JobyMF: The Connstellation Maynard played was a 38B.

I have owned three Connstellations: A 36B, and two 38B's. Both 38B's have been 1956's (I still have one). It's a very interesting horn! Very mouthpiece sensative, and a big bold sound. They seem to blow much larger than the .438 bore would indicate. The 38B aggreeably is a more "mainstream" horn, and is a bit more tame so to speak than the 38B. Overall, they're great horns, make sure they're aligned, and that you pick the right mouthpiece for the job.
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A.N.A.Mendez
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 8:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

28 YES
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connicalman
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

D'aaah ah gee Tennessee, 28 aay or bee?
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kochaavim, csillaagkep, αστερρισμός, konnstelacji, connstellation... ...a.k.a. the 28A!
Other Conns: Victor 5A & 38A, New Wonder & 80A; 'stella 38A; 36A; 'quest 76A...
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A.N.A.Mendez
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rough night?
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