SUPER RARE CG Conn Conn-O-Sax - Ultra Collector's Instrument! - Serial # 219379

Product ID: 219379ConnOSax

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This is a once in a lifetime find! This is an original C.G. Conn Conn-O-Sax, serial number 219379. This is quite possibly the most legendary, most sought-after among collectors, and rarest member of the saxophone family. It is also one of the most colossal failures (at the time) ever produced by the usually sure-fire Conn company. It is a truly unique instrument!

The Conn-O-Sax is a very cool horn. Conn really thought they were on to something with this instrument. Keyed in F, it features extended keywork from low A to high G, and Conn thought it was finally the way to introduce the saxophone to the standard orchestral setting. Since you don’t see them in orchestras anywhere, you can guess it was a huge mistake in judgment, though of course, the Great Depression didn't help matters. They didn’t sell, and today it is one of the most hard to find saxophones. Nearly all of them still in existence, which is few, are in private collections or museums. You almost never see these come available for sale. This may be the only time you have a chance to pick one of these up on the open market.

The body of this Conn-O-Sax is really in incredible original condition. The body sports its factory original nickel plate finish showing minimal finish wear despite its age. They keywork was later silver plated, perhaps because they showed more finish wear, or just to add durability. Whatever the case may be, it was done extremely well; the whole thing is excellent and looks fantastic. The body tube and bulb are both in pristine physical condition and have never suffered dent work. There is one resolder: the original octave key guides at the very top of the horn were missing, and newer ones fashioned and installed. The sax's original neck is included and is also in great shape. The neck has never been pulled down, though it appears there once was a tiny ding under the octave key saddle. The dent has been removed, and the joint never popped off. It is nearly impossible to spot at this point. This saxophone features all of the original key work, pearls and key rollers.

This instrument was last repadded a number of years ago, using original style Conn Resopads with flat metal resonators. For the most part, all are in good shape. The instrument is currently in the Saxquest shop receiving a full, fresh setup. We'll replace a couple pads in the upper stack that are starting to age, and include all new felts, corks and a pro level key regulation. This saxophone will come in perfect tip top playing condition.

This saxophone was built during the same period of the New Wonders and at the height of the Conn experimental laboratories. Its key work includes the Conn style finger nail file G# key, trill G# key, set screws and rolled tone holes. The coolest thing about the Conn-O-Sax’s key work is that it includes a low A, high F# and high G.

It is a shame this instrument didn’t realize the fame and popularity Conn envisioned, because they really are fun to play! All of the keywork is the same as a regular saxophone, and being in the key of F it is just slightly smaller than an alto (though completely straight without a curved bell). Sonically, it has almost a snake-charmer-esque sound, very sweet and melodic, sort of an alto sax meets an English Horn kind of thing. It has the same kind of fast response and effortless play than you expect from a Conn sax of this time period.

Don’t miss out on this truly unique opportunity to pick up one of the most talked about saxes ever made!