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C. G. Conn New Era 56B Trumpet |
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C. G. Conn Ltd Model: 56B I bought this trumpet from the collection of Richard Kolacny (1928-2020) of Denver. He was the second owner of Kolacny Music that was started in 1930 by his father. The business closed in 2023 thanks to loss of business during the Covid pandemic and the collection was sold off by his son David after the closing. What struck me right away about this trumpet was that it was not the standard design for a 56B. This had both a first and third slide ring just like the model 2B; something not found on any of the New Era horns. The dog engraving on the bell made me think of the RCA/Victor mascot Nipper, listening to the Victrola. Since this was made in 1929, the same year that RCA was working on acquiring Victor, perhaps this was done as a custom order for one of the owners. Here it was when purchased, including the Getzen pinky hook!
The engraving goes all the way to the back of the bell.
This above photo shows the two areas of damage. The pinky hook was lost at some point and someone did a really amateur job replacing it with a Getzen one. Really?! Someone who could afford this trumpet couldn't take it to a professional for repair? The other damage is really worse. From the plier marks on the mouthpiece, I could tell that someone removed a stuck mouthpiece by twisting it with pliers enough that it broke the rear bell brace and left a slight warp in the leadpipe.
Here is a view of the engraving next to the real image used by Victor.
The serial dates this to 1929. Conns from this era often have the serial number and finish quite worn down from use but this one is nearly mint; verifying little use.
The Getzen pinky hook.
More views of the case and accessories.
I have never seen a mute with a cap before but I am told that these came with the Brilliante mutes.
This ad was in the December 1928 Jacob's Band Monthly.
This is a 1928 catalog image of the 58B. The leadpipe is stamped 56B, but that would have had an inline rotary valve for Bb/A so this trumpet is closer to a modified 58B.
This is the same catalog image in 1930.
An International Musician ad from September, 1930 showing the 56B.
Here is a comparison with a model 2B from 1928 to show where the slide set-up came from. This also shows you how compressed the New Era design was compared to a more conventional one.
All apart for cleaning and polishing.
Even the bottom cap and spring are clean and look new!
Some photos all back together. I'm told by Ray Noguera who has studied Conn engravers that this was likely done by Julius Stenberg (1868-1954) who was a master engraver from 1887-1954. He and his brother Charles both worked there until they died. Julius is on the left below.
Here is a comparison of a Buescher Aristocrat with the Conn New Era with the bells set in the same location. The bell diameters are the same, yet the Buescher has a longer bell and the Conn a longer lead pipe. The Buescher valves are much closer to the bell.
Here is another example of a Conn trumpet bell done in the same pattern a few years earlier.
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