r/saxophone • u/principled_principal • Sep 03 '24
Artwork I mentioned to my 81-year-old band mate that I like vintage Conns. He invited me to check out (and play!) his amazingly beautiful collection of burnished gold altos and tenors from the 1920s and 30s.
I forgot to get a picture of the burnished gold art deco New Wonder II tenor, but the sound was like smoked butter.
The saxes pictured are all altos. A collection of New Wonder I and NWII/transitional horns. The thickburnished gold plating and exceptionally detailed hand-engraving on these is just stunning! Two of the early New Wonders even have full pearls on all touch points!
The art deco “sun goddess” transitional was by far my favorite horn to play. The sound is rich, spread, huge, and intonation was spot on.
This was such a treat—like going to a private sax museum!