There are multiple companies that make trombones, a brass instrument characterized by a sliding piece on the front end (see picture). These companies -- Bach, Conn and Yamaha, just to name a few -- all have different designs for their instrument, and each style has its own corresponding model number. While the model number is not printed on the individual instrument, there are several methods of determining this information.
Local the manufacturer's logo or insignia on your trombone. Different manufacturers have different logos, and print these logos at various locations on the instrument; for example, the King Instruments company prints a crown on the outside base of the trombone's bell (the flared part of the instrument from where the sound comes). A Conn trombone prints the word 'CONN' on the round part of the third brace (the short, straight metal rod nearest the back of the instrument). Once you know who manufactured your trombone, you will be able to narrow down your search for the instrument's model number.
Model: Start # End # Worcester: 1 (1888) 3,200 (1898) Wonder Improved: unknown (1895) 41,000 (1917) New Invention: 16,000 (1910) 23,000 (1912) New Wonder Series I: 41,000. They have serial numbers that run from “pre-letter” numbers into serial numbers preceded by a single letter (E, L, etc.). The key spotting feature is the engraving on the bell which will read “C. Conn LTD, Elkhart, IND, USA.”. 138 rows Main index > Conn and Pan American Serial Numbers > Conn Brass Serial Numbers. (Information concerning this patent is stamped on to many Conns made after this; the patent number 1119954 should not be confused with a serial number.) During the 1920's Conn dominated the booming saxophone business in the US along with its chief rival in the area, Buescher.
Take note of the different features on your trombone. Is it composed of brass (which will have a golden color) or sterling silver? Measure the diameter of the bell, as this is a key measurement often used to distinguish trombones. Look to see if the trombone is operated by a slide -- as most traditional trombones are -- or by valves, like you'd find on a trumpet (Reference 1).
Visit the manufacturer's website and look for its 'trombone' section. Some companies will list their different trombone models online, while others will have a downloadable PDF catalogue. This is the information for which you are looking.
Compare your trombone's features with those listed for the manufacturer's various models.
Use the trombone's serial number to help identify the model number. Regardless of your trombone's manufacturer, the serial number should be located on the piece of metal where the slide attaches to the rest of the instrument (Reference 2). Knowing your trombone's serial number can help you identify the year your instrument was made. King and Conn have lists of serial numbers and corresponding years of manufacture; this information can help you narrow down your search even further.
Conn Serial Number Trumpet
Contact your local music store with the information you've learned about your trombone. Even if you don't have enough information about the instrument for you to find the model number online or in the manufacturer's catalog, the addition of a serial number should help an instrument expert find it for you.
Tip
You may not be able to locate the manufacturer's logo or insignia on the instrument, especially if the parts where this information was printed have been replaced. In this case, you will have to rely on the trombone's features and serial number for model number identification.
Conn Serial Number Lookup
CornetsModel №
| Model Name
| Bore Size
| Years of Production
| 19A
| Director
| 1½ (11.64 mm)
| 1971 (marketed until ~1973)
| 21A
| Director (with copper [Coprion?] bell) | 1½ (11.64 mm) | 1971 (marketed until ~1973) | 16A [early]
| Director | 1½ (11.64 mm) | ~1974-1977 | 16A [late]
| Director
| 1½ (11.64 mm)
| 1977-1980
| 18A
| Director
| 1½ (11.64 mm) | 1980-1985 | 78A
| Century
although it came out in 1983, I've seen a serial HE011431 on a Century trumpet--places it at 1980...
| ?
| 1980/3-1985
| | 20A | [no official name; often referred to as a Director] | ?
| 1985-early 1990s | 22A
| Director
| ~1¾ (11.73 mm)
| was listed on 1997 Internet Archive capture of UMI site
| 85A
| CONNstellation
| ~1¾ (11.73 mm) | was listed on 1997 Internet Archive capture of UMI site | 100A
| 'Doc Severinsen' 100B trumpet early on, later 'Conn 100A/B' [if a cornet model was made]
| ?
| ~early 1990s? [not common]
| 1000A
| 'Doc Severinsen' 1000B trumpet early on, later just 'Conn 1000A/B'
| ?
| 1985-late 1980s
| 1050A
| CONNquest [name of trumpet model]
| ~1¾ (11.73 mm) | late 1980s-2001? - was listed on 1997 Internet Archive capture of UMI site | 34A
| Victor [according to Conn website; this is a King 604 in-house stencil]
| 1¾ (11.71 mm)
| ~1980s-present
| 35A
| ? [King 605 in-house stencil]
| ?
| 1990s? see reference here
| 23A
| [flügelhorn] | 1⅓? | 1971
| 24A
| [flügelhorn] | ½ (10.72 mm)? | 1972-1983 [Willson Switzerland model from 1972 identical to 1979 catalog model]
| 25F
| [flügelhorn] | ? [maybe .413']
| 1980s-at least 1999 [until 1FR 'Vintage One' came out] | 85F
| CONNstellation flügelhorn | ? [.413']
| 1990s-early 2000s [until 1FR 'Vintage One' came out]
| 1FR
| Vintage One flügelhorn | ? [.413']
| ~2000-present
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The first Directors made after Conn was sold to MacMillan and production was outsourced in 1971 were unusual. They were made by Yamaha for Conn, but used a Schilke design! Here are photos [none of them mine] of the cornet models, starting with the earliest introduced (19A & 21A): ^ Conn 21A Director cornet with copper bell: note that it might not be Coprion, but spun copper instead, as the bell has 'swirls' unlike true Coprion; there are exceptions, as some horns had old-stock Elkhart Coprion bells, but the newer Yamaha valves and tubing ^ ^ Conn 19A Director cornet with brass bell and valve type ^
In about 1974, the 16A cornet came out. It was basically a renamed 19A (the copper-bell line was eliminated), with a new bell engraving and '16A' being stamped on the mouthpiece reciever, instead of '☆ DIRECTOR ☆'. The valves changed to a barrel-type valve like those used on Connquests, Victors, and Connstellations. ^ Conn 16A [Director]; early style with underslung leadpipe wrap made until ~1978, with valves ^
^ Detail of 'semi-floral' bell engraving used, in place of the earlier 'shooting stars' ^ ^ Conn 16A [Director]; late style with Olds Ambassador/conventional leadpipe wrap--made from ~1978 ^ Note that the 18A, which first came out in 1980, was essentially a renamed late model 16A--the serial number system, the bell engraving, and leadpipe wrap were the same, with '18A' stamped on the mouthpiece reciever instead of '16A'. A perfect example of these transitional 18A/Bs is an 18B trumpet (serial HE012004)with modern-style (non-telescoping) braces, semi-floral bell pattern, and ordinary water-keys, and Bach-type valves shown below. The later model 18A is the more familiar version that removes the 'semi-floral' pattern and 'CONN' below the marching men, and replaces it with 'Director / C. G. CONN, LTD./[USA in some instances]'. Note that the marching men are still in the trapezoid seen in the 'semi-floral' bell. The braces also change to more modern-style ones, instead of the old 'telescoping' ones, with Amado water keys becoming standard by 1982-3, possibly changing back during the Henkin-to-UMI/Abilene-to-Eastlake conversion. These late 18As basically 'set the standard' for most Conn cornets to come up into the late 1990s, as the valves/valve casings, threads, braces, 3rd slide rings, and other parts remained mostly the same for a long time. ^ Later-model 18A Director cornet and valve type used ^
^ 'Director' engraved on the bell of the instrument ^ ^ Ad for 1980s Conn Directors: notice the font of the word 'Director' is the same as that used on the instrument bells--note that the cornet and trumpet pictured don't have Amado water-keys ^ ^ Conn 20A cornets--usually the 20B is more common, but later Conn cornets follow this design pattern ^ ^ Conn 22A Director cornets--note different design [like the old 12A or new 34A] than the 1000A/etc. ^ ^ Conn 1000A cornet from 1990--cornet version of the 1000B; note resemblance to the late 16A/18A and 20A ^ ^ Conn 85A CONNstellation cornet; note resemblance to the late 16A/18A, 20A, and 1000A, as well as the King Legend 2220 cornet ^ ^ Conn 1050A CONNquest cornet [from the later 90s]--note different design [like the old 12A or new 34A] than the 1000A/etc. ^
^ Conn 34A Victor cornets--notice design similarity to the 12A/King 600 series cornets; only cornet still produced by Conn ^
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