150th Anniversary "CONNfirmation" Limited Edition Alto Sax

[Gandalfe]

Here is a full photo spread on the new 150th Anniversary "CONNfirmation" Limited Edition Alto Sax by Conn. These are truly special playing horns. Assembled in the USA (from foreign & domestic parts). Happy Sax Day!
https://kesslerandsons.com/.../conn-150th-anniversary.../

PS, Suzy said no to me acquiring one. They look lovely.

 

[ghostler]

PS, Suzy said no to me acquiring one. They look lovely.

Thanks for sharing. They do look nice, but for $7k I'd be afraid to take it anywhere.

Mine got Vito'ed.

My recently serviced 1952 Model 37 Beaugnier Vito alto sax
I looked over Kessler's other selections, they do have a nice assortment to choose from:

Alto Saxophones

Alto Saxophones Kessler & Sons Music carefully selects the alto saxophones that we carry in our stores. As there are so many brands, models and

kesslerandsons.com

But I am a bit GAS'd out with 4 altos.

 

[Gandalfe]

Yeah, that's a lot of ice cream.

 

[ghostler]

Yeah, that's a lot of ice cream.

Perhaps another way to put it for someone up and coming on the sax to consider?

Q: Will I sound like Paul Desmond with this sax?
A: No, you will sound like you.
Q: If I buy that Berg pre-Larson metal mouthpiece replica for $1,000 plus this sax, could I sound like David Liebman?
A: No, you will sound like you.

 

[ghostler]

I initiated a discussion yesterday on this sax here for inputs:

https://cafesaxophone.com/threads/conn-150th-anniversary-alto-saxophone.37461/#post-566988

It is now up to 18 replies. Some have made astute observations, a few humorous.

 

[ghostler]

Here are 2 videos on this sax posted by one of the members on the other forum, first time I have seen these. I am not so big on sales talk. I think the real proof will be an independent assessment by someone who does not have a vested interest in the company.

 

[Helen]

Mmm.... Well those videos are interesting. The play test from 3 years ago is pretty amazing for a prototype. Obviously one of the players who was involved in the testing phase of the instrument.

 

[Gandalfe]

Yeah, I wonder about the mouthpiece used for the play test.

 

[ghostler]

Yeah, I wonder about the mouthpiece used for the play test.

Obviously they wanted the sax played to its best, so I imagine it would be whatever the studio musician being filmed preferred to use.

full photo spread on the new 150th Anniversary "CONNfirmation" Limited Edition Alto Sax

Spoiler: Confirmation

(English word chosen by Conn) is a bit ambiguious. One would think they may have opted for something like, CONNoisseur.

Yandex A.I.:
A connoisseur is a person who has a great deal of knowledge about the fine arts, who is a keen appreciator of cuisines, fine wines, and other gourmet products, or who is an expert judge in matters of taste. 1 4
The word “connoisseur” has two meanings:

1. An expert in a particular subject, especially in art or wine.
2. A person who enjoys with discrimination and appreciation of subtleties.

1 2
Here are some examples of the word in context:

• “She is a connoisseur of African art.”
• “The mushrooms had the chewy, savory flavor preferred by connoisseurs.”
• “A circumstance that the public will perhaps learn with pleasure should render this music precious to true connoisseurs.”

I think it they wanted to make an impression, such would be a bit more expressive.

Having this sax shows an appreciation for the fine art of music.

 

[Helen]

The BS that is being repeated on forums from those with ZERO actual knowledge about this instrument is saddening.

FYI, I know one of the designers. I am just working on an interview with him that will hopefully settle down some of the misinformation being perpetuated on places like SOTW and the Cafe.

My hope is that the WF won't turn into another place where misinformation and speculation with no first-hand product knowledge abounds.

As soon as my article is published, I will post a link here.

 

[Gandalfe]

I wondered about that and checked the nay-sayers on the SOTW forum. They were mostly little-know members who like to complain.

 

[ghostler]

@Helen , I thank you for setting the table straight on the Brilhart designed Graftonite and Metalite mouthpieces in the other forum. I from experiential knowledge have found certain model options actually work quite well for me. Cost is not a determination on the goodness of a mouthpiece. Yet, I got hammered for mentioning them on two other forums.

My hope is that the WF won't turn into another place where misinformation and speculation with no first-hand product knowledge abounds. As soon as my article is published, I will post a link here.

This is why I posted those videos that I found by others posting, as this is the first that I have heard on how the sax performs.

And, my apologies, Helen. I look forward to reading your new article. I used to work in contract administration on large construction projects, reviewed contractor proposals, submittals, even evaluated designer proposals. Thus I am not big on words but evidence.

My speculation: "Is this a corporate pet project or a springboard into a new line or lines of saxes?"

 

[Helen]

I wondered about that and checked the nay-sayers on the SOTW forum. They were mostly little-know members who like to complain.

That's exactly who they are. Sigh...

Even the clown who claimed he was one of the play-testers provided total BS with ZERO evidence to support his claims.

 

[Bari Sax Guy!]

I couldn't resist...

 

[ghostler]

Kessler & Sons, Inc. wrote:

So why make it a Limited Edition only?​

The CONNfirmation was designed and built as more of a prototyping concept for the upcoming reintroduction of the Conn brand to saxes in the market. Prototyping a new design requires immense time, effort and expense to do. With this sax, Conn was developing the bore concept and feature sets to be utilized in the eventual release of the new Conn models. While we do have some inside information on these new models, we cannot share them yet – pinky swears are legally binding in the music industry after all! However, the acoustic elements designed for these horns were just too impressive to NOT let get out on the market. So that is what Conn has decided to do in this release of the Limited Edition CONNfirmation model alto sax.

So, this limited edition is their special project and introductory announcement. This tells me that what will follow most likely will be less expensive during production. Also, they will offer standard lacquer finishes in the mix, maybe sans or with limited engraving, maybe numerically generated / laser etched or none, which of course would reduce costs.

Each horn as a limited edition number on them – but get ready for a little wonkiness… there are only 40 that are being released on the market, but the series numbering (marked on the bell to bow band) will be in an xxx/150 format! So even though there are only 40, the series indicates that there are 150 – but there never were! Only 40. So we have numbers 40, 43 and 61.

The fact they have a #61 leads credence that there is more in this production, but only 40 are for public sales. There was a photo of one finished with a silver bell that may not be of these 40? The prototypes are included in the numbering (in addition to the 40)? And, like I mentioned before, demonstrator models are in addition to the 40?

As time proceeds, more facts will be revealed.

 

[ghostler]

View attachment 11105
I couldn't resist...

Your post photo reminds me of this:

Late 1980's at the Army Birthday Ball in the Beverly Hilton Hotel, LA area, us members of the 300th Army Band (Reserve) showed up early for the ceremonial music.

One of their leaders did or said something that peeved our warrant officer bandleader. We had a last minute music change.

We played the serene song, "Send In The Clowns" when the command leadership names were being announced.

The one year that I missed the ball because my employer sent me to out-of-state-training, Bob Hope and Barbara Streisand greeted and shook hands with the band members.

 

[ghostler]

I posted the following in the Café, but I thought it worth posting here as well. This was in response to a comment that the old Conn Corporation is gone:

"I think the difficulty is that it's the reintroduction of the Conn brand name which is something altogether different. Conn as a company that exists to make and develop saxophones no longer exists."

The following is my reply:

I think perhaps the best way to look at it is this is the new Conn company and not the old one. The old visionaries with their particular drive and incentive are gone. The era and people who bought their saxes, many are no longer with us. There have been improvements in manufacturing, materials, methods, ergonomics and greater knowledge in acoustical design and simulation that were not available 70+ years ago.

Times and focuses have changed.

So, I am in a wait and see position. Meanwhile I'm loving the impressively soft subtone, especially in the lower notes I'm getting from my serviced Le Blanc 7133T Vito (Jupiter) tenor, balancing the upper woodwinds in the Community Band.

The wider bore of my recently serviced 1952 Le Blanc 37 Vito (Beaugnier) alto is so impressively free blowing. I'm stoked, am really going to enjoy it into 2026.

It helps me to relate to the saxists playing and describing this new Conn with its wider bore versus the modern narrower bore.

Let's see what their new line-up will bring.

Most of us like myself already have our share of saxes and aren't candidates for a newer sax. Since I am in my last trimester of life, what I have I can keep serviced and last me until I can no longer play.

Appreciating what I have makes playing all the more worthwhile.