http://bassic-sax.info/pix/index.php?/category/14720. Link to the closed ebait ad.
The "darn shame" part: it's a really, really nice looking 1911 Bb bass. I think it's about 95% perfect, with a bit of pitting and scratching on the bow guard. I'm pretty sure it has an automatic octave key. However, it's high pitch. That's why you didn't get bids, dude!
Here's the "really interesting" part: as mentioned, it's from 1911. It's engraved "CG Conn, LTD." That name didn't come into existence until Carl Greenleaf bought the company in 1915. It should be engraved just, "CG Conn." It looks like a Wonder Improved model. (You can argue it's a New Invention model. I don't mind.) It's got the Union label. No pearls (i.e. the reason why I think it's probably just a Wonder model). My opinion is that the school wanted a high pitch horn and CG Conn, LTD didn't have any New Wonder basses around, so they sold a "new, old stock" or something like that.
I also noted that the horn doesn't have a Bb "bis" key. I took a look at the New Wonder basses I have pix of and some do and some don't, even from the same years, so either it was an option from the factory (probably) or they were all added aftermarket. Maybe the bis key became standard when Conn switched from the "straight neck" to the curved one. I know I've mentioned the date when that occurred, but I don't remember it, ATM. I don't remember if the bass I played about 30 years ago had a bis key, but I remember the curved neck. Hey, I was more concerned about trying to make it play in tune.
The "darn shame" part: it's a really, really nice looking 1911 Bb bass. I think it's about 95% perfect, with a bit of pitting and scratching on the bow guard. I'm pretty sure it has an automatic octave key. However, it's high pitch. That's why you didn't get bids, dude!
Here's the "really interesting" part: as mentioned, it's from 1911. It's engraved "CG Conn, LTD." That name didn't come into existence until Carl Greenleaf bought the company in 1915. It should be engraved just, "CG Conn." It looks like a Wonder Improved model. (You can argue it's a New Invention model. I don't mind.) It's got the Union label. No pearls (i.e. the reason why I think it's probably just a Wonder model). My opinion is that the school wanted a high pitch horn and CG Conn, LTD didn't have any New Wonder basses around, so they sold a "new, old stock" or something like that.
I also noted that the horn doesn't have a Bb "bis" key. I took a look at the New Wonder basses I have pix of and some do and some don't, even from the same years, so either it was an option from the factory (probably) or they were all added aftermarket. Maybe the bis key became standard when Conn switched from the "straight neck" to the curved one. I know I've mentioned the date when that occurred, but I don't remember it, ATM. I don't remember if the bass I played about 30 years ago had a bis key, but I remember the curved neck. Hey, I was more concerned about trying to make it play in tune.