The Ultimate Vintage Tenor Saxophone Guide, Part 4: Conn New Wonder I and Conn 16M

[@joewhiting9038]

It's about time the Conn 16M got it's 'props'. My 1963 16M that I've had since new is still my horn of choice. I also have a Naked Lady from 1937 and a 10M underslung octave model from 1962. All fine horns. I even bought a 1964 16M as a 'road horn'. Great video David !

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

Thank you for your feedback!!! I just simply can confirm your experience, I will release a video with two Conn 10M from 1935 and 1969, both are great horns!

[@robertgerard7055]

I played a 16M in my youth, then bought a Selmer Superaction. After some years I took the 16M from its case, just for comparisson. I was highly surprised: the 16m sounded somewhat different, but as good as my expensive Selmer.

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

These Conn 16Ms can definitely stand a comparison, different but still quite good, agree totally!

[@olaflangness2907]

Unboxed my first saxophone yesterday (a 1959 Conn 16M tenor serial number 833144). This video, and others on vintage saxophones, made me want to get a Buescher or Conn. The 16M was the student sax of my youth, and quite affordable for a beginner on a pension like myself. The sax came with an unmarked mouthpiece that is nearly identical to the Clark W. Fobes Debut that I bought to practice on three months ago. Fobes stated that he was modeling his beginner mouthpiece on the old Otto Link 5. I was wondering if you might know what mouthpiece was originally sold with these old Conn 16Ms? I think the Otto Links were made in Elkhart, Indiana, so I would not be surprised to find that they were suppliers for Conn.

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

Congratulations to this sax-mpc-combo, you can’t get it better :-)

[@Capajazz]

Ciao David, great video thanks!

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

My pleasure, Tommaso!!!

[@ricaard]

Nice playing, you make that 16m sound like a pro horn! 🎷

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

Thank you and yes of course, because I’m a professional player :-) but the 16M still got the potential being played like this, too!

[@ricaard]

@@Official_David_Milzow_Music I'm looking at acquiring one, so I'm glad to hear what it's capable of!

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

Go for it, thumbs up!

[@Jazzznbluezzz1]

Great video presentation of the NW and 16M. Great saxophones. You really nail the Lester Young and Chu Berry sound and playing styles. As a Conn player myself for decades now I might be biased a little but I am totally hooked on the tone. Have a '24 `NW myself and I consider it to be some sort of Transitional to the NW II as it has the newer palm keys upgrade already. The serial #144XXX comes pretty close to Lesters too. However it is no guarantee I instantly sound like him. You do! I am surprised about the 16M. It sounds really good. I never tried one though. Maybe I should some day. Btw I reckon that is a Link you play ?

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

Thank you so much for your comment, makes me really proud and happy- this is the reason why I make these vids, doing it for the people who enjoy the sounds and styles of these instruments!!!

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

Yes, the 16M is really undererrated. I play here an EB- Otto Link, 10star with Rigotti Jazz No. 4 1/2 M reeds.

[@unfinished93]

I started with 16m, was my first horn. Very free blowing and convenient. Too bad I sold it.

[@Jazzznbluezzz1]

@@Official_David_Milzow_Music Thank you very much for sharing. Wow! That is quite a solid setup you play with. But it sure pays off and sounds fantastic.

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

Thank you so much! My pleasure!

[@liammalone9263]

I inherited my 16m from a player who liked it enough to never replace it

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

He knew why ;-)

[@MrBoybergs]

Very interesting video. Very Prez like tone. You seem to be using a heavy resistance reed/Link setup. I go the opposite way (Tone Edge 8.5 but with Rico 2s). Isn't it really hard work with such resistance?

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

Thank you very much for your comments! Indeed I play my heavy setup first of all for my own musical needs, not just for covering Lester Young’s style, but it’s flexible enough to play in very different directions. Just check out the Chu Berry- Style or my funky “Chicken” later in the same video.

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

About your question about the hard work: I think that’s a very personal aspect of how you feel during your playing. Using this setup over decades now I feel comfortable :-) because it fits to my physics and musical style.

[@richardsteinberg7654]

Nice

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

Cool

[@richardsteinberg7654]

I think my previous question was pointless; but I think investigation without self incrimination, possibly is the answer for me.

[@melron1000]

Great video. I play a 1967 Conn 10m and its a great horn. Played a 16m while in school and was very comfortable with the key work, which most people don't care for. I have never played the older Conn's and wondered what the key work was like. I was interested on your thoughts on the new wonder II and the 10m's in comparison. Thanks for your insight on these great horns!

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

Thank you so much for your comment! Very soon I will post a Conn 10M from 35 and 67 too!!! I really enjoy also the later Conns!!!

[@AFN2750]

Chi berry is actually the new wonder II, sometimes some early transitionals

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

And actually very often used for late new wonder 1, too

[@AFN2750]

@@Official_David_Milzow_Music I mean, maybe, but it’s not even close to accurate. Chu played a transitional. IIs get swept up in it pretty often, but the 1 is not even close

[@joegreen4089]

Chu Berry generally refers to the new wonder II with the nail file G# although it would more correctly refer to the transitional models that he played. Rarely the new Wonder I models are called pre-chu berry

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

As I said it in the video!

[@hobongsaxophone2406]

🎷❤

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

My pleasure, the next Vintage-Tenorguide is in preparation!

[@ize1000009]

Have you also tried some vintage East German saxophones? What do you think of those?

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

To be honest, I can’t understand why you ask for DDR-Saxes in a Conn-Sax-Review.

[@ize1000009]

@@Official_David_Milzow_Music From what I’ve heard and read, they were mostly based on Conn, Beuecher designs. In this series you talked about the those vintage Conn, Beuecher, King saxophones. There isn’t any other video or KZbinr talking about them. You are based in Germany, so probably you have a higher chance of encountering those vintage German saxophones than any of the english speaking KZbinrs. Also you have had experience with a lot of vintage American saxophones too, so your comments could be really valuable and insightful, comparing them. Also there isn’t really an appropriate video about vintage german saxes, so there isn’t really a place where one could ask such questions.

[@luciddreamer6000]

Conn stopped RTH in 1948.

[@Official_David_Milzow_Music]

That’s right.