Conn Transitional Tenor 247xxx Burnished Gold Art Deco

Description

This is a super-rare example of a burnished gold Conn 247xxx transitional tenor saxophone with full art deco engraving on the bell. The burnished gold Conns were the top finish offered at this time, and they are ridiculously rare. I know of three or four in existence, and a few other matte gold transitionals, but we are talking about very small numbers here. This horn has been played and played because it is an exceedingly good player with pure 30’s jazz power in ample supply.

It has a fresh, $1500 full mechanical overhaul with black RooPads and metal resonators, done by Jared Bufe in Chicago. Jared is one of the best repair techs in the country, and he is so in demand that he rarely takes new customers these days. This horn comes from the collection of one of his old customers who recently had this overhaul done.

This horn is not in mint condition – you can see wear to the plating on touch points and on the bell, and down to the brass by the lower thumb hook. There are a few resoldered spots as well, including the low Eb keycage and the neck octave key saddle. Nevertheless, it remains one of the more beautiful saxophones that I have seen, and it looks better in person than in the photos.

If you are looking for a saxophone that is super-resonant, has a huuuge sound, tons of mojo, and that rare/collectible/investment factor, and is also very beautiful and it top top playing condition, then this could be the horn for you. If it suddenly disappears, that is because I am strongly tempted to keep this one.