1954 Conn 12B in raw Brass and Copper Start Price USD 450.00 Current Price USD 520.00 Time Left - Bid Count 3 Buy It Now Price USD 750.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, November 17, 2008 End Time Monday, November 24, 2008 Location Las Vegas, Nv See more about '1954 Conn 12B in raw Brass and Copper' Description I bought this little beauty a few months back. Serial number is 382157 placing it in 1954. This is a 100% original conn 12B. These horns have the #1 bore like the 22B. The only difference between the 2 is the coprion bell. I received this horn with about 20% of the lacquer left on it. What was left was flaking very badly. I opted to remove the remaining finish, lightly polish the metal, and leave it raw. There is some slight etching in places, but most are the regular hand holds. None of these areas have been sanded out or thoroughly polished. The idea was to keep as much of the metal there as I could. All dents have been removed, and there are no signs of there ever having been any re solders or bad dents removed. As I said, I received it with the original finish and there were no signs of scars or anything. The bell has never been crushed or anything weird like that. The engraving is still razor sharp!!! The valves are still very quick and have good compression. Comes in the original case with a conn 3 mouthpiece. A very good example, and its even cheap! Here is what the Conn Loyalist had to say about these instruments: Notice the Coprion bell. The 12B is the coprion version of the venerable 22B. The coprion bell improves projection and darkens the sound somewhat. Also notice that the third slide finger ring on this instrument is fixed, not adjustable. When it first came out the 12B was apparently featured by the entire trumpet section of the Jimmy Lunceford orchestra. I also read that Bunny Berigan used it for the sound track of the 1942 movie "Syncopation". There is a question as to the year in which production of the 12B started. The Conn trumpet model number index on R. Jones' website indicates 1938. Conn documentation says the Coprion process was invented in 1938. I have come into possession of a Conn trumpets and cornets brochure dated April 1938; it doesn't list the 12B. All this suggests a start date for the 12B of 1938. Nevertheless, 12B's with a 1937 serial number appear regularly. I have developed the following theory about that: Conn, in my experience, had the habit of producing large numbers of a new model during the year in which it first became available (for example: ever notice how many of the 10B Victors you see around are 1956 models?). Since the 12B is essentially a 22B New York Symphony with a Coprion bell, it isn't unreasonable to assume that in 1938 Conn used partially assembled 22B's it had, with 1937 serial numbers, and added a Coprion bell to make a 12B. It would be interesting to see if these 1937 12B's have "2 2 B" stamped underneath the mouthpiece receiver, which would confirm this theory. If true, this might also explain why the Conn trumpet model number index on R. Jones' website incorrectly lists the 12B as the "New York Symphony". In 1955 Conn gave the 12B Coprion the same treatment as the 22B New York Symphony, renamed the 22B Victor. However, while the 22B was produced for many years after 1955 in only slightly changed form, the 1955 12B was dropped after 1955 in favor of the 10B Victor. See 1955 12B Coprion. What Conn said in 1939: Built in small bore, but the seamless bell of Coprion gives it the power you would expect only from larger bore. Ease of playing, beauty of tone, accuracy of scale and amazing flexibility. Impossible to overblow or crack a note. Patented Clickless Crysteel valves.Payment within 10 days of auction close. Buyer is responsible for shipping and import fees. International buyers welcome. Place a Bid!