Contrabass Digest

To subscribe or unsubscribe, email gdgreen@contrabass.com

 
 

2000-04-02

 
From: LeliaLoban@aol.com
Date: Sun, 2 Apr 2000 11:32:45 EDT
Subject: [CB] C. G. Conn Helicon FS
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

Rescue needed for a large, silver-plated C. G. Conn helicon....  It's for
sale at the Georgetown flea market on Wisconsin Avenue, in the Georgetown
section of Washington, D.C.  The silver is so tarnished that I'm not sure
whether or not it has gold wash in the bell and I'm not positive I could read
the serial number correctly, but I believe it's 170375, which would mean this
bass horn dates from 1920-21.  The dealer was asking $450 but came down to
$350 without prompting when I showed an interest.  I explained that I don't
play the tuba and I did no further bartering, so if anyone's interested, have
at it.

The engraving in the center of a floral design, reads:

Made By
C. G. Conn Ltd.
Elkhart
Ind

That's the good news.  The bad news:  This is a fixer-upper.  *No mouthpipe,
no mouthpiece, no case.*  I asked the dealer if he has them.  No.  Several
dents look to me as if they will have to be removed, since they protrude into
the windway.  The valves, which have pearl key caps, appear from the outside
to be intact (I didn't try to remove them), but not in working order now.  On
the long place where the narrow part of the horn is soldered against the
wider part, near the bell (I don't know the correct terminology for
helicons), the solder has completely popped loose, so this horn is in
flexible, fragile condition right now and could easily get twisted on the way
to and from the flea market.  The horn is propped precariously against some
chairs, partly obstructing the aisle, on asphalt pavement, so this is a big
*Ouch!* waiting to happen and definitely a "Buyer Beware" deal.

Since the helicon was still there at 10 a.m., I think it may not sell today.
You might contact the dealer, who is a cabinet maker:

Dean C. Perkins
Tree Spirit Tables
P. O. Box 396
12102 Main Street
Libertytown MD  21762
301-898-1461
www.treespirittables.com

Hope someone from the list wants to rescue this formerly-fine beast before
something worse happens to it....

Lelia
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message.
---------------------------------------------------------

From: "Spencer Parks" <ilylamp@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 02 Apr 2000 11:43:23 CDT
Subject: Re: [CB] A LIST?
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

Spencer James Parks
(bass sax, djembe, baritone sax [when it's there])
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

***End of Contrabass Digest***


 
Next Digest ->
Previous Digest <-
Index
Top