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Topics - 350 Rocket

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Make and Model lists and research / Interesting plastic Conn
« on: September 06, 2023, 06:11:08 PM »
This is a bit of a strange one. It's plastic, with a brushed finish. The Conn logo stamping has the four-pointed star and wreath that was used from 1964-69, but without the model number beneath it. The serial number is stamped high on the lower joint, and isn't a Conn serial. The keywork definitely isn't 1960s Conn - but it sure looks the same as that of the oldest Artley 18S I could find on eBay (which also has its serial number stamped high on the lower joint instead of at the bottom). It also has a very un-Conn-like .580" bore. The serial number would fall in 1972 for Artley.

So, for the most part, this makes sense - it's almost certainly a 1972 Artley with the old Conn logo stamped on it.

But... why? And what model? The October 1971 Conn price list has four soprano clarinets: The Artley 18S Prelude, Conn 17N Director, 38N Connstellation, and 78N Connquest. The 17N was a wood model in the '60s, so unless they immediately reused the model number, it isn't that. Conventional wisdom was always that there were no Conn clarinets after the Elkhart factory was closed, but the price list refutes that.

On the off chance someone out there has more information than what I could figure out, that'd be appreciated - but regardless, whatever this is, if they built one they probably made more, so I might as well post it here for the sake of those who might have one of the others and be connfused as to what it is.

(Also: too bad the H-ligature is cracked...)

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All about Clarinets / Conn bore question
« on: November 05, 2017, 06:29:53 PM »
There's something I've long wondered about Conn clarinets. I have three Conn student models (1958 composite 14N or 50N, 1961 wood 18N, and a 1964 16N) and all three have a bore diameter of .605" at the top of the upper joint and .590" at the bottom. However, while the barrels are .590" at the top they're no more than .585" at the bottom. When assembled there is a visible "step" in the bore where the barrel meets the upper joint. The 16N's barrel is definitely original, the other two can't be positively confirmed but the socket rings match.

What is this considered? Reverse taper? Polycylindrical? What's the reason for an immediate .020" or so difference where the barrel and upper joint meet?

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