When looking for a new trumpet, it can be overwhelming to see all of the different brands on the market. Conn is one of the oldest trumpet manufacturers, but are their instruments worth buying?
Here is a complete overview of Conn trumpets to see if they are high-quality instruments:
Here’s an idea of the Quality of Conn Trumpets:
Conn-Selmer instruments are frequently praised for their dedication to quality. The Prelude TR711 and the Conn52BSP CONNstellation series are two of their trumpet models which are easy to play and responsive, with great tone.
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A Brief History of Conn Trumpets:
In 1873, Charles Gerard Conn created his first brass mouthpiece.
After a few short years, he began making and selling his brass instruments, leading to the largest American manufacturer of musical instruments today, Conn-Selmer.
Although very few instruments are still being made under the original name Conn, their merge with the H&A Selmer Company allowed many brands to come together under one name. Conn-Selmer currently manufactures instruments from Armstrong, Bach Brass, C.G. Conn, King, and many more.
Trumpets with the Conn name are still well-known for their quality. Models like the Prelude TR711 and the Conn 52BSP CONNstellation are familiar favorites among trumpet players of all ages.
The Conn 52BSP costs around $1,800. It is an expensive trumpet because of its professional features and its status as an intermediate model.
However, the Prelude TR711 is a much cheaper trumpet. On Woodwind and Brasswind, this costs around $430 to buy new.
How Hard or Easy Are Conn Trumpets To Play?
Conn trumpets are notorious for being easy to play.
The Prelude TR711 specifically was created for beginners. New students on the trumpet will find that they can easily create a nice, warm tone.
The response time is also very quick, benefitting beginners in their learning process.
The Conn 52BSP Connstellation series is known for being fun to play and responsive. It has a dark, focused sound with clear overtones. Any player can have a consistently great tone on this trumpet.
However, the Conn52BSP will have more resistance than the Prelude. Some reviewers mention that it could be more free-blowing. It was created as a professional instrument for intermediate players, requiring more skill and experience than a beginner trumpet.
What Genres Are They Good For?
Conn manufactures instruments that are ideal for all genres and performance levels.
Their Prelude TR711 is a solid beginner trumpet with a warm sound that easily blends into ensembles. Many beginner trumpet players have found that their quick response, great tone, and quality construction allow them to succeed in concert and solo settings.
The Conn 52BSP CONNstellation series is a professional-level instrument that is marketed toward intermediate players. It is one of the most versatile trumpets that an intermediate player can buy.
It was constructed with many professional features that allow younger players to have a controlled, brilliant sound. This is perfect for learning music in intermediate concert bands, jazz bands, and even marching bands.
With a Conn 52BSP, trumpet players find that they can play any music. By changing to a different mouthpiece to achieve a new style, a student can effectively use this horn to benefit their musical learning.
How Long Do Conn Trumpets Last?
There are some drawbacks to buying a new Conn trumpet.
Some reviewers have mentioned that the quality of their valve system has decreased over the years. This may lead to the trumpets lasting for a shorter time.
What Do the Reviews Say?
After checking the reviews on three different online retailers, here’s what they had to say:
Woodwind and Brasswind Reviews:
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On Woodwind and Brasswind, a frequently used website to buy instruments, the Prelude by Conn Selmer TR711 student trumpet has very positive reviews.
No reviews were below 4 stars on the site. The majority of players left a five-star review.
One of the researchers’ common benefits is that the Prelude by Conn Selmer is a great instrument for beginners. It is inexpensive but still has a high-quality construction and sound.
The lowest rating was a four-star review. This buyer claimed that the trumpet’s case is not big enough to fit a cleaning kit or mutes. There is only enough space for the trumpet, mouthpiece, and valve oil.
For beginners, this shouldn’t be a problem. Because this trumpet was designed for beginner students, having a smaller case is not a big issue.
Overall, reviewers loved this instrument. Although the price tag is low, the Prelude by Conn-Selmer is a great instrument.
Amazon Reviews:
The Prelude TR711 has many good reviews on Amazon.
Out of all its ratings, this trumpet has an average of 3.8 stars out of 5.
46% of reviewers left a five-star rating. These buyers mentioned that this trumpet has great value for its price. For an entry-level player, you can’t get a much better instrument with the same cost.
One trumpet player claimed they bought other beginner trumpets by Mendini and Eastrock, but neither compared to the Prelude.
Some positive reviews mention that the Prelude has valves and slides that function very well. The lacquer has a nice shine, and the trumpet produces a good tone.
It’s important to note that there were some negative reviews as well. Some trumpet players claim that this Prelude needed a lot of frequent polishing and repairs. For certain people, the valves tended to stick or click over time.
Musician’s Friend Reviews:
On Musician’s Friend, there was a mix of positive and negative reviews.
The average star review was about 3.6 out of 5 stars. 71% found that they would recommend the Prelude to a friend.
The Prelude received a few positive comments, with reviewers saying it was easy to produce a sound, fun to play, and responsive. The tone was described as consistent and vibrant.
A few negative comments mentioned valves that are slow to respond. Certain models had blemishes and discoloration in the finish.
How Well Do Conn Trumpets Hold Their Value?
You can regularly find vintage Conn trumpets for sale on sites like eBay.
Because Charles Gerard Conn started making brass instruments in 1879, Conn trumpets have been on the market for a long time and hold their value well.
The Conn 22B was produced in 1955 and is respected within the trumpet community. Players regularly purchase this vintage horn today because of its long-lasting high quality.
These vintage trumpets may have some dents or dings from years of use, but these are great horns as long as there isn’t significant damage.
Even though a Conn 22B has been played for years, it still retains a warm, rich tone that is distinctive. When it comes to vintage horns, this model is a great choice that won’t break the bank.
To hear a review of a Conn 22B, check out this video:
Buying a pre-owned instrument does come with some risks.
You may not notice serious mechanical issues as you cannot play on a used trumpet before you buy it.
Vintage Conn trumpets have been played for many years, so that they will come with wear and tear. It’s important to inspect the seller’s pictures for any noticeable damage and message them with any questions.
How Long is the Warranty on Conn Trumpets?
Conn Selmer is an instrument manufacturer that oversees many different instrument brands. Within Conn Selmer, there is a variety of different brands with their warranties.
Under Conn Selmer, C.G. Conn instruments have a warranty of five years. This is the same amount of time as Armstrong, Selmer USA, Vincent Bach, and King, which all fall under the Conn Selmer brand.
For Prelude instruments, the warranty only lasts for one year.
Within this warranty, Conn Selmer guarantees that its instruments are free from defects, both in material and workmanship. This does not include any natural wear and tear that comes from consistent playing.
What Gear Do You Get With a Conn Trumpet?
Conn trumpets come with a Bach 7C mouthpiece and a nylon zippered case.
When buying a vintage Conn trumpet, you may receive the trumpet and a hard case.
Final Thoughts:
Conn is an instrument brand that has existed for many years.
Although it has merged with other brands to become Conn-Selmer, it still produces many high-quality instruments.
Two trumpets still retain the Conn name, the Prelude TR711 and the Conn52BSP CONNstellation series.
Although these are ideal for different performance levels, they each effectively produce a consistent, warm sound that suits many styles of music.