Conn 6M Alto Sax
Our Perspective:
This is very nice Conn 6M Naked Lady Alto Saxophone. The Serial #M275171A indicates that the saxophone was built in 1936. The original lacquer is in good shape., with wear, which is expected from an instrument this old. The original neck is in great shape with the “underslung” octave key mechanism. We believe the mouthpiece is original , but the cap and ligature are more recent. This Alto Sax is marked "L" for "Low Pitch".
We just serviced this sax at our shop for basic play condition. This saxophone can be played as is, but could use a complete overhaul/Repad, for perfect playability.
Consignment Sale, as such, All Sales Final!!
The Conn Artist ("Naked Lady") - (from the internet.)
There was some experimentation with different keyguards for the tenor and different microtuner-neck and over-the-top neck octave key designs for the alto, but the design of the 6/10/12M remained essentially the same from 1935 to 1959.
I have at least one example of the 6M model VIII, featured in the Gallery. This is supposed to be the best version of the 6M, as are horns produced with an "x" before or after the serial number. The former is a horn with a moderately modified neck design and is generally accepted as the best model of the 6M. The latter is generally considered to be an eXperimental design (additional keywork, or vents, bore, etc.). There are also horns that feature the standard "over the top" octave key design -- referred to as a "New York Style" neck.
ALL the same pitches that were available during the age of the New Wonder were available through the Artist years, excepting the Sarrusophone, C soprano and straight soprano, it seems (the F instruments and C melody were available up until the start of WWII in 1941). However, horns other than the alto, tenor and baritone were essentially "factory original" New Wonder horns with different engraving and possibly keywork modifications -- and were special order, only. I have, at least, seen the bass in some 1960's catalogs and advertisements.
"Naked Lady" Time Line
1935: The 6M design was finalized toward the end of the Transitional period and the 12M design was finalized even earlier -- though both horns did have minor keywork changes -- but the tenor wasn't finalized until about s/n 263xxx, when its bell keys were switched to the RH side of the horn. This change announced the coming of Conn's most famous series of horns: the M series or "Naked Lady" model (so named for the engraving of a nude female portrait in a pentagon on the bell). According to later Conn catalogs (after 1959), these horns are officially called the "Artist" or "Standard" model, but "Naked Lady" is the most commonly used name people use.
1935/6 (around s/n 270xxx): Coinciding with the introduction of the 26M, the underslung octave key on the 6M alto is discontinued. It is brought back the next year,1936. The "over-the-top" octave key ("New York Style Neck") appears to then remain a custom option throughout the life of the 6M.
SOLD AS IS, NO RETURNS.
