WTB: Conn 88HCL or 88 w/ sterling bell

JasonDonnelly · by **JasonDonnelly** » 2022-01-01 3:20 a.m.

Had two potential sales fall through, so wanted to put out a feeler. Let me know if you've got something that matches the description. Looking for a Lindberg model or any Conn 88 with a sterling silver bell.

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2022-01-01 7:18 a.m.

Conn hasn't offered a sterling silver bell other than custom work before World War II. The Conn solid silver bell was electroformed pure silver. If that's what you are looking for, great.

sstelmack · by **sstelmack** » 2022-01-01 8:34 a.m.

There is an 88HSO on Reverb right now that the bell says Sterling on.

meine · by **meine** » 2022-01-01 9:08 a.m.

[quote="BGuttman"]Conn hasn't offered a sterling silver bell other than custom work before World War II. The Conn solid silver bell was electroformed pure silver. If that's what you are looking for, great.[/quote]

Conn introduced the sterling silver bell around 2000/2001 with the gen II 88H. They have stamped the sterling sign on the bell, some near the engraving, some on the stem. IMO the best tenor trombones ever made.

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2022-01-01 9:52 a.m.

Thank you. I stand corrected.

OneTon · by **OneTon** » 2022-01-01 10:30 a.m.

Conn sterling bells fall under the endangered species act. I understand there’s a hefty fine for hitting one with a car.

meine · by **meine** » 2022-01-01 11:26 a.m.

Sadly yes, finding one used is just luck.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2022-01-01 6:31 p.m.

Technically still made. I remember when these were less than $4000:

https://www.hickeys.com/search/products/sku043889.php

Elow · by **Elow** » 2022-01-01 10:00 p.m.

<LINK_TEXT text="https://reverb.com/item/45529708-conn-8 ... t=45529708">https://reverb.com/item/45529708-conn-88hso-trombone-outfit-used?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=45529708</LINK_TEXT>

3k

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2022-01-01 10:53 p.m.

Is it that hard? I know 4 or 5 people in my local area with them. One of the most common large tenors.

TheFilthOfFrank · by **TheFilthOfFrank** » 2022-01-01 10:55 p.m.

I'm thinking that they're not that common overseas.

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2022-01-01 11:05 p.m.

[quote="TheFilthOfFrank"]I'm thinking that they're not that common overseas.[/quote]

Jason is in Indiana!

TheFilthOfFrank · by **TheFilthOfFrank** » 2022-01-01 11:18 p.m.

Hmm wonder why he has his location marked in Japan :lol:

TheFilthOfFrank · by **TheFilthOfFrank** » 2022-01-01 11:20 p.m.

Or I could be looking at the wrong person all together. Who knows? :idk:

tomato · by **tomato** » 2022-01-02 12:06 a.m.

the was one at Baltimore brass excellent condition you need to talk to them :hi:

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2022-01-02 12:16 a.m.

There is so much misinformation in this thread that it's comical lol

Matt_K · by **Matt_K** » 2022-01-02 8:03 a.m.

https://xkcd.com/1053/

JasonDonnelly · by **JasonDonnelly** » 2022-01-02 7:41 p.m.

[quote="Burgerbob"]Is it that hard? I know 4 or 5 people in my local area with them. One of the most common large tenors.[/quote]

There are a lot of them out there. I just had an absolute steal on one a few months ago but the seller backed out at the last minute and decided to keep it instead. So, I'm looking for another steal, I guess.

OneTon · by **OneTon** » 2022-01-02 9:48 p.m.

[quote="Burgerbob"]Is it that hard? I know 4 or 5 people in my local area with them. One of the most common large tenors.[/quote]

I may have seen one sterling bell 88H at the most in 50 years in the Midwest. For that matter, I have only seen one or two brass bell 88H trombones in the Midwest. The distribution of outlier options may depend on what dealers push and in smaller markets, what a local leader uses. If more King 2b and 3b trombones were sold with sterling bells the 88h’s, it could be due partially to the existence of more paying gigs in commercial work. We may have the situation where five blind men are describing an elephant.

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2022-01-02 9:51 p.m.

That could be true. I wouldn't say they're rare, though. I've seen at least a half dozen for sale on Facebook in the last couple years. I've seen more brass bell 88Hs, but maybe only two or three times as many.

OneTon · by **OneTon** » 2022-01-02 9:58 p.m.

Trombone Chat is a good place to look for something out of the ordinary.

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WTB: Conn 88HCL or 88 w/ sterling bell