Can't date my Conn 88H from serial number. Help?

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true2bsu
Posts: 15
Joined: Feb 05, 2024

by true2bsu »

I have a wonderful Conn 88H trombone. I would love to know how old it is, but the serial numbers that I find on it don't make sense. There is a serial number on the brace where the F-attachment trigger is braced. it is 6-digits and is 1343XX which according to the list at conn-selmer.com would put it as a 1913 horn. I know that's not right. There are matching numbers on the slide inner and outer, but I think those are just pairing numbers. What do you who know more than me think? I've included my 1952 King 2B-SS in the picture just because it's a very cool horn. Well, it's not really mine, but on loan from the local community college. I'm trying to talk them into selling it to me.
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harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed »

Based on the engraving, looks to be an early 2000s Eastlake.
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tbonesullivan
Posts: 1959
Joined: Jul 02, 2019

by tbonesullivan »

Any chance that there is one or two more numbers before the start of the serial number? Maybe lightly struck or worn?
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Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

Yup, it's a relatively modern Gen II. Not much more to tell than that.
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true2bsu
Posts: 15
Joined: Feb 05, 2024

by true2bsu »

[quote="tbonesullivan"]Any chance that there is one or two more numbers before the start of the serial number? Maybe lightly struck or worn?[/quote]

I wish there were. You're referring to the prefix numbers to which you add 50? The six numbers are pretty clearly stamped.
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BGuttman
Posts: 7368
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by BGuttman »

King rolled over their serial numbers in the mid 1990's going from 999999 to 100000. If this 88H is Eastlake, perhaps it got a King number?
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bstrmbn
Posts: 7
Joined: Mar 14, 2022

by bstrmbn »

Hah!

I've got the same issue - I have an open-wrap 88H with the same bell engraving, serial number is 954521.
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true2bsu
Posts: 15
Joined: Feb 05, 2024

by true2bsu »

[quote="BGuttman"]King rolled over their serial numbers in the mid 1990's going from 999999 to 100000. If this 88H is Eastlake, perhaps it got a King number?[/quote]

This is the most probably idea I've heard and it explains both of these serial numbers.

Thanks!
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OneTon
Posts: 757
Joined: Nov 02, 2021

by OneTon »

Conn is notorious for stamping the wrong model number in horns and light stamping. It is no surprise that the would mix up a serial number.
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greenbean
Posts: 1958
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by greenbean »

The serial # is not very important in the case of this horn. Numerous features tell us that it is a Gen II horn made in the past 25-ish years, as mentioned above. Very good horns! Much better valve than older 88H's.