Conn 8H bell - fair price

marccromme · by **marccromme** » 2020-09-05 3:29 p.m.

I have the oppertunity to buy an Elkhard Conn 8H bell with matching tuning slide. It is yellowish brass, the darker laquer mostly intact, a few scratches, some dings from stands and mutes. No dents, except an expertly removed, almost not visible dent in the bow of the tuning slide. Bell only, no case, no slide.

I plan to pair it with a new Conn SL27/47 slide with three leadpipes, or maybe a used Conn 52H slide, if I can find one.

The question is, what would an average price be for such a bell only? What does your experience say?

Do other slide brands than Conn 88H, 8H or 52H match the threads and conus of this bell?

Thanks for your input !

paulyg · by **paulyg** » 2020-09-05 8:56 p.m.

In my limited experience, expect to take a 30%-50% hit when trying to sell half a horn (unless it's part of a modular brand to begin with). I.e., if the horn were worth $1300 (like a nice 8H), half of that is $650- so the bell alone is worth about $400, realistically.

As far as matching threads, Getzen (NOT Edwards) threads will match. A wide slide off of a 3047 might be a neat fit for the bell.

Thrawn22 · by **Thrawn22** » 2020-09-05 9:03 p.m.

I'd have to see a pic. Especially if it's a yellowish bell (assuming i read correctly). Paulygs' estimates sound reasonable.

On slide pairings, i bought a 68' 8H and while mostly unused, its slide sounded terrible with its bell. I put my modern 8H slide on it and it sounds fantastic. I finally got a S2547 slide and it too sounds fantastic with the 68' bell section. That combination is what i exclusively play on right now.

If you don't dig the bell i may be interested?

mrdeacon · by **mrdeacon** » 2020-09-06 12:10 a.m.

Yellowish? You sure that's not a 78h bell?

Elow · by **Elow** » 2020-09-06 12:23 a.m.

My 71H slide fits on my edwards, at least the threads do. The taper isn’t the same so i have to tighten it a good bit.

marccromme · by **marccromme** » 2020-09-06 10:16 a.m.

Thanks for the good feedback! I did not on purpose boost my intended max price, which was about 470 us dollar. Thanks for the confirmation, and good to know that a modern Conn SL2547 works good, and that Getzen slides match. Always appreciated the help of this fine community!

marccromme · 2020-09-06 10:22 a.m.

[quote="mrdeacon"]Yellowish? You sure that's not a 78h bell?[/quote]

Not shure if it's the laquer that makes it appear darkish yellowish, or the alloy itself. Resembles a King in color, but with clearly thinner and less scratch resistance lacquer. Does not appear to be rose brass or red brass, just darkish yellow. Unfortunately, I have no picture.

How would I distinguish a 8H bell from a 78H ? Only the diameter difference between 8 and 8,5 ", or any engravings?

marccromme · by **marccromme** » 2020-09-06 11:17 a.m.

Would a Getzen Eterna 1036 0,525 or a Getzen Capri 525 dual bore 0,525/0,547 or a Getzen 725 dual bore slide also fit the Conn 8H bell?

marccromme · by **marccromme** » 2020-09-08 6:10 p.m.

Thanks for the info, unfortunately the seller, a shop in DK, wants the equivalent of 1,100.- US for the bell and case allone, which makes it less interesting.

ChadA · by **ChadA** » 2020-09-08 8:00 p.m.

A few years ago, I paid around $1200 for an Elkhart 8H bell section that looks nearly new and plays great. It had its original case in good shape and a 90s era 525/547 slide in good shape. $1100 for bell and case seems too high.

hyperbolica · by **hyperbolica** » 2020-09-08 10:14 p.m.

Yeah, there's a huge difference between retail used prices and buying from an individual. Sometimes you pay a "location surcharge " if for example you buy from a shop that pays rent in NY.

The 88h and 78h differ in bell size and tenon size. Also the tuning slides are not compatible. The 88h TS is about 1/4" wider than the 78h. You might have a hard time seeing these differences just by eye. A 78h slide is noticably wider. There shouldn't be any difference in the engraving unless the 88 is post 1970s. Post Elkhart 78h exist, but they are not that common.

djkennedy · by **djkennedy** » 2020-09-09 12:19 p.m.

Once upon a time I bought an 8H

In mint c or e series

The flare was plain no engraving

?????????????

So I called Bob Hester

Oooooooooo Boy !!!!!!

You got a Minick bell !!!!!

djkennedy · by **djkennedy** » 2020-09-09 12:22 p.m.

This bell no ring a ding very even

Middle not too thin not too thick

Incredible !!!!!!!!!!!!!

marccromme · by **marccromme** » 2020-09-10 5:05 p.m.

To make it more fun, I got quoted a price equivalent of 2770 USD for new Conn SL2547 slide assembly to go with the bell. Dealer said that this quote comes straight from the European importer. So, a used Elkhart bell 8H as is, not renovated, a used case and a new SL2547 slide for the total of 3870 USD. WOW!

I think I can find a better place to use my spare Hagmann section coming from a Besson Sovereign BE-944R.

Quick Links

Instruments

Marketplace

Conn 8H bell - fair price