Up for auction, a beautiful 1966 C. G. CONN - 17A "DIRECTOR" COPRION MODEL -LARGE BORE Bb CORNET WITH A CUSTOM SATIN/POLISHED FINISH IN EXCELLENT PLUS CONDITION

I've been playing horns for 52 years, collecting and restoring them for 41 years.  Over those years I put together a nationally recognized trumpet/ cornet collection that topped out at 145 horns.  During the past three years I have substantially thinned out the herd and continue to do so.  All my horns are gig ready...cleaned, valves adjusted & aligned and with new corks & felts when necessary.

Here's a wonderful example of a 17A Coprion Director model...a beautifully preserved, 42 year old original time capsule that is straight with no dents, dings nor sign of repairs.  The 17A Director is the Coprion belled version of the 15A Director.  Director's are some of the finest student horns ever produced...built like battleships and meant to last a couple of lifetimes.  They play as well as many current entry level pro horns with a sweet, mellow and dark tonality thanks to the SEAMLESS, 100% copper (Coprion) bell.  It produces a darker and more centered tone than a brass bell.  A pure copper bell took eight times longer to build than a standard bell.  A pure copper bell produces significantly increased directional projection and tonal color remains the same no matter how loud you play...in other words, the horn has so much volume and projection that you can peel the paint off the back wall of an auditorium without cracking a note! 

This cornet had its lacquer removed and was then SATIN finished except for the bell tube, the five slide crooks, and the valve caps & key buttons which are all are highly polished.  The "shooting stars" bell engraving remains sharp and deep.  Many of the horns in my collection had their lacquer removed as I have always preferred the tonality of raw brass.  Lacquer is a resilient medium that dampens the natural vibrations and overtones of the brass, thus altering resonance.  It is applied by manufacturers as a convenience to keep their instruments looking shiny, but in my humble opinion causes more trouble than it is worth.  Many trumpet legends such as Louis Armstrong, Harry James, Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis played raw brass horns. 

This 17A is in pristine mechanical condition and exhibits only a few minor cosmetic blemishes:  1. There are two minuscule pin point pings on the bell tube;  2. There are three tiny pencil point pings on the tuning crook;  3.  The lower tuning slide tube/1st casing knuckle has some tiny ripples as a result of past ding removal...that's it!...the rest of the horn is really in near mint condition.  I tend to be overly critical when describing my horns, so that no one receives any "surprises".  All slides operate smoothly and the bottom sprung valves are bright and shiny, without pitting nor staining and have excellent compression.   The horn slots very well in all registers and has wonderful intonation.  Enough said...I won't waste your time with any more superlatives...I'll just list the specifications and let the photos do the rest of the talking.

Finish     -      Raw satin/polished yellow brass, copper and nickel silver

Serial Number     -     H88XXX

Bore Size     -   Conn #2 1/2 - .484" large cornet bore

Features      -   Coprion bell; bottom sprung valves; adjustable 3rd valve slide

Accessories  -   Original Conn plastic hard case in excellent condition.  Also included is the original Conn #4 mouthpiece.

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE OTHER HORNS I HAVE LISTED

USPS REGULATIONS PROHIBIT THE SHIPMENT OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OR THEIR PARTS TO ITALY.  SORRY, BUT ITALIAN BIDS WILL BE CANCELED.

Shipping is a flat fee of $25. to the 48 continental states.  Alaska and Hawaii require more postage.  I will ship worldwide (email me for postage rates).  I accept Paypal, USPS money orders & cashiers checks (NO personal checks).  International bidders must pay with Paypal.  Payment must be received within 7 days or the item will be re-listed.

This item is being sold "As is"...no returns nor refunds will be offered unless I have somehow misrepresented the item.  I do my very best to be as accurate as humanly possible in my descriptions.  I am not an instrument dealer...just a musician and collector.  However, bid with confidence since I still maintain a 100% positive feedback rating.