{"id":14976,"date":"2023-07-28T11:23:05","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T18:23:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/version5\/?page_id=14976"},"modified":"2023-07-31T10:21:14","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T17:21:14","slug":"conn-second-line-stencil-bass-saxophones","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/version5\/bass-sax-info\/vintage-bass-saxes\/conn-second-line-stencil-bass-saxophones\/","title":{"rendered":"Conn Second Line & Stencil Bass Saxophones"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n
Pan American Bass Saxes<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Pan Am Bass #38176<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Pan American Patent<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Stencil vs. Second Line Horns<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Stencil Names<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rumors<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Holton Bass #PA2814<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
Feature Chart: Pan Am & Stencil Bass Saxophones<\/a><\/div><\/td>\n
\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n
\u00a0<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\"Pan<\/a>
Pan American saxophone ad from Popular Mechanics, April 1928<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pan American: second line saxophones<\/h3>\n

In addition to Conn-labelled instruments the company produced under various models, Conn also had a separate division called Pan American. Pan American were what were called second line<\/em> instruments. Whereas the brand name Conn horns were the pro model horns of the day, these second line horns were not marketed that way by Conn. They were less expensive, and generally aimed at the amateur and student model market.  <\/p>\n

How did second line horns differ from their brand name cousins? Generally they were simpler in design; had less features (such as little or no engraving, no rolled tone holes); and\/or were based on older designs altogether. <\/p>\n

However, Conn did treat its second line horns a bit differently than other manufacturers of the day may have. The Pan American instrument line had its own patents, trademarks, catalogs, models and dealer structure. For anyone who is interested in finding out more about Pan American saxophones in general, please see the article I wrote in 2016<\/a>, which contains all the saxophone pages from a 1931 catalogue. <\/a><\/p>\n

Pan American bass saxophones<\/h3>\n

\"vintage<\/a><\/p>\n

The Pan American 56M, Bb bass saxophone was a very close cousin to Conn’s 14M. Brian at getasax.com<\/a> had one in inventory that provides us with a fantastic view of these seldom-seen beasts.<\/a><\/p>\n

Details<\/h4>\n
Name on bell: Pan American <\/h5>\n
Patent #: 1153489 <\/h5>\n
Serial #: 38176<\/h5>\n
Finish: Silver plated<\/h5>\n
Tone holes: Drawn & straight<\/h5>\n
Key touches: MOP<\/h5>\n
Water key: Yes<\/h5>\n
Fork Eb: Yes<\/h5>\n
Bis Bb: No<\/h5>\n

ngg_shortcode_0_placeholderTo see exactly how this Pan American bass saxophone compares\/contrasts to Conn stencils I have tracked over the years, check out the chart below<\/a>. <\/p>\n

No mention of the Pan American 56M would be complete without Steven Howard’s fantastic review<\/a> he did. If you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for?<\/a><\/p>\n

1,153,49. Patented Sept. 14, 1915<\/h3>\n

This is the patent number and date for the Pan American line of instruments<\/a>. Paul C. Hardy applied for this patent while working for Conn. It is different than what is commonly referred to as the Haynes patent<\/a> (1,119,954  December  8, 1914), which was actually held by flute maker, William S. Haynes of Boston, and only licensed to Conn. (Something they did on their name-brand horns.)<\/p>\n

The Pan American bass shown above that Get A Sax sold, is indeed stamped with this patent number<\/a>. However, as you will see below, the same is not true for all stencil bass saxophones that Conn produced. <\/a><\/p>\n

Stencil vs. second line horns<\/h3>\n

I already have an entire page<\/a> dedicated to the definition of stencil and second line saxophones on this site. Additionally, I have what is likely the most comprehensive listing of stencil names\/manufacturers<\/a> you will find anywhere\u2014many linking to corresponding images or gallery pages. <\/p>\n

Therefore rather than regurgitate all this information again, I’m just going to quote the relevant highpoints for you here:<\/p>\n

Very simply put, a stencil saxophone is a horn that was made by one of the major manufacturers for another company or perhaps a music store. The ordering company would then have their name engraved, or \u201cstenciled\u201d, on the saxophone, and then the horn was sold without any reference to the actual manufacturer….<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Second-line horns [were] really student or intermediate level horns made and sold by major saxophone manufacturers under a separate name. While Conn had the Pan American, Buescher had the Elkhart, Martin had the Indiana, and King had the Cleveland.<\/p>\n

Source: Stencil Saxes on Bassic Sax<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Stencil names<\/h3>\n

Conn made stencil bass saxophones under a host of different names. The ones I have photos of have been included in the chart below<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The names we find stencilled on Conn bass saxophone bells include:<\/p>\n