Selling Conn C Melody saxophone “Chu Berry”

Professional level sax with rolled tone holes

Serial 152005 Type: C Melody L= low pitch

Serial number of this Conn C Melody sax on the Conn "Reed mouthpiece" serial number list indicates manufacture date of around 1925.

According to Wikipedia the Conn sax which Chu Berry played was serial 145xxx.
Although Chu Berry was not known to have played a C-Melody model, "Chu Berry" is the unofficial designation of C.G.Conn company's series of saxophones produced through the 1920s.
They are the Conn New Wonder Series II.

Conn offered four finishes, raw brass, silver, burnished gold, or gold plate. Because - to me - the finish of this doesn't appear patinated in the way that I am used to seeing raw brass produce a tarnish or patina - I think this finish is gold. The cleaned area around the engraving on the bell, as well as the area showing the Patent details, serial number, and other details on the back [both shown in photographs] show the finish. Further cleaning is for the buyer.

The previous owner, the late Norm Florimell, was a multi-instrumentalist who acquired this sax around 30 years ago. It had a minor service by Melbourne Woodwind & Brass in November 2010 [see receipt] and since then has had very little playing. Norm spent his last few years in a nursing home, and his son Mike [a drummer and drum guru] has entrusted this beautiful instrument to me to help find it a new home.

You can see from the photos that pads appear to be firm and in good condition, and the felts [red] are in good condition. Springs are working, pads are closing neatly.

The body is free of dings, scratches, dents and corrosion: once the surface tarnish is cleared the appearance will be beautiful.

This comes with a C Melody sax-appropriate mouthpiece included, and the box of Rico C Melody sax reeds contains over a dozen unused 1.5 C Melody sax reeds. The mouthpiece is a Paul Morgan and is in good condition: if you search Saxonontheweb you'll find comments on just how much difference a Paul Morgan C Melody mouthpiece makes: you won't need to grapple with an unsuitable alto or tenor mouthpiece.

The solid case is the original, latches and main catch in good condition, but the handle will need attention. It will be packed with care.

The virtue, versatility, and practicality of a superb classic instrument like this are often overlooked.

Just to draw the musical threads together, I asked "Chatbot openai" about C-Melody saxophones:

This was the response -

" The C-melody saxophone, also known as the C-melody sax, offers several unique benefits compared to the more commonly used alto and tenor saxophones. Here are some advantages of the C-melody saxophone:

Versatility: The C-melody saxophone is considered a versatile instrument because it is pitched in the key of C, allowing it to play music written for both B-flat and E-flat saxophones without the need for transposition. This means you can read and play sheet music designed for other instruments, such as piano or violin, directly on the C-melody saxophone.

Mid-range pitch: The C-melody saxophone falls between the alto and tenor saxophones in terms of pitch. It offers a unique tonal range and blends well with other instruments in a band or ensemble setting. The mid-range pitch can provide a distinctive voice to your saxophone playing, making it stand out in certain musical contexts.

Easier to play: The C-melody saxophone is often considered more approachable for beginners or players transitioning from other instruments. Its size and weight are generally more manageable, making it easier to handle and hold compared to larger saxophones like the tenor or baritone. This can be particularly beneficial for younger or smaller players.

Availability of vintage instruments: While the production of new C-melody saxophones has significantly declined, there is a good supply of vintage C-melody saxophones available on the market. This can be advantageous for players interested in exploring the unique sound and character of these instruments without the need for custom orders or specialty manufacturers.

Expansive repertoire: The C-melody saxophone was popular during the early 20th century, particularly in the 1920s and 1930s, and many jazz and popular music compositions were written specifically for this instrument. Owning a C-melody saxophone allows you to explore a wide range of repertoire from that era, including classic jazz, swing, and big band music.

It's worth noting that the C-melody saxophone is less commonly used in contemporary music styles, and finding modern sheet music specifically written for the instrument may be more challenging. However, its unique characteristics and historical significance make it an appealing choice for certain musicians looking to diversify their saxophone playing experience. "

You might think, as I do, that this “botspeak” I’ve quoted above gets it pretty right, but that it’s quite cold to the human pleasures of exploring and exploiting the dynamics of a vintage instrument like this one. And if you’re in a rock outfit that plays mostly in the key of C, a C-Melody can be perfect for you.

If you NEED the dots [and of course many of you don’t] there’s Optical music recognition (OMR) software — or more colloquially, “music notation scanning software” — which will let you edit and print [screen or paper] for any key of your choice.