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Hi all - I've been learning more about C. G. Conn's New York Branch Store (1897-1912 or so), and learned that, for a time, the giant helicon Conn built for Frederick Innes' band was featured in the front window.

Here's the post about that: https://tubapastor.blogspot.com/2022/04 ... -stir.html

And here's the history of that Branch Store: https://tubapastor.blogspot.com/2022/04 ... n-nyc.html

Finally, and you have perhaps seen it before, here is that amazing helicon!

…the over-a-century-ago version of today’s rock concerts - where multiple Ampeg SVT’s are stacked like high-rise apartment buildings…

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re: surprising instruments that Conn made

Conn used to actually make bassoons, and they were significantly better than those stencils that they imported from Germany later.

When looking at weights listed on these older horns, I think it’s often difficult to disentangle truth from marketing.

matt g wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 4:11 am When looking at weights listed on these older horns, I think it’s often difficult to disentangle truth from marketing.

Indeed! However, the only other reference to the size of this oversized helicon that I could find mentioned that the weight was 63 pounds (matching what was said in The Review), but that the bell diameter was actually 33 inches, not 40. And this was apparently after a careful inspection of the instrument by a reputable source.

But yes, 63 pounds on the left shoulder would be crushing!

And as to the question of the whereabouts of this beast, I have not seen any photographs of it beyond 1898. But you would think a spectacle like this would show up from time to time if it still existed - esp. back then.