This is the original description of the Conn 38H (below), that grabbed my attention, and caused me to buy it. I bought it from the guys at BAC, and before they sent it to me I had the inner slide tubes replaced, and the lead pipe pulled. (As you can see in the pictures) The slide is perfect. The trombone plays very well. I haven\'t even had it for an entire year, but I never get the chance to play it, as I am more of a bass trombone player, and I could use the money right now. The case is a brand new Kaces case, which comes with it. The stand does Not come with it. The original case was destroyed when my house burnt down in February. Sorry
This instrument would be considered a ‘Ballroom Model’ trombone. With similar features as the Conn 40H, 22H, 24H, 42H, etc., this is what Conn said in their 1928 Catalog:
”What Conn said in 1928: The \"Ballroom\" Models have a number of special features which make them unique for dance work - the bell is further back, easier to reach for wow-wow; the handhold on the slides has been moved to give better balance and hence quicker control; the bell and slides are locked together by a positive lock - to mention a few of them.”
Now back around this time there was a craftsperson by the name of Jake Burkle who was considered the ‘Dean of the Experimental Engineers’. Jake was known widely as the creator of the model 30H, and 32H trombone. (Produced from 1934-49) The ‘Burkle Model’ horns were known to have been Jake’s pride and joy, and incorporated innovative tapers throughout the entire instrument and bell section. They were also tuning in the bell horns like the 38H being offered here. Jake also introduced some other revolutionary concepts and unique methods of manufacturing the ‘Burkel Model 30H and 32H’ Trombones. I would propose that the horn being offered here, because of it’s very unique features may very well be a hand created ‘proto-type’ that was built by Jake. This instrument may very well have been one of the stepping stones toward the creation of the Burkle model horns. And in and of itself, is a truly superb piece of equipment!!So what makes this instrument so unique?? The way it was made!! In the catalogs, and information we have available, the 38H should have been a (.485”) tuning in the hand slide instrument. As you can clearly see here, this instrument is not. It is a tuning in the bell. After incredibly close examination of this instrument, we propose that this was in fact a factory build, and not modified after it was originally crafted. An ‘excessive’ amount of components on this instrument are entirely made from seamed tubing!! This is absolutely incredible!! The bell is a two piece bell with a seamed flare, which is not typical either. (While it was offered on other models, it certainly is unique.) The neck pipe and tuning slide are also made from seamed tubing. What’s more, the tuning slide ‘outer tuning slide legs’ (or outside tubes) are also seamed!! You will notice the large leg on the tuning slide (or bell top tube) is tapered. This allows a smoother transition from the slide through the neck pipe and tuning slide into the bell. The hand slide sleeves are ALSO seamed tubing. Now, this is simply curious. I’m not sure why one would go that far with seamed tubing, if for no other reason just “why not?” It is very hard to tell because of the lacquer, and the fact that there is a large guard on the hand slide crook, but we speculate that the crook on the hand slide may also be seamed.
This instrument has a (.485”) bore which was one of the more popular sizes at the time, and is still the preference for a lot of musicians today. (This is closest in size to a King 2B to todays standards). The bell diameter is 7”. The bell, tuning slide crook and neck pipe are all made from a high copper content bronze. The bell is a higher copper content then the tuning slide and neckpipe. (We tested the material on an Ultraviolet X-Ray scanner to confirm this) The hand slide and hand slide crook are both yellow brass.