Contrabass sarrusophone, E-flat, low pitch
Maker
C. G. Conn, Ltd.
Date1921-1922 ca.
Place MadeElkhart, Indiana, United States, North America
ModelNew Wonder 16V
Serial No.V129
SignedEngraved on bell: MADE BY / C. G. CONN Ltd. / ELKHART / IND. / U S Q M CMarkingsStamped on the side of the bell: PATD. DEC. 8. 1914 / 1119954 / L. P. / Eb / V129
Stamped on the bocal, above where it is inserted into the body: 129
Description2 sections: body with triple loop and bocal. Brass. Mother-of-pearl rollers. 21 keys with 18 touchpieces.
C. G. Conn, Ltd. produced the first American-made sarrusophones in 1921 to fill an order from the U.S. Government for 148 contrabass sarrusophones needed to equip the post-war army bands. Although the company planned to produce a complete family of sarrusophones, from soprano to contrabass, this goal was never attained. Instead, Conn incorporated the contrabass sarrusophone into its saxophone line, essentially in place of the contrabass saxophone, which it never commercially produced. With a fingering system almost identical to the saxophone, Conn's sarrusophone was supplied with both the traditional double-reed, as well as a unique alternative, a single-reed mouthpiece. Listed as the model 16V after 1922, the contrabass sarrusophone appeared in Conn catalogs until World War II, although initial enthusiasm for the instrument's potential had waned by the beginning of the Depression.
DimensionsHeight: 1265 mm (49.75 in )
Bell Diameter: 178 mm (7 in)
Length of bocal: 610 mm (24 in)
Approximate tube length: 4128 mm (162.5 in)
ProvenanceNo known provenance.
Published ReferencesLarson, André P. _A Catalog of the Double Reed Instruments in the Arne B. Larson Collection of Musical Instruments_. M.M. Thesis, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, 1968. (No. 14)
Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Object number00846
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