Emilie Meyer
Conn and Pan American parts are related as the Pan American band instrument company was a subsidiary of Conn. Pan American was started in the early 1920s and produced more affordable instruments than the regular Conn line, geared towards students. Conn continued to use the same body and neck specifications for their Artist and PanAm horns until 1958. The main difference between the two lines was that the Pan American horns lacked rolled tone holes and had different left-pinkie clusters.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Conn and Pan American instruments were identical in many ways
- Conn's pro models had rolled tone holes, while Pan American did not
- Pan American was a subsidiary of Conn, producing more affordable instruments
- Conn Loyalist is a website dedicated to Conn and Pan American serial numbers and bore sizes
- Pan American instruments were built like Conn saxophones and had many of its features
Conn and Pan American instruments were identical in many ways
The Pan American line was started in the early 1920s to produce more affordable instruments than the regular Conn line, targeted at students. Despite being marketed as student models, Pan American instruments were not cheaply made and were built like Conn saxophones. They were essentially slightly cheaper versions of older Conn models, usually based on the New Wonder or New Wonder II models.
The two brands also had different serial numbers until the late 1950s. The Martin-built Pan-Americans are from about 1956-1957, and it is assumed that this is related to Paul Gazlay's tenure as president of Conn after Carl Greenleaf retired. In 1955, Conn started producing student instruments under the Conn brand name, and the Pan American brand disappeared.
Both brands have been praised by musicians for their quality. One saxophonist commented that their Conn Loyalist played very well, and another praised their Pan Am baritone as a "great horn" and a "pretty badass player" when set up correctly.
Hot Pot Lunch: A Social and Flavorful Dining Experience
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Conn's pro models had rolled tone holes, while Pan American did not
The Pan American band instrument company was a subsidiary of Conn that started in the early 1920s. It produced more affordable instruments than the regular Conn line, targeting students. Conn's pro models had rolled tone holes, while Pan American did not. This is because Conn was the only US company to employ the use of rolled tone holes. Some German, French, and Czech makers offered them, but they were not common in American student saxophones.
The absence of rolled tone holes in Pan American saxophones is notable because it was one of the features that differentiated them from Conn's pro models. However, it is important to note that Pan American instruments were not cheaply-made student instruments. They were built like Conn saxophones and had many of the brand name's features.
The rolled tone holes in Conn saxophones were eventually phased out in 1948, and their microtuners in 1954. The professional models then gained nickel. Rolled tone holes can be found on some older models of European and Asian saxophones.
The decision to exclude rolled tone holes from Pan American saxophones may have been a cost-saving measure or a way to differentiate the student models from the professional ones. It is also worth noting that Conn continued to use the same body and neck specifications for their Artist and PanAm horns until 1958, only excluding the rolled tone holes and simplifying the keywork.
Overall, the exclusion of rolled tone holes in Pan American saxophones was a notable difference between the student models and Conn's pro models. This feature, along with the left pinkie cluster design, set the Pan American saxophones apart from their professional counterparts.
Fiesta Pans: Oven-Safe?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pan American was a subsidiary of Conn, producing more affordable instruments
The Pan American company was a subsidiary of Conn, producing more affordable instruments. It was started in the early 1920s, with a 1931 catalogue listing a bare brass Pan American baritone saxophone for $162.00, compared to the $150.00 price tag of the Martin Handcraft saxophone. Although Pan American instruments lacked certain features of Conn's professional models, such as rolled tone holes and had different left pinkie clusters, they were still built like Conn saxophones and shared many of the brand name's features. They were geared towards students and were known as "stencils", based on New Wonder or New Wonder II models, without engravings or embellishments.
Around 1955, Conn began producing student instruments under its own brand name, and Pan American disappeared. However, Conn continued using the same body and neck specifications for its Artist and PanAm horns until 1958. During the war (1942-1945), Conn was contracted for military products, which may have resulted in a decrease in saxophone production.
In addition to saxophones, Pan American also produced cornets, with a 1929 model available for purchase. The serial numbers of Pan American and Conn instruments were different until the late 1950s, when Conn renamed the Pan American student line of instruments to 'Director'.
The Pan American brand had its own "budget" line, Cavalier, which was labelled as "Produced by the Pan American company".
Sheet Pan Baking: Batter Amounts
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Conn Loyalist is a website dedicated to Conn and Pan American serial numbers and bore sizes
The website also acknowledges the relationship between Conn and Pan American, which was a subsidiary of Conn that began in the early 1920s. Pan American produced more affordable instruments targeted towards students, and while they lacked some features of Conn's pro models, they were still built with the same core design principles. This distinction is important when considering the serial numbers and bore sizes of these instruments, as there may be variations within the same brand due to different model types and production years.
The Conn Loyalist website includes a serial number list for both Conn and Pan American instruments, recognizing their shared heritage and potential overlap in design and manufacturing. This list is particularly useful for owners or enthusiasts of these instruments, as it can help identify the production year and other specifications of their instruments.
In addition to serial numbers, the website also addresses bore sizes for Conn and Pan American instruments. Bore size refers to the internal diameter of an instrument's tubing, which can vary between different models and brands. It is a crucial factor in determining an instrument's tone, volume, and overall performance characteristics. By providing information on bore sizes, the website offers valuable insights into the playing qualities and characteristics of Conn and Pan American instruments.
The Conn Loyalist website serves as a valuable resource for musicians, collectors, and enthusiasts of Conn and Pan American instruments. By providing detailed information on serial numbers and bore sizes, the website helps users identify their instruments, understand their unique characteristics, and make informed decisions when purchasing, selling, or simply learning more about these renowned instrument brands.
Olive Oil Scorch: What's the Science Behind It?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pan American instruments were built like Conn saxophones and had many of its features
The Pan American instrument company was a subsidiary of Conn, started in the early 1920s. It produced more affordable instruments than the regular Conn line, aimed at students. Conn continued to produce instruments under the Pan American name until around 1955, when it started producing student instruments under its own brand name.
The fact that the Pan American instruments were built like Conn saxophones can be seen in the way that they played. A forum user who owned a Conn stencil from the same period as a Pan Am horn said that it "played very well". Another forum user commented that the Pan Am baritone horn they owned from the same timeframe as the one being discussed was a "great horn".
The similarity between the Conn and Pan American instruments can also be seen in their pricing. In a 1931 catalogue, the bare brass Pan American baritone saxophone was priced at $162.00, while the Martin Handcraft was priced at $150.00. Despite the Pan American being marketed as a student model, it was more expensive than the Martin horn, which was considered a pro-level instrument. This suggests that the Pan American instruments were not cheaply made and had many of the same features as the professional-level Conn saxophones.
Best Oils for Pan-Seared Chicken Perfection
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Conn and Pan American parts are interchangeable. Conn and Pan Am horns share the same body tube and neck, and Conn continued using the same body and neck specifications for their Artist and Pan Am horns until 1958.
No, they are not the same brand, but Pan American was a subsidiary of Conn, started in the early 1920s. It produced more affordable instruments than the regular Conn line, geared towards students.
Yes, Conn and Pan American had different serial numbers until the late 1950s.
