Conn 25B Opera Grand - High Pitch
Date: 1923. Instrument owned by Steve Hanson.
The 25B is the High & Low Pitch version of the 24B Opera Grand, which was Low Pitch only. In Low Pitch A=440 Hz., in High Pitch A=456 Hz. The instrument in the picture has the high pitch slides installed, the low pitch slides are in front of it. The extra loop and rotary knob in the low pitch main tuning slide is to put the instrument into "A" as opposed to Bb. The copper valve casing are something you see on Conn trumpets from that period from time to time. The copper is plated over brass, it isn't solid. Not sure if that was specific to the Opera Grand or not. Notice the lack of a right hand pinky ring. That isn't damage, it was built that way. The "small bore" described below is a #1 bore (0.438"), very common in Conn models from the 30's through 60's. The 25B Opera Grand was built from 1921 to 1930.
What Conn said:
This model is built with a small bore and is known as the 24B. It was built especially for "jazz" or
ball-room orchestras, and has proven its value for this character of music most successfully. It
possesses a stinging, yet musical quality of tone and unusual carrying power. From the time this trumpet
was placed on the market, it met with success and swept all other "jazz" behind it. It is extremely easy
playing and is particularly noted for this feature. We do not recommend the Opera Grand for symphonic or
concert engagements.
The instrument is 19½" long, weighs 2¼ lbs and has a 4 5/8" bell. The 24B is a "Low Pitch" version, the "High Pitch" version is called the 25B.