Conn 8D Connstellation F-Bb Double French Horn
Date: 1956. (Drawing)
The "Connstellation" name is reserved for use by the top of the line instruments. The 8D Connstellation was made from 1937 and was in continuous production through at least 1969. The 1955 catalog says it weighs 5 lbs. 10 oz. Note that when the 8D was first produced, the name "Connstellation" was not yet being used; the 1941 Conn catalog lists the 8D simply as "8-D". The 1941 does have a picture of Arthur Berv on the page covering the 8D (as well as other horns), with the caption "Arthur Berv, 1st and solo horn, NBC Toscanini Sym. Orch. Uses new 8-D".
Apparently "the 8D was based on Arthur Berv's Kruspe with certain modifications, mainly the taper of a Schmidt leadpipe." I also read that from 1963 ("Cxxxx" serial numbers and up) the bell taper of the 8D was changed slightly and the bells were thinner. Source: Jim Klapp (Conn sales manager in the 1960's) as told to Kendall Betts.
Anyone interested in the Conn 8D Connstellation French horn is highly recommended to visit Dick Martz' website, The Conn 8D. Above information is taken from that website.
What Conn said in 1941:
The 8-D is an entirely new and different horn, made at the insistent demand of those players who want great
power and a darker, more mellow tonal quality. Here is a horn that will take everything you have, without choking
or losing tone quality. It has the finest intonation ever built into a French horn. Much of the unique tone quality
and response of this horn is due to the metallurgical formula of the special nickel silver tubing from which it is
made and which was developed expressly for this horn.
What Conn said in 1959:
Finest double horn made, anywhere. Special formula nickel silver plus the exclusive Conn Cali-Bore process gives this
full tone with a brilliance that artists can control from PPP passages to FFF powerful movements. Jewel-like tapered rotors
protect port match and fit. Only Conn can offer such features: Cali-bore, tapered rotary valves,
special formula nickel silver from mouthpipe to bell flare, Lustre-Conn finish. Bell size 12 1/4".
What Conn said in 1966:
Preferred and used by most symphony, concert, recording and studio orchestras and service bands. Big, rich tone; free blowing;
highly flexible from pianissimo to fortissimo. Solid nickel silver. Bell size 12 1/4".