TromboneChat

I have a wonderful Conn 88H trombone. I would love to know how old it is, but the serial numbers that I find on it don't make sense. There is a serial number on the brace where the F-attachment trigger is braced. it is 6-digits and is 1343XX which according to the list at conn-selmer.com would put it as a 1913 horn. I know that's not right. There are matching numbers on the slide inner and outer, but I think those are just pairing numbers. What do you who know more than me think? I've included my 1952 King 2B-SS in the picture just because it's a very cool horn. Well, it's not really mine, but on loan from the local community college. I'm trying to talk them into selling it to me.

Based on the engraving, looks to be an early 2000s Eastlake.

Any chance that there is one or two more numbers before the start of the serial number? Maybe lightly struck or worn?

Yup, it's a relatively modern Gen II. Not much more to tell than that.

tbonesullivan wrote: ↑Thu Mar 28, 2024 4:35 pm Any chance that there is one or two more numbers before the start of the serial number? Maybe lightly struck or worn?

I wish there were. You're referring to the prefix numbers to which you add 50? The six numbers are pretty clearly stamped.

King rolled over their serial numbers in the mid 1990's going from 999999 to 100000. If this 88H is Eastlake, perhaps it got a King number?

Hah!
I've got the same issue - I have an open-wrap 88H with the same bell engraving, serial number is 954521.

BGuttman wrote: ↑Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:55 pm King rolled over their serial numbers in the mid 1990's going from 999999 to 100000. If this 88H is Eastlake, perhaps it got a King number?

This is the most probably idea I've heard and it explains both of these serial numbers.

Thanks!

Conn is notorious for stamping the wrong model number in horns and light stamping. It is no surprise that the would mix up a serial number.

The serial # is not very important in the case of this horn. Numerous features tell us that it is a Gen II horn made in the past 25-ish years, as mentioned above. Very good horns! Much better valve than older 88H's.