TromboneChat

Good morning,

I am reaching out to kindly request information about my instrument.

I am the owner of a CONN trombone and would like to know its year of manufacture. The number I have found engraved near the joint between the slide and the bell is: "14-HD02".

I have consulted the guidelines regarding the alphanumeric system implemented from March 1974, which state the following:

The first letter indicates the decade ("G" = 1970s, "H" = 1980s, etc.).

The second letter indicates the month ("A" = January, "B" = February, etc.).

The third character represents the year within the decade.

The fourth character denotes the type of instrument (e.g., "7" = slide trombone).

The remaining numbers indicate the production number within that month.

However, I am having trouble interpreting the code 14-HD02. I would appreciate your assistance in understanding its full meaning, particularly regarding the initial and final numerical characters.

Thank you very much in advance for your attention and support. I look forward to any information you can provide.

Kind regards,

This is most likely a Conn Texas instrument. I had an old Director with a similar Serial and it was from the 1970's. The 14-H is the model number and it should have "Director" engraved on the upper cork barrel.

There was a period in the Texas era where they did not use real serial numbers. The system you show was for later instruments, but it is no longer in use.

im not sure that's a serial number. I think that's a model number as another 14h d02 appears to have been sold on ebay a little ago. unless by coincidence it happens to be your exact horn.

d02 is likely a sub-variation of the 14h tho not sure of spec differences or specific reason for that

Dear group,

I would like to thank you sincerely for all the information you have provided me with regarding my previous enquiry about the Conn 14H-D02 trombone. It has been of great help.

In addition, I would like to share with you the official reply I have received directly from the Conn brand, from whom I also requested information about the code ‘14-HD02’:

Hi Jovi,

The 14-HD02 is the designation for the model 14-H (H meaning trombone) and D02 for the finish used.

The Director series was launched in 1955 with most instruments carrying a model 14: Cornet 14A, Trumpet 14B, Trombone 14H, Baritone Horn 14I, etc. An upgrade model 15 was also introduced then. The model 14’s were actually Pan American 58 models introduced in 1948, with Conn branding. In 1955 and 1956 Conn produced both branded models when the Pan American factory was fully integrated into the Conn factory.

Best Regards