Conn Director

I haven't yet played the vintage Conn 424 and 444. Those instruments are sought after as jazz instruments.

The Conn Director is more recent than the above, but continues in the tradition of wide bore instruments designed for the jazz crowd.

The Conn Director is also available in a hard rubber composition, with the same "Director" name.

Bore: 15.25mm (Wide, like some Selmer clarinets.)

Barrel: 63.8mm

Bell: made of plastic, but artfully made to look like wood.

Serial: C16130, probably made in 1963.

The key work on the Director has set screws holding the pointed screw the key actually pivots on. This shows a dedication to craftsmanship, but since clarinet pivot screws don't normally go out of adjustment, it seems unnecessary. Even high end clarinets don't have such set screws today. Like Leblanc products, it is nice that the Conn pivot screws are headless, and can be put in as far as necessary to snug up the action.

These results are about the same as a Selmer Signet.

I tested using my Portnoy mouthpiece and a Legere #4 Quebec cut reed, and playing uniformly forte.

A student playing this horn should make or buy barrel rings. See Stuff I recommend > Barrels and barrel rings.

The best web site I have found for Conn Serial Numbers is UArk.