Conn 18B Duo Bore Vintage 1927 Professional Trumpet In Excellent Playing Condition

I currently have two duo-bore horns in my collection, a Rudy Muck and this Conn 18B“peashooter." I wasn’t sure of the concept behind duo bore so I posted a query on Trumpet Master. I got lots of responses and a half dozen different answers but no consensus. The most likely reason in my opinion for a duo bore horn is that in having two bores, a smaller .406" bore up to the valve block gives the player good embouchure feel through the feedback of a small-bore, while using a larger bore .438" beyond the valve block gives the horn a bigger sound like a larger bore horn. I had also asked why the concept was given up. Only one person responded to that part of my query. He answered that it actually wasn’t given up, though Rudy Muck and Conn stopped making duo bore horns because it didn't catch on back then but several smaller companies like Schilke still offer horns made that way but now call them multi-bore.

This 18B Duo Bore, #251763, from 1927 has been completely rebuilt with all new felts, springs and water keypads. It has the nicest valve action of any Conn I own. A good healthy pop when each slide is pulled attests to great valve seating. From the last photo you can see that the slides are all free and that the valve plating looks good. Cosmetically, as you can see from the photos it is in surprisingly good shape with the silver finish about 98% intact. There has been a bit of silver wear on the valve block where the horn was held, though the silver hasn't yet worn through, so I will send along a leather valve guard to keep that from continuing, see photo 9. The horn has no dents and just a few dings here and there. It looks as if the horn had some brace solder work done in the past, though the braces are all solid now. This horn is a pleasure to play and as you can see from the photos would be a pleasure to own.

Comes with the original Conn case shown in the photos which is not in great condition but will protect the horn well, a genuine leather valve guard and a mouthpiece.

Keys: A/Bb
Bore: .406" and .438"
Bell: 4 5/8"
Non-reverse lead-tube

These professional trumpet players chose to play Conn horns: Louis Armstrong, Chet Baker, Bix Beiderbech, Bunny Berrigan, Herbert Ckarke, Roy Eldridge, Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen and Woody Shaw.

Please take a look at the other horns listed from my collection by clicking on Gabriels Trumpets in blue above.