C.G. Conn 16V Contrabass Sarrusophone in EEb SN V209

C.G. Conn 16V Contrabass Sarrusophone Overview

The C.G. Conn 16V Contrabass Sarrusophone in EEb is a rare low double-reed instrument built with a metal body and keyed woodwind-style mechanism, designed to provide contrabass range and projection in wind ensembles, military bands, and specialty orchestral settings. As an overhauled historic Conn instrument, this 16V is intended for advanced players, collectors, and institutions seeking a playable example of a scarce contrabass sarrusophone rather than a purely display-focused instrument.

C.G. Conn 16V Contrabass Sarrusophone Specifications

• Brand: C.G. Conn
• Model: 16V
• Instrument Type: Contrabass Sarrusophone
• Key: EEb
• Body Material: Metal
• Reed Type: Double reed
• Mechanism: Keyed woodwind-style system
• Finish: Unlacquered
• Case: Not included
• Accessories: Reed

Condition & Setup

This C.G. Conn 16V Contrabass Sarrusophone is offered in overhauled condition. It has been professionally repadded, serviced, set up, and play-tested by our repair staff to confirm mechanical function, pad seating, key regulation, and response across the practical playing range. As with any historic contrabass double-reed instrument, final reed choice and embouchure setup will have a significant effect on response, intonation, and tone.

Who the 16V Contrabass Sarrusophone Is For

The C.G. Conn 16V Contrabass Sarrusophone is an EEb contrabass double-reed instrument for advanced musicians who need a playable historic low-reed voice with metal-body projection. It is best suited for professional doublers, low-reed specialists, collectors, university collections, period-instrument ensembles, and bands performing repertoire or restorations that call for sarrusophone tone and range.

Compared with more common low woodwinds such as contrabassoon or contrabass clarinet, the 16V offers a more specialized tonal profile: reedy, direct, and penetrating, with a brass-bodied resonance that can carry in large ensembles. Its distinction is not modern standardization, but rarity, historical significance, and the ability to provide a functional contrabass sarrusophone voice in EEb.

Common Questions About the C.G. Conn 16V

What is the C.G. Conn 16V Contrabass Sarrusophone?

The C.G. Conn 16V is a contrabass sarrusophone in EEb, a metal-bodied double-reed instrument with a keyed mechanism. It was designed to supply a powerful low reed voice in band and specialty ensemble settings.

Is the Conn 16V suitable for professional use?

Yes, this overhauled Conn 16V is suitable for professional and institutional use when the player has appropriate double-reed experience and access to suitable reeds. It is a specialized historic instrument rather than a standardized modern low woodwind.

How does an EEb contrabass sarrusophone differ from a contrabassoon?

An EEb contrabass sarrusophone uses a metal body and has a more direct, projecting reed tone than a contrabassoon. It occupies a related low-register role, but its timbre, response, and historical use are distinct.

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