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Conn 40A Connqueror Vocabell Cornet |
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C. G. Conn Ltd Model: 40A Connqueror Original cost in 1937 = $117.50 [$2,725 in 2026] The top cornet you could buy from Conn in 1937 was the 40A Connqueror Vocabell, the most extravagant Art Deco design that any maker came up with. They were made from 1932 until 1939 during the height of the streamlined design craze started by Conn back in late 1928 with the New Era models. Here is a catalog page from 1934.
These used the new Clickless Crysteel valves as highlighted in this 1934 ad.
The valves were designed by Willard Dausman, a draftsman and designer for Conn in the 1930s. He was born in Milford, Indiana in 1903, worked with Conn in the 1930s, then went on to other careers including retail sales and welding. He lived until age 91 in 1995.
1937 catalog page for the 40A cornet. With all the claims for the amazing improvements, one has to wonder why they stopped making them. They continue to be highly sought after by players of vintage instruments.
Here are some views of the 40A that I purchased. Due to the condition, this was the least expensive one I had come across and felt it was worth trying to bring back to life. You just have to wonder who treated this instrument so horribly!
These streamlined water keys were only used on this model.
All apart and ready for restoration.
The bell after most work was done.
One valve was missing the riser stem and finger button so I made up a stem from spare parts and created a new finger button using a 1930s Buescher that I turned on the lathe to a close match.
The 1937 valve guides are marked "Pat. Pen'g." which seems to be in conflict with advertising claiming patent protection. There are no known patents for either the Vocabell design or the Clickless Crysteel valves so either they were denied patents or the sales claims were just a gimmick.
All repaired and ready for assembly.
The original mouthpiece had traces of gold plating but was in poor condition. The cornets and trumpets from this period had a tapered shank different than later ones from the 1950s. These early ones can be identified by having a smooth shaft with no step and vertical lettering.
The unique fluted column design used just for the 40A and 40B models.
I happened to have a c.1940 Trump Glitterite mouthpiece that not only played well with this cornet but had a perfectly matching design sometimes referred to as the Christmas Tree. This still needs some minor work done, but for now I am enjoying playing this.
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Willard in 1934
