I have not used an 8D as a daily driver for 20+ years but I am certainly familiar with them and still own my two 1938 originals.
The best 8Ds were the earliest (pre-letter) ones. They were superbly made, had a slightly larger bell throat and lots of metal in the bell. By the letter series, the horns had changed quite a bit. The biggest mistake, I think, was making the bells thinner and thinner. Made the horn lighter but gutted the sound. Mechanically, a lot of the horns from the 60's were sloppy as well. Conn went downhill with the move to Abilene and now has come back a bit. The irony now is that the Abilene and UMI Conns have a much better bell than the letter series and a generally good sound. I don't like the valves on either-Abilene were straight, now they are tapered but slow. The change valve linkage is a joke. 8D playing characteristics are different now as well. The new ones are much stuffier than the old. People are amazed when they compare a new one to my 320000's. And yes, both of mine have had Lawson valve jobs and are not leaking. I won't ever go back to a Conn for making a living, my Lawsons are superior in all respects, but several served me well and "paid the rent" at one time or another. I would still recommend any Elkhart horn if you can find one in good or restorable shape over a new or Abilene horn. A new Eastlake bell would be a good replacement for any old, shot Conn bell. Lawson pipes help intonation and response as well. I don't know Patterson's equipment so I can't comment there. If you want more 8D info or discussion possibilities, join Dick Martz' list: <A HREF="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pre_letter_series_elkhart_conn_8D/?yguid=60363918";>Yahoo! Groups : pre_letter_series_elkhart_conn_8D</A> . Kendall Betts _______________________________________________ Horn mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/listinfo/horn
