Few vintage American altos make an impression quite like this one.

Offered here is an extraordinary Conn New Wonder II alto saxophone, serial number 156291, dating to approximately 1924-1925 – one of the most desirable and visually arresting periods of Conn’s pre-war production. This is not merely a fine old professional alto, but a deluxe presentation-grade instrument: a horn built for the player who wanted the very best Conn had to offer, both musically and visually.

Finished in what appears to be 100% original factory gold plating over silver, this alto is immediately distinguished by its remarkable hand engraving, centered around a dramatic and unusual Native American scenic motif depicting a lone figure with a rifle gazing out across the plains. It is a deeply evocative image, beautifully rendered and unlike the more common floral or scroll engraving seen on many instruments of the period. Combined with the rich contrast of the gold and silver surfaces, the result is a saxophone with extraordinary presence – elegant, bold, and unmistakably special.

Mechanically, the instrument has been recently fully overhauled and is in excellent playing condition. It offers the broad, resonant, unmistakably pre-war Conn sound that has made these altos so beloved for generations: warm and expansive at low dynamic levels, colorful and complex through the middle, and capable of tremendous life and projection when pushed. It is a horn equally at home in the hands of a serious player or a discerning collector.

What elevates this example beyond the ordinary is not just its tone, but its survival. Many New Wonder II altos remain wonderful players. Very few survive in this level of collector-grade original finish, and fewer still do so with such dramatic visual character and fresh professional mechanical work. This is the kind of instrument that occupies a much more select corner of the market – a horn that appeals not only for how it plays, but for how completely it embodies the glamour and craftsmanship of the Jazz Age.

This is a saxophone for someone who wants more than utility. It is for the buyer who understands that certain instruments carry with them an undeniable sense of occasion – the feeling that one is holding not simply a tool, but a piece of American musical artistry.

Features

• 100% original gold over silver deluxe factory finish
• Exceptionally rare scenic engraving featuring a Native American overlooking the plains
• Fresh professional overhaul and excellent playing condition
• A true upper-tier collector and player Conn from the New Wonder II era
• Serial number 156291, Circa 1924-1925
• Visually one of the most striking altos we have encountered
• A rare survivor with both collector appeal and professional usability
• Original finish (gold plated over silver, two-tone) presents at an exceptionally high level, engraving remains deep, crisp, and visually dramatic
• Rolled tone holes and original microtuner neck
• Classic Conn pre-war build quality and tonal character

This is not simply a beautiful vintage alto – it is a statement instrument.

Ships in a new ProtecXL case.