C.G.Conn 10M Naked Lady Tenor Sax SN 837610 1960-61 Good Shape With Case

Description

C.G.Conn 10M Naked Lady Tenor Sax SN 837610 1960-61 Good Shape With Newer Case And Includes:
2 Mouthpieces (One is a Plastic Meyer Brand And Also A Metal Otto Link Brand),
A Cordier Marca Reed Trimmer,
As Well As A Strap
My husband acquired this in 2005 from a store in St. Louis for 00. It has been played very sparingly over the past 16 years. It has been kept securely stored. It was adjusted, cleaned and re-padded in 2019. It may need some minor adjustments on a couple of keys.
General information:
The Conn 10M, commonly referred to as a “Naked Lady” model due to the engraving on the bell, is arguably one of the best performing vintage tenor saxophones ever made. To many, it represents the pinnacle of American saxophone production. These horns posses unique combination of quick response with a massive body of sound and tonal presence that is hard to duplicate in modern instruments.
"Naked Lady" Time Line
1935:
The 6M design was finalized toward the end of the Transitional period and the 12M design was finalized even earlier -- though both horns did have minor keywork changes -- but the tenor wasn't finalized until about s/n 263xxx, when its bell keys were switched to the RH side of the horn. This change announced the coming of Conn's most famous series of horns: the M series or "Naked Lady" model (so named for the engraving of a nude female portrait in a pentagon on the bell). According to later Conn catalogs (after 1959), these horns are officially called the "Artist" or "Standard" model, but "Naked Lady" is the most commonly used name people use.
1935/6 (around s/n 270xxx):
Coinciding with the introduction of the 26M, the underslung octave key on the 6M alto is discontinued. It is brought back the next year. The "over-the-top" octave key ("New York Style Neck") appears to then remain a custom option throughout the life of the 6M.
1941/2 (around s/n 300xxx):
Conn discontinues the 4M curved soprano and the 14M bass. The 4M and 14M are probably still available until Conn was bought by MacMillian in 1969, based on advertisements, but only as special order items -- and still based on the older New Wonder tooling.
1942 to 1945:
Conn retools for the World War II war effort. Musical instrument manufacture slows to a crawl: appx. 6,000 during this entire period, down from almost 4,000 per year
1
Late 1946 to Early 1947:
Union strike at Conn that lasts for 110 days. Appx. 3,800 horns are manufactured during this time
1
1948:
Conn stopped using rolled tone holes. There is ancedotal evidence that a shop worker accidentially broke the mold for the 10M, and the replacement was refabricated without rolled tone holes, and this design was propagated to the other Conn models
2
1954:
Microtuner necks vanish from the 6M
2
1955 (approximately):
Conn introduced the 16M tenor and 14M alto Director models (with the "Shooting Star" engraving) and ushered in two new plating choices that were probably available on all the Conn line: lacquer body with nickel-plated keys (finish 25) and silver body with nickel-plated keys (finish 56)
2
. It is probable that all other finish choices were considered "custom order" after this date. Please do NOT confuse these horns with the 50M student model!
Speaking of student models, which were introduced in the late 1950's or early 1960's (no later than 1961), Conn's student instruments generally have a four or five-digit number followed by a letter, like 1338V. These serial numbers bear no relation to Conn's pro line.
1959/60:
Conn acquired the Best Manufacturing Company of Nogales, Arizona and moved most student/intermediate saxophone production there
3
. The "Naked Lady" engraving is discontinued, and while "Artist" models (6/10/11/12M) are still produced in Elkhart, they have different engraving. (Please note that some 12M's still have the "Naked Lady" engraving.)
1959/60:
10M's feature a redesigned double-socket neck with an underslung octave key.