Conn 1920's New Wonder I vs. New Wonder II

Here's what I've noted in terms of differences between the Conn New Wonder Series I alto and Conn New Wonder Series II alto.

In the photos below, the horn with the heavily pitted brass lacquer (a lre-lacquer) is a 1921 New Wonder Series I. It’s unrestored and unplayable. The silver plated horn is an overhauled 1930 New Wonder Series II that plays wonderfully, and has a wicked fast key action.

My 1930 New Wonder Series II (top) has a microtuner. My 1921 New Wonder Series I (bottom) does not. Many, perhaps most, NW1's do have one though. (So do most Conn C Melodies.)

Above, the side keys are shaped differently. Note the "ski jump" contour on the uppermost side key of the NWII (the key used for high E and F). It’s not a great photo, and the slope is probably more pronounced in real life than it looks here, but it gives the NWII a very slight ergonomic advantage.

The pinky tables are different. The NWII has the "nail file" G# key, as folks like to call it. The NWI’s G# key is smooth and rounded. (Sadly, all of the pinky table rollers are frozen on the NWI.) While neither is great from a playability perspective, I prefer the NWII version.

Here are the upper palm keys. You'll note the key surfaces are shaped a little differently, especially the high E in the middle. Subjectively, it feels as if the NWI keys project a little bit higher in general.

The octave key shapes are quite different. The NWI has a full teardrop shape while the NWII’s key is sculpted around the thumb rest.

Speaking of thumb rests, the pearl surface of the NWII is a more convex shape that feels nicer.

Both my NWI and NWII have rolled tone holes (RTH). The NWII’s “rolls” may be a little more pronounced. As you can see, the NW1 pads are crying out for an overhaul. As RTH were introduced about 1920, early versions of the NWI may or may not have them. They’re universally present on NWII’s.

Pressing G# on either horn activates the G# trill key. On the NWII it also activates (opens) the larger key cup a couple of places down (in the photo above, it’s the lower-most key cup that’s visible).

On the NWI, though, pressing G# activate the two smaller keys -- those beneath the one my fingers are barely touching in the photo below. It makes for zero difference in playability. But it’s a difference.

That's it. There may be things I’ve missed. Some things — like a slight difference in the shape of the octave key lever — aren’t really worth mentioning.

I consider the differences between these two horns insignificant. Given a choice between an NWI and NWII — if both horns were otherwise identical — I’d buy the cheaper one. If they were the same price, I’d buy the NWII — mainly because of the G# key.