Sorry for my english, I will try to explain what I think about this saxophone. I bought it for a friend. The saxophone was playable; let us say it was the 50%, maybe less. Anyway, the sound was smooth and velvety. I fixed the saxophone making a complete overhaul and than I tried it again. The mechanics was fine and it is a real step ahead from the New Wonder, so you can go much faster and easily, quite as a Selmer saxophone. The sound is coming out is very refined, well balanced on all the range, very tuned, velvety and lovable... the very sound of the Jazz Ballads. The sound is heating the people are arond, because it is very beautiful. The sound is much better than the saxophone from his era, and much much better compared by the saxophones built from 1970 and after. Maybr just a nice Selmer MKVI can compete with the Naked Lady. It is a very nice saxophone. It is a part of the Jazz history and I think is the best tenor saxophone you can have o play. It is funny to play this saxophone and you will be really happy to have one of this jewel.Read full review
10M's are unmistakable in their sound and quality. Having owned, played, and renovated more than 10 of them, spanning years from the '30's to the late '60's, this was always a quality, professional instrument. Built very well, body and keywork and mechanics were always top-notch. Now, finding one on eBay may well require you to invest in some repairs to get a sax working up to snuff, but on a 10M this is always money well-spent. People buy vintage horns because they just sound better. There is no contemporary horn which exists which has ever matched the big 'ol american Tenor tone of a 10M. Folks will say that the tone changed over the generation it was made, but having done side-to-side tests on various era ones...if this is true, it is by less than 6 degrees of separation, really. It is just a signature sound: huge, dark spread in the low overtones accompanied by some nice bite and punch in the upper registers. Intonation was never really an issue with Conns after the '30's; although the 10M does best with a medium-large chamber mouthpiece. People make a big issue over the ergonomics of the instrument, but truth be told...all it takes is a couple of weeks to get any sax under your fingers and then you are gonna be out of the gate. Most common alteration made to a 10M is the relocation of the neckstrap eyelet...about a $25 alteration; which does away with the dynamic affectionately referred to as the "Conn Cobra" (!) Look it up, it's kinda funny. In short, if what you want is that big, dark, lush Tenor sound of the past, this is your horn (and at the moment, in this economy, they have been going for "buyers" prices). Simply one of the true Classics, which has easily withstood the test of time.Read full review
Not for everyone, but there's a good reason why 10M saxes are still in high demand. The sound one can get is obvious, the other is they are one of the fastest horns ever produced. My teacher played one he bought in 1944 right up till when he died in 2009. He wouldn't consider anything else. I own one now and love it. Very versatile tenor, big, warm, full and dark voice with just the right amount of cut to take me over the top when I need it. Mine can take more air than I can give without going 'splat' and it's a blast to play. Handles ballads just as easily as it does raucous material. And intonation on mine and several others I've owned and played is excellent. Better than some horns made today with all that computer precision. Try one. If you take to it, you may have a hard time putting it back on the stand! -CoilheadRead full review
Verified purchase: No
Many years ago, I was sitting in a restaurant on Willingdon Island, India, and heard a local Indian play saxophone, and he was playing on a Conn 10M (Naked Lady)It sounded so beautifully, so I decided that I wanted one as well. Mr Rodriquez (The player) told me that he was missing a spring, and could not get hold of some good reeds, so when I got back to Europe,I organized to have the parts sent to him. He send med a letter beeing very thankful. Ever since I have been looking for a nice original Conn 10M tenor saxophone. The saxophone I found is very original, almost dent free, but very tarnised, but it could play right out of the box. The Conn 10M is very powerfull compared to my other saxophones, but can be controlled.
Sorry my English not so good. I bought a Conn 10M Naked Lady. It was not in condition to play. With many flaws and some bruising. I had to spend a lot for a complete overhaul. But it's worth it. Came out a beautiful saxophone. The dents are still there, but not disturb the sound big and full bodied on each hue. I tried Conn 10M pre-1947 and Mark IV. This has nothing to envy these saxophones. In fact even better sound. Really an excellent tool. It combines vintage sound with a far easier to use. The best saxophone I've ever played. Perfect pitch. I spent so much to make this saxophone, but it's worth