Conn New Wonder I Tenor

The Conn New Wonder Series I (early 1920s vintage "Chu Berry"-era predecessor) tenor saxophone has a large bore and chamber, producing a big, dark, spread tone typical of early jazz horns. Players widely recommend large-chamber mouthpieces to match its acoustics, enhance intonation, and unlock its full warm, powerful sound—small-chamber or high-baffle modern pieces can make it stuffy, sharp, or uneven.

Popular Recommendations

Otto Link hard rubber (vintage Tone Edge, Super Tone Master, or Early Babbitt/New York models) — Classic pairing for Conns; large chamber gives fat, dark jazz tone with good projection. Tip openings around 6*-8* are common.

Meyer hard rubber — Affordable and versatile; medium-large chamber works well for a mellow, centered sound (e.g., for Stan Getz-inspired tones on vintage Conns).

Brilhart Tonalin (vintage) — Highly praised for vintage Conns; large chamber enhances warmth and ease.

Jody Jazz Giant — Modern option that excels on early New Wonder tenors (e.g., 8*-9* tips); large chamber provides huge, Garzone-like spread without brightness issues.

Pillinger "Chu" model (custom, rarer) — Specifically designed for Chu Berry/New Wonder II-era Conns; considered one of the best for authentic vintage tone.

Morgan large-chamber models

Vandoren V16 large chamber (M or L) — Free-blowing with superb intonation on vintage horns.

Other vintage-style fits: Ponzol Vintage, Barone Vintage, or Get A Sax GS Reso for resonant, period-appropriate sound.

Tips for Choosing

Vintage Conns can be picky with mouthpieces—intimation improves dramatically with large-chamber designs. Start with medium tip openings (6*-7*) and softer-to-medium reeds (e.g., Vandoren Java or Rico 2.5-3) to control the big sound. Try before buying if possible, as player embouchure varies

Many players successfully use modern large-chamber pieces, but vintage or vintage-inspired ones often bring out the horn's character best.

If you're aiming for classic jazz (Hawkins/Coleman Webster vibes), lean toward Otto Link or Brilhart replicas. For more contemporary flexibility, Jody Jazz or Pillinger. Enjoy the horn—New Wonder Is have a massive, unique voice!