Conn 88H, SN M10468 — Vintage Elkhart Make from 1969. This classic Conn tenor trombone features an 8.5" rose brass bell with a .547 bore handslide, the signature configuration that made the 88H one of the most beloved professional trombones of all time. Introduced in the 1950s and still going strong today, the 88H remains a top choice for orchestral and classical performers.
This particular example received full shop service prior to being archived: chemical bath, rotor clean and service, dent removal on the bell stem near the diamond brace, and upgraded slide cross brace due to prior grip wear. The handslide shows no plating loss on the inner tubes, and alignment is excellent. You’ll notice some cosmetic wear—typical lacquer loss and minor pitting—most visible on the slide grip, but the horn plays open, resonant, and balanced throughout the range.
The sound is exactly what one hopes for in a true Elkhart 88H: broad, colorful, and centered with warmth, especially in the mid and low registers. This trombone is a great fit for the advancing classical player ready to step into a pro-level large bore horn, or for someone searching for the authentic Elkhart feel without the mint-condition price tag.
Includes a later Conn 88H hard case in good condition and the original Remington shank mouthpiece.
Can you use a modern large shank mouthpiece on an Elkhart 88H?
All Elkhart 88H trombones from this era were built with a Remington taper leadpipe, which is slightly more open and straighter than the standard modern large shank (Morse) taper. A modern mouthpiece will usually insert securely and feel stable—no wobble—but it won’t seat flush due to the taper mismatch, leaving a small but noticeable gap. Most players wouldn’t realize this unless they were specifically looking for it.
In fact, we’ve known many players over the years who used standard shanks for decades without issue—until they tried a true Remington taper. The result is often surprising: better tone focus, easier response, and a more solid, centered sound across all registers.
Vintage Schilke mouthpieces tend to match well with Remington receivers, and Bach previously produced several Remington taper mouthpieces including the 6½, 5G, 5GB, 4G, and 4GB. While new Remington mouthpieces are increasingly rare, used examples still appear in circulation and are well worth seeking out if you're playing an original Elkhart 88H.
This Conn 88H has been sold and is now shown here as a historical reference for musicians and collectors.
🔎 View all current trombones in stock
