Yes, this is a dilemma, trying to find the right horn when you don't have access. Hoss had a good suggestion with "hornplayer.com". If you see something you like there, the seller will generally ship the horn, after receiving a check for the purchase price from you, with the understanding that if you don't want it, you ship it back at your expense and he/she sends you back your money upon receipt of the horn. Don't know where you live, but if you are within driving distance of a major city there should be a larger instrument store where you can try a variety of horns...new and used (placed on consignment). In the San Francisco Bay area, Best Music in Oakland is the place to go; I purchased a used Yamaha 862 there years ago for a very reasonable price. Call these big stores before traveling there and they will certainly tell you what they have at that moment. I think I've heard that "The Woodwind & The Brasswind" (www.wwandbw.com) will accept new instruments back purchased from them, within a couple weeks of the purchase, if found to be unsuitable. Of course they must be in original new condition, and their policies related to this should be checked with them. However, I agree with Hoss that your best value is to find a used horn. This both keeps your costs down and allows for a good resale price (compared to what you paid for it) if and when you want to sell it. One note about Atkinson horns...I hear the custom horns he builds are very good, but that he also imports cheap, student line horns to sell to students not wanting to pay too much. I hear these are to be avoided. I also strongly suggest that since you are relatively new to this activity, you get an experienced hornist involved...one that knows the various makes, their general playing characteristics, and their idiosyncrasies, and what questions to ask the sellers of used horns.
Fred -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2003 8:47 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Hornlist] Horn Buying Hello everyone, Im thinking of buying a horn for myself, Im a freshman in HS and I am playing on a repaired Holton H180 (in 8th grade i was playing on a Holton H179, the valves sounded like a percusion section.). I take lessons and such. I wanna buy a new french horn for myself, so I dont have to worry about the school taking it, and I dont want to play on something people have treated like crap. I was thinking of buying a Conn 8D with gold or rosebrass and a detachable bell, what model would that make it? Or a Hans Hoyer horn, (my lesson teacher is using one, and I lover her sound), but I dont know which model. There is one problem, my local music store doesnt have horns on shelf, or in there stock (there not gonna have $3000 instruments on shelf when they are not in demand down here.), so what they do is, they special order them for the serious customer, so I cant try them out. Niether can my lesson teacher. Are Conn 8D's and Hoyer Horns more consistent from horn to horn (same brand and model) now days, with our technology? Should I special order one? What are the chances it plays like a piece of crap? Also what other models of horns from different brands do you recommend that are good (and are very consistent from horn to horn, without trying them out) , and are within a $2500-$4200 price range? Your comments and advice will greatly be appreciated. Michael K. P.S. How are the Conn 8D horns nowadays (new, not old ones) and the Hoyers? And what model would a Conn 8D be if I wanted it in gold or rosebrass, with a detachable bell? Thank you. _______________________________________________ post: [EMAIL PROTECTED] set your options at http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/fbaucom%40sbcglobal.net _______________________________________________ post: [EMAIL PROTECTED] set your options at http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
