My daughter has played a single horn (both Bb and F) for almost 3 years now, and will be switching to the double horn I believe in seventh grade. Fortunately, the school has been able to provide horns for her use free of charge (we still have a Bb horn from elementary school she was allowed to keep for private lessons).
I have been interested in buying her a double horn before she starts seventh grade, but I can't afford a Conn, Bach, or Yamaha. I have seen a lot of horns on eBay that either don't say what brand they are (and are usually described as "student" horns), or are a Titan (National Music Supply sells this type). These usually go for a few hundred dollars instead of a few thousand.
Are these horns worth buying? Would it make more sense to buy a higher priced, better quality instrument, or would my daughter be able to get decent quality sound out of these cheaper eBay horns? In other words: would I be wasting money on buying a horn that wasn't a Bach, Conn, or Yamaha? When it comes to being in 7th grade (even though all of her teachers predict she can make regional band in 8th or 9th grade), would it be pointless to buy a higher quality instrument? Would a student horn last her through senior year?
Not wanting to spend thousands of dollars is great thinking on your part. If that is the case I feel you would be much better off spending money on a used horn rather than a new horn.
The inexpensive no names are thrown together and based on the way parts are fitted, type of brass used etc etc etc, can be difficult to play. Even named brand student models are difficult to play (Yamaha 500 series).
You can get a used Conn 6D, for a few hundred dollars. It doesn't need to look pretty, in junior high or middle school it's going to get dented anyway no matter how careful she is.
Conn 6D's are often referred to as a student model horn, but they are not. Because of the design and bell taper they are easier for younger players to play and because they are designed well they are easier to play as well.
Although my primary Horn is a Conn 8D, I use my 6D often in woodwind quintets, chamber groups, etc. (and I get paid the same as if I was playing my 8D, or my Paxman, or my Cortois).
If you get her a Conn 6D it will last throughout her tenure as a student. If she wants to go further or shows talent earlier she can then invest in a different instrument at that time. Spend $300-$400 dollars and be willing to spend another $100-$150 for repairs and you will have a fine horn for her that can also be used in the professional market.
I second, and make no other suggestions. I would stay away from EBay horns. They are going to be Chinese made, and not well-made at that.
A 6D is a great horn for any advancing student. They are very playable and reliable. I played on one for a year before stepping up to an 8D. I couldn't have learned on anything better. Trust me. It is worth the investment of a used 6D over a cheap, chinese horn.
The problem with buying new or used horns on ebay is that you don't get the chance to try them and confirm that you like the sound they produce when you play them. Many of the chinese instruments are of outstanding quality - certainly comparable or better than European or US manufactured instruments. Its also true that many known brand horns (mainly student and intermediate instruments) are made in China. However, when you buy an unknown brand instrument you never know until you try it whether or not its actually a reject.
When you buy a "known brand" instrument (new or used) you can also be reasonably confident that it can be resold at a good price. The resale value of unbranded Chinese instruments is low.
You should also listen to the advice of her teacher - I'd shy away from a Conn 8D unless it suited the player. At least in the UK a Yamaha, Alex or Paxman would be the expensive choice and a used Hoyer (pre-1990) or Lidl (which I personally don't like) the best buys. I dislike the valves on my Holton sufficiently not to suggest that make ...
ek brings up a very good point.(Regarding 8D's)
*sorry ahead of time for the ramble*
Us older horn players in America were brainwashed into thinking the Conn 8d is the only professional horn to use and you should have one as soon as you are considered a 'really good' horn player in high school. Unfortunately, most students who get them have 2 problems;
1 - not enough air and air efficiency to play an 8d
2 - not enough understanding of the uneven scale and ability to adjust each and every note.
The 8d's are great horns and I love mine. It is my primary horn but it has to be played everyday and you have to be very aware at all times of pitch and tone.
Since the great lectures of the 1970's other horn manufacturers have made great advances. Yamaha professional models have a very even tempered scale and are easy to play. I do not like the Yamaha horn myself, I do not care for the tone. But more of my friends play Yamahas than Conns now. Also the orchestra picture is changing from the deep dark hallowed sound of the large Conn bell taper to lighter more focused assertive sounds. Which is why more and more 1st and 3rd horn players are playing on descants (my opinion not fact).
Holtons are good begining and intermediate horns.They have a smaller hand spread which is great for younger players. As you advance I do not think they are capable of the musicallity of other horns. Conn 6ds also have a smaller hand spread and are fabulous and as I stated earlier in another thread although not a top choice for professional symphony players I do use mine often in the professioanl market (WWQ, Nonets, small chamber, and some muscicals.)
We also have the European and English horns that I am liking more and more. I just purchased a Paxman descant for my high horn playing. Alexanders, Hans Hoyers, are really good horns. Schmidt is fantastic !! And in America you have Atkinson making some nice copies and new designs that all play wondefully. I believe ek knows more about Europe and the UK than I.
ALSO
For those people who want or think they need a NEW horn, or want one as a special gift let me put this out on the table. I have never purchased a new french horn. Every horn I own has been previously owned. (I own 5). I think I know of only 1 professional player freind who is playing on a "new" horn right now. (there is a second player but he bought his new horn after he retired from playing).
Now for the math - - -(what I paid and what its worth)
$250.00 --------------$ 3,450.00
$750.00---------------$10,000.00
$150.00---------------$$ 750.00
$100.00---------------$ 25.00 (ooops)
$3500.00--------------$12,000.00
So you can see I have made an investment equal to the price of an individual new french horn. And yet I have four professional level horns. 1 is my primary and used 80% of the time. 2 are reserved for special playing situations or circumstance. 1 is more of a collector but used at Mozart festivals and such. And the last one is a peice of junk I purchased sight unseen.
No one hires me because my horn looks pretty. They hire me because I can handle the parts, I get along with the other musicians, I support my conductor and principal section leader, and they love my sound.
Sorry to ramble, but one more item I should mention.
Dr. Phillip Rehfeldt wrote in a book on woodwinds that private lessons are a choice each student must make on thier own save two exceptions - - the oboe and bassoon. The oboe and Bassoon really must have private lessons, they are that difficult and unique.
Same with brass. Private lessons are a choice for all brass, but the french horn is a unique fluke and private lessons are a must.
You might also like to consider trying a compensating double horn before moving onto a full double. I tried to go straight from a single to a full double horn but found it was too much of a jump, so I played a compensator for about a year to get used to playing the bigger instrument before I started on a full horn, and it definitely helped me.
I also got a compensating horn through my school, so it would definitely be worth checking to see if they have any instruments available. Plus it would also give you and her a year or so for her to work out how far she sees herself taking her playing so you can work out how much of an investment you should be making in a double, so less chance of wasted money! Good luck!
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