I am an adult amatuer getting back into playing after a 6 year hiatus. Previously I asked a question about Jupiter and was told maybe to try some other brands (not necessarily Conn, Holton, etc) but some less expensive but good quality ones. Can anyone recommend a few names. There is not much information out there beyond the top known names. Would Amati, Besson, or something like that be a good intermediate horn until I can save up for a better quality one? I played an H179 for about 15 years in school/college and for a few years in community setting and miss it dearly. Thanks for your help.

My issues with the more inexpensve horns is the quality of the metals and workmanship make them difficult to play and you can never get a very good sound from them.

If you played an H179, I do not think you would be happy with a Jupiter or any other lesser name. They just take too much work to get anything out of them. My sugesstion is to look for a used Holton or Conn 6d or 28d. I do not know what your price range is right now but older used 6d's can be got for $200-$350. And they will sound better than any of the lesser named horns. Of course you will be sacrificing beauty since most of them have been beat pretty well - but they sound good.

John

My issues with the more inexpensve horns is the quality of the metals and workmanship make them difficult to play

Most "known brand" manufacturers now rebrand Chinese instruments for their student ranges and increasingly for their intermediate range instruments. In my experience the consistency, quality of workmanship and metals is better than those "known brand" manufacturers achieved themselves and the price is lower. For own brand Chinese woodwind instruments there is a serious issue of spares eg replacement keys but for brass instruments this is a rare problem - no worse then getting parts for an old model. Other own brand instrument as copies of old models - and play so much like them they have the same characteristics!

I wouldn't buy a second hand "known brand" (eg Yamaha, Conn or Holton) student or intermediate instrument including a 6D and 28D without trying some new Chinese instruments. I have never been impressed with older West European horns including Besson, Boosey & Hawkes, La Fleur etc although that may be more of a personal preference or a reflection on inconsistent quality of instrument. Older East European instruments (Hoyer, Lidl etc) are often under valued - their modern or new equivalents are probably less of a bargain.

Bottom: you need to find some stores to try out some horns and see what you like ...