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?

Thanks!

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 ...

Thanks for the advice, everyone

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!

great information on the used horns. Where have you found to be the most reliable places to purchase the used horns? thanks

In terms of a double horn for a 7'th grader, there is another conn the CONN 6D which has a smaller bore and a little easier to blow into.

There are probably a lot of used ones around and music stores would be some of the best places to look, but sometimes even pawn shops may have one in stock. Half the time people don't know what the horn is worth and you can get a heck of a deal an a fabulous horn. A friend of mine for instance got a clarinet for $600 that turned out to be worth almost $8000.

Another horn to look at is the Yamaha, YHR 567. It too has a smaller bore and helps in the transition. There are also King double horns, which are no longer made but they are around. It turns out that Jupiter has also recently scrapped their crappy brass instrument designs, and have turned to modelling their brass after the old "Besson Sovereigns" Meaning much higher quality, and the instruments are inexpensive to purchase brand new. I used to work for a music retailer and am a multi-instrumentalist...did a lot of research and testing instruments before purchasing. I finally settled on a Conn 8DRS (Rosebrass/Nickel Silver/Detachable bell).

So the horns to look into would be:

Conn 6D (yellow brass)-Smaller bored instrument, student model double horn.

Yamaha-YHR 567 (yellow brass-Depends on who is selling and the condition of the instrument

King (older double horns, yellow brass or nickel silver/silver plated-Have seen used ones go anywhere from $400+

Jupiter (yellow brass)-Probably won't find many used ones, but new they are around 1500ish

I hope this is of some use, keep an eye out for garage sales and stuff. Sometimes people sell off decent instruments that way too. At least if you get something that is in good condition it will last a very long time. Think of it as a long term investment.

I don't know about horns, but if you are looking for an intermediate horn for your child, DO NOT buy anything that says "student horn" in the item description.

At least that's how it works in the trombone/trumpet world.