Are the 71H's that are pantograph engraved "Artist Symphony" as good of quality as the older ones with the traditional Conn engraving?

Mostly no....but you get the odd good one.

Chris

Artist Symphony are post-Elkhart. The reputation of Conn Elkhart horns is the highest, but the reality of quality and playability can change from horn to horn due to original manufacturing as well as any work or damage that has been done in the last 50 years. Elkhart stuff certainly commands a higher resale price. You have to be your own judge when it comes to post-Elkhart quality. I've played very excellent post-Elkhart instruments, and Elkhart era stuff that was pretty iffy. Depends very much on condition and history.

I had an "Artist" engraved 71H bell that i had made into an interchangeable bell with my Elkhart engraved bell. The artist bell was way different playing, not necessarily bad, but different enough to where i never really used it and eventually sold it.