I've found myself looking for a large bore tenor again, and I've seen both of these floating around, and I wanted to get some general opinions on each. Both horns are from reputable people on here, so I have zero issues on either person giving me false impressions of horns. I'm going to just list off some pros/cons of each horn, and would love to get the communities opinions. This horn would be used for a multitude of things, playing Principal/2nd in a couple community orchestras, potentially some pit orchestra work(I do have other horns for that, so no worries if either wouldn't be a full-time pit horn), and potentially some solo work. For more reference, I play a Rath R100 for my small horn, and a Kanstul 1585T for my bass. I really have no preference in terms of valve.

Yamaha 882O:

Pros:

Access to replacement parts if the need arises

Unlaquered - I like both the sound and look of unlaquered horns

I've been told it has excellent high register, and the slots are well-defined

Nostalgia - I started on a Yamaha Allegro, and it feels full circle in a way

Cons:

Slide width - I'm a big fan of wider slides, I know I could swap slides out with another Yamaha/modify the Yamaha slide with a different endcrook/handslide parts, but that's a lot of work.

Non-modular - I really enjoy being able to play around with parts as they arise

I've seen that some Yamaha horns have had a "blah" sound to them, or more of a boring sound.

Kanstul 1570T:

Pros:

Wide Slide - See above

I've been told this horn also has an excellent high/low range

Niche thing - it's fun having matching brands of horns

More modular than the Yamaha, but not really by much unless I want to rebuild the slide/pull the stuck leadpipe/mount a different bell.

Cons:

Unless I'm reworking a lot of parts, harder to get replacement parts

No slide lock - Not necessarily a con, but I'll put it out there

Would love some opinions/thoughts/other things to consider. Thanks in advance!

I'd say you gonna get two different vibes. I think the 882O is hard to beat if you are buying them sight unseen. Parts availability and consistency also have appeal to me. Pragmatic is the word that comes to mind when I think about Yamaha horns.

Can't speak to the 1570T other than these points: I owned a 750 and that was a GREAT horn I regret selling. Wide slide will definitely play different than the Yamaha. I'd want to try it before purchase if that was possible.

Good video to check out:

<YOUTUBE id="V_k7l7MqSPM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_k7l7MqSPM</YOUTUBE>

Honestly it depends what you want to use it for. The Yamaha (which is my horn) would be the choice if you’re playing 2nd in the orchestra, or principal if you have a strong section next to you.

The Kanstul would make a better all around horn. If you want to play pit orchestras or solo recitals it would lighten up better than the Yamaha. I’ve played some Kanstuls I quite liked (including an independent bass whatever the model # was) but to me they’re not orchestra horns.

The 882O plays very tight, and very inflexible for me. The cork barrels are very short, and I was always pinching the heel of my hand with the slide.

[quote="DJWPE"]The 882O plays very tight, and very inflexible for me. The cork barrels are very short, and I was always pinching the heel of my hand with the slide.[/quote]

^^^^ What he said. About the cork barrels.