Sub-$400 medium bore horns

Hobart · by **Hobart** » 2020-08-05 10:58 p.m.

I find I've been looking on Craigslist more than usual, and I found two somewhat bargain-bin medium bore horns that would be good for knocking around and fall in my relatively low price range. I'm between a Conn 50H and a Holton TR-602F.

The Conn 50H is your run of the mill 50H but has "USA" on the bell. I'm unsure if it's early Abilene or late Elkhart, but it has the original case and possibly the original warranty card listing an Elkhart address.

The Holton lacks a case, but it also lacks the Holton medallion. Otherwise, I find that not a lot of people talk about the TR-602F and I would like to find more information on it.

Which one of these horns would be the better/least bad buy? I'm looking for something acceptable to use for a medium horn so I can use it in places I'd be concerned about my large bore horn going. My colleges band program does not compete, and is mostly non-credit, and I'd probably use the horn in rehearsal because the band shares space (including storage) with the athletic department.

Elow · by **Elow** » 2020-08-05 11:42 p.m.

Can’t expect much from those so i would just choose whichever has the best slide. But i also have a soft spot for conns, so i would choose the conn.

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-08-06 12:49 a.m.

Take the Conn, fix up / maintain the slide, and don't look back. Excellent price if it's in decent shape.

andym · by **andym** » 2020-08-06 1:24 a.m.

How big are your hands and how much will you be playing the horn? I grew up playing an early Abilene, surprisingly good 50H with really good tone. I played it the first couple of years back to playing as an adult including community band and orchestra concerts. But it was a bit uncomfortable because it is really designed for small hands. Mine aren’t that big but are bigger than when I was a kid. Maybe it was ok through high school because I was used to it. But once I switched to a Bach 36B and a Shires large bore I realized how much more comfortable my hand was. Anyway that is just one factor. There are some good 50H’s out there. And it might be great for your purpose.

Hobart · by **Hobart** » 2020-08-06 1:29 a.m.

I think my hands are decently average sized, but I got a coprion 18H from about the same period which I don't mind the ergonomics of. If the 50H is anything close and not entirely a dog, I might go ahead and spring for it.

DaveAshley · by **DaveAshley** » 2020-08-07 1:53 p.m.

Look around for a Yamaha 356 as well. I got mine for less than $400, and it's a really good horn!

Posaunus · by **Posaunus** » 2020-08-07 2:26 p.m.

[quote="andym"]How big are your hands and how much will you be playing the horn? ... it was a bit uncomfortable because it is really designed for small hands.[/quote]

I'm a normal-sized adult with normal-sized hands, and have no trouble with what some call "narrow" slides. :idk:

noordinaryjoe · by **noordinaryjoe** » 2020-08-07 2:37 p.m.

[quote="DaveAshley"]Look around for a Yamaha 356 as well. I got mine for less than $400, and it's a really good horn![/quote]

For just a *pinch* more Fruitysloth has a nice one of those for sale here, in nice shape and ready to play:

<LINK_TEXT text="https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php? ... b01990c112">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=15803&sid=917f94868c4452b0842956b01990c112</LINK_TEXT>

jtbandmusic · by **jtbandmusic** » 2020-08-07 3:57 p.m.

For a good mid-size I would try a used Yamaha 446G, straight .525, 8 1/2" bell, gold brass bell.

There should be a lot of these around.

John Thompson.

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Sub-$400 medium bore horns