Hey there fellow horn players! I'm an 18 year old still in High School, about to graduate and head into college. About a year ago I decided to search a Horn. I found a paxman 23L with a Medium C.F. Schmidt bell, and immediately bought it and fell in love. It's 9 years old now, and I've been playing it for a year and a half.
The problem is, it was used with intensity in the Puerto Rican symphony and I can see it's taken some damage. Not only to the lacquer, but also to some of the areas on the horn. Those areas have been (mostly) fixed, except for the lacquer.
I've also obtained a 1970 Conn 8D N series over the years and are in plan to sell it. However, with the money from the 8D, I've been wondering whether to put it into relacquering the Paxman or perhaps put it towards buying an Alexander or Atkinson. Are there any opinions out there?
An 8D N series and a PAX 23L?
Hmmmmmmm.
Is the Conn with a detachable bell?
Before you get rid of the N series you should probably check out where you think you might be going to college. See what the instructor there is playing and what the other players are playing. It would be nice to blend with everyone for the next 4 or 5 years. You might be surprised what groups you are invited to play with and not invited to play with based on what horn you play.
Lacquer is never an issue with french horns is my opinion. What else is wrong with the Paxman (other than the mediumm bell)?
Relacquering is expensive when done correctly. If you don't think you are being overcharged then it is probably not going to be a good lacquer job. Your horn needs to be taken apart, cleaned, buffed, neutralized, and then lacquered in a clean room.
Some of the Alexanders are quite nice. But they are inconsistent in quality. Atkinson Horns are very consistent and mostly based on the mathematical numbers of the old Conn 8D's. I have not yet seen or played an Atkinson horn I didn't like. He knows his stuff.
If you were me you would keep the Conn 8D N series and use it as your primary horn. You would contact Atkinson horns and ask him/them to make you a large bell for your Paxman 23L. If you can afford it have him make you a "light" or thin bell out of Ambronze - I suggest .16"). You will fall in love with your Paxman even more.
If you are not me and you want a nice shinny horn of professional qaulity for college, then sell both horns (perhaps trade them over to Atkinson) and purchase an A102B. OR better yet, if you can wait just a little while longer, call Atkinson and talk to them about the new release(s)coming out. I think next month - I'm going up there next month to play around with them.
The Paxman's are fantastic horns and I would really consider sticking with it but if you are looking at an Alex...
I have just ordered a new 103 and they are definitely THE orchestral standard over here in Europe and nothing so far is coming close to replacing them. They have a fantastic sound, the only thing I could really fault is the fact that C# is sometimes a bit of a struggle to find on them, but that is really nitpicking. Their reputation for iffy consistency is much improved - I had doubts myself but after trying about 20 different 103's and all of them being perfect I would have to say that they've addressed the issue. They are fantastic horns and the best I have found but of course, they might not be for everyone, it depends on your personal taste!
N series are good horns. If it is in good condition you can get a great price for it. I have seen a lot of people selling them for $2300- 2800, which is cheap for an N series that has a good sound. I would seek $3500 plus for an "N" series that sounds good, has no cracking notes and is in good condition. (Or I'll buy it for $1500). No seriously, the "N" series is a good series, many of the "N"'s can go louder than most any other horn without cracking or distorting. I see many "N" series in the trade listings for $3800 - $4300. So maybe ask $3800 or $4000 and accept no less than $3500. N, K, H, really good horns. Pre-letter series (and not the 2 digit, space, and then more numbers) but the 6 numbers in a row with no spaces) are great horns.
If I had an "N" series I wouldn't let it go for less than $4K, but I do something to my valves making them smoother and faster, whilst still keeping or improving the compression. I wouldn't sell any of my pre-letters for less than $7500.
If it were me, I'd have the paxman repaired since paxmans have a good reputation as great horns. Of course the Conn is also a great horn. If you do decide to have the paxman repaired, I would stay away from sending your horn to Atkinson Brass for repairs. I bought a Knopf from a guy in the Münchner Symphoniker (Munich Symphony) and when it came time to have the valves rebuilt, I sent the horn to Atkinson French Horns and they did a terrible job on my horn. You can click the link for more information and to see a video of my horn after the repair. So long story short, fix the paxman or play the conn, avoid Atkinson like the plague. Just my two cents.
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