Per a previous posting, I'm checking out instruments in the hopes my 8D will sell. I love Geyer wrap instruments as well as CF Schmidts. One interesting horn maker I've come across is Jiracek. They seem to buy a German made valve section and create the rest of the corpus, and possibly the bell. Their model 102 seems very nice with many options and nicely done mini-ball valve linkage. Something worrisome is that I've only see a few reviews of the natural horns and no independent review of the valved-horns. Has anyone played these instruments, specifically the 102? I think the European bell with the Alexander style leadpipe would be a nice combo.

If you are going to go with a Jiracek then the European bell and Alex style leadpipe I think would be a nice combo.

I have not played one yet. If you can get a trial period from their Maryland or California 'dealer' great; if not then I wouldn't suggest going there. By the way their alledged California location does not list them on their site, so they're not going out of their way to advertise them. I do not suggest getting one shipped from outside the country either; return fees and return taxes in some countries will be ridiculous.

Of the players listed as playing them, none of the players websites have pictures of them playing the Jiracek horn. So, I don't think it is their primary horn. I would suggest staing with the known (unless of course you can get one to try out). And by the way you should be ready to buy even if you don't liek it. True story - I was trying out a hron and had it at a rehearsal. I turned away for a moment and when I looked back someone had dented the horn. I had to buy it as I could not return it in the same condition I recieved it in.

Thanks for the advice. I asked the Horn Guys if they carry anything other than the natural horns. The reply was no, but they may look into it. Mr. Jiracek is running a holiday sale that if I had an opportunity to try one and I liked it, this would be a fine price. But, I was nervous about how much shipping alone was. If I had to return it would have been nearly 1000 US to insure and ship. I wish that the company would supply a trial horn for each representative, it would make decisions a little easier.