Hello all,

I am currently looking for a beginners french horn for somebody. My price range is up to $200.

Thanks!

I tried a York Schmidt wrap a few days ago, good for learning the mid-high range, but the low end was shot, the rotors were tough, and the perinet valve was a touch wobbly. With 800-1200 worth of work, it would be worth giving as a starting horn. It was 800. I doubt you'll find anything I'd recommend for less than 1000. And, I get guff from folks, but I don't think one should start on just an F horn. For the past 100 years these should be considered specialty horns meant for playing period correct classical repertoire. Even if it is a small kid, get them a compensating horn if weight is a concern.

You might want to keep an eye on Ebay for any King or Jupiter double horns that come up. I found an old King 1159 for about $450 on Ebay that was great for me to learn on. I've since upgraded.

Only 200?? If you find one at that price and it's a good horn, you're one lucky fello. Good luck!

You never know what you can find on E-bay. A couple years ago, I purchased a Reynolds Bb single on Ebay for $200. I originally thought it would just be a clunker that my grandkids could honk around on before their first year of band. But.... turns out, it's such a nice instrument, I've actually used it in performance. Also because it's so nice, I won't let my grandkids touch it until they are mature enough to handle it carefully when they start grade school band. It's going to be both a wonderful "starter horn" and an instrument one of them can use through high school if desired.

Valerie Wells
The Balanced Embouchure Method
http://beforhorn.blogspot.com/

Hello, we can help.

My name is Dutch from MusicStoreCentral.com in Denver, Colorado. We are a small music store that specializes in used band & orchestra instruments. Trumpets and french horns are our speciality!

We have quite a few american name brand used french horns that have gone through our repair shop and are for sale between $150 and $350:

http://musicstorecentral.com/150-to-349-french-horns/

All of our french horns come with a mouthpiece and case and are guaranteed playable. Please take a moment for check out our website and feel free to call us (ask for Erik) with any questions ph#(303)458-5900

please remember that every used horn purchased from a garage sale, eBay, or Craigslist almost always have intonation tubes that don't slide and valves that are sticky. Every used french horn we've ever had into our shop had these same issues. Repair shops typical charge $75 to $150 (and up) to rebuild the valves and "un-stick" the intonation tubes.