most overrated horns

[JohnL]

The most over-rated horn is the one a vendor at the NAMM show (or ITF, or ETW, or…) hands you and says, “This one is our BEST SELLER!!!”

Ah, but what if they've only sold one horn in the past year and it was that model? Then it would most certainly be their "best seller".

[Arendsdale]

I might get flak for this, but I personally strongly dislike the Conn 88H. Every time I've played one, I just don't like how it feels, the sound, and the response I get.

[Posaunus]

I might get flak for this, but I personally strongly dislike the Conn 88H. Every time I've played one, I just don't like how it feels, the sound, and the response I get.

No flak. But - to each his own. I've loved my 88H since I purchased it in 1972!

[davdud101]

Wessex Bass Trumpet.... Fun to play, until it breaks in half on gig day. I sense a lot of their stuff would be similar to this.

Not a trombone, but the ACB Doublers flugel gets a toooon of word of mouth.. I had mine for 8 years, and played tons on it. I just never felt like it was fluid or easy to get a tone on. If someone just wants a flugel, it's an okay option, but it needs a couple mods to really be worth it's salt imo (different leadpipe, lighter valve springs). Can find a good Getzen Eterna for the price of a new ACB Doubler, and those are WAY better

[harrisonreed]

I might get flak for this, but I personally strongly dislike the Conn 88H. Every time I've played one, I just don't like how it feels, the sound, and the response I get.

Which era? Or all of them? The worst are the ones with the Remington taper that weren't built in Elkhart.

[VJOFan]

I’ve been toying with getting a bass trombone but $$$$ are insane! Particularly the price of the Bach 50 series horns seems to make them by default over rated.

As far as other horns making the list here I’ve loved my Yamahas (YSL 691 (1987) YSL 891z (now)) because they do not put “character” into my sound. I don’t have to think about the horn at all. I get to make the music sound how I want it to sound.That was my experience with a fitted Edward’s also. I’d defend my Bach 42B as well just because of the price to performance ratio of the one I’ve had since 1992.

I think where overrated rally comes into play is when the “custom” brands put out retail models. The point of custom is that it fits you and your playing. If you truly get a horn customized, it should live up to the hype of the brand name.

[Posaunus]

I’ve been toying with getting a bass trombone but $$$$ are insane! Particularly the price of the Bach 50 series horns seems to make them by default over rated.

As far as other horns making the list here I’ve loved my Yamahas ...

Yes, the prices of Bach 50 series basses appear to be high (new and used), but they keep selling them - apparently they're very successful in the academic market (high schools and college). Yamahas seem to be more consistent (quality and sound) and available at more reasonable prices. Looking back, my Yamaha bass was a great bargain.

[Bach5G]

106 posts. That must include every horn out there.

[Arendsdale]

I might get flak for this, but I personally strongly dislike the Conn 88H. Every time I've played one, I just don't like how it feels, the sound, and the response I get.

Which era? Or all of them? The worst are the ones with the Remington taper that weren't built in Elkhart.

I've only ever played modern (last 20 years) models, and I haven't liked any of them

[harrisonreed]

Which era? Or all of them? The worst are the ones with the Remington taper that weren't built in Elkhart.

I've only ever played modern (last 20 years) models, and I haven't liked any of them

I had a 88HT-CL from 2004 that was really great. The GEN II series from East Lake was special ...

Elkies from the 50's and 60's can also be really special

[Posaunus]

I might get flak for this, but I personally strongly dislike the Conn 88H. Every time I've played one, I just don't like how it feels, the sound, and the response I get.
...
I've only ever played modern (last 20 years) models, and I haven't liked any of them

I had a 88HT-CL from 2004 that was really great. The GEN II series from East Lake was special ...
Elkies from the 50's and 60's can also be really special

I guess it's mostly a matter of taste. My early 70s 88H has been wonderful (still playing it after 50+ years), and I've also been very pleased playing a non-Elkhart (2003?) 88HCL. My preference vs. a similarly-sized Bach (42 family) any day.

[jjenkins]

I might get flak for this, but I personally strongly dislike the Conn 88H. Every time I've played one, I just don't like how it feels, the sound, and the response I get.

Have you ever tried an 88HT? I really like how those play.

[MrHCinDE]

106 posts. That must include every horn out there.

Not much negative feedback from people who have had a tech build something or carry out major mods for them though. I count myself in this group by the way.

Either those who go that route have the magic sauce and somehow come up with better ideas than any specialist horn designer, or perhaps their techs do, or perhaps nobody wants to admit they spent a fortune on a custom job that didn’t work. It wouldn’t exactly be overrated due to the one-off nature but perhaps better to say not worth what it cost to get done.

I’m a fan of custom work but would say in hindsight I’ve been lucky to have a tech who pointed me in the right direction when I was talking nonsense, could have been very expensive otherwise.

[cubetrom]

I have to say my (modern) 88H experiences have left me feeling rather unimpressed.

On the other hand I love my Yamaha, so... you know, different strokes.

[Kevbach33]

The Getzen Custom series basses are overrated to me, and initially made me write off axial flow valves for years. There are caveats, though: in hindsight, I wonder if my distaste for it was because of the installed #2 pipe, which i still dislike in my Eterna (underrated horn to me, btw).

Then a couple of Shires instruments, a custom tenor and Q bass, and an Edwards tenor showed me that axial flow valves can work on the right setup. Ymmv.

In other brass, and especially in school systems, my answer definitely goes to the Yamaha 201, 321 and 641 BBb tubas. Why do directors continue to buy these??

[Blabberbucket]

106 posts. That must include every horn out there.

Not much negative feedback from people who have had a tech build something or carry out major mods for them though. I count myself in this group by the way.

Either those who go that route have the magic sauce and somehow come up with better ideas than any specialist horn designer, or perhaps their techs do, or perhaps nobody wants to admit they spent a fortune on a custom job that didn’t work. It wouldn’t exactly be overrated due to the one-off nature but perhaps better to say not worth what it cost to get done.

I’m a fan of custom work but would say in hindsight I’ve been lucky to have a tech who pointed me in the right direction when I was talking nonsense, could have been very expensive otherwise.

Good assembly work goes a long way in making a horn play well, and extensive custom work often involves more-or-less rebuilding an instrument.

[MrHCinDE]

Good assembly work goes a long way in making a horn play well, and extensive custom work often involves more-or-less rebuilding an instrument.

You’re right, my post was somewhat flippant. Every horn that has passed through the hands of my trusted tech came back better, whether modified or just setup right.