Conn 8H Abilene

[TboneLeesMills]

Interested in any experience with Conn 8H (not 88H) from the Abilene era. I am a former owner of a late 60s Elkhart 88H. Just casual playing now. Missing the dark tone of my 88H, but an Elkhart isn’t in my budget.

I found an Abilene built 8H from the late 70s. I’ve heard about build quality issues with Abilene 88Hs (pieces not fitting properly, tension, weak welds.) I have found little info out there about 8Hs of that vintage. Probably fewer were sold. Obviously I plan to play and inspect this 8H.

Questions:

Are Abilene 8H horns as prone to these build issues as the more complex 88H?

What should I look out for when I inspect and test drive the horn?