Question:
Conn vs Yamaha French Horns?
Emma Bean
2011-01-08 19:31:29 UTC
Hey so I'm looking into buying/renting-to-own a french horn, and right now I have it down to a Conn or a Yamaha. Which instrument is the overall better brand to trust? Which one is more wear-proof? Which is better value for your money?
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer.
Seven answers:
PAPPA XMAS
2011-01-09 15:50:02 UTC
If your main criteria for this question is which one will last longer then the answer is the Conn. It has more solder in the joints in general and the metal is a tad thicker. Conn 6Ds last a very long time indeed!



I have heard gripes from other repairmen about the Yamaha, and I have had to rebuild one because many of the solder joints were giving way.



The 6D is celebrating its 75 birthday this year in its present form, and the 8D has been around almost as long. They have all the bugs out.
coolpotatoeslive
2011-01-10 19:44:19 UTC
My suggestion simply from a financial perspective is do not rent to own...alot of the money goes to interest (as in any loan) not to the instrument. If money is tight a used horn might be a better choice for right now, plus you would have more options than just Conn/Yamaha within any given price range. However to answer your question there are several options

Conn 6D and 8D

Yamaha 567, 667, 667V, 668

I would NOT recommend rent to own for a Conn 6D or Yamaha 567. These are both intermediate models and if you become serious about music will need something better, probably about the time you finally finish paying off the loan. These would however be great instruments to buy used. Assuming you kept them in the condition you purchased them, you could probably get back most of your money selling it when you decide to upgrade.

The Conn 8D and Yamaha 668 are very similar horns, both large bell and available in nickel. Between those 2 I would go with the Conn, they are common, well built, and easy to sell used.

The yamaha 667 and 667V are a very different playing style than the Conn. The 667 has a much smaller bell throat, which gives it different playing characteristics. Those characteristics however are a personal choice. (I actually switched from a large nickel horn to a 667) There is a good market for used 667s (more so than the more expensive 667V, the 667V really isn't worth the extra $$ over the 667 in my opinion) and there are also several repairmen that will tweak factory 667s

So if you rent go with a Conn8D or Yamaha 667, but those are very different and which one you choose is a personal playing style choice. However I still strongly encourage finding a used instrument you can afford and buying it outright, from a financial standpoint that is FAR superior to any rent to own and will give you more time to find out what's out there and what kind of horn you really need before you purchase a truly professional model.
Lynnell
2015-08-10 07:40:13 UTC
This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Conn vs Yamaha French Horns?

Hey so I'm looking into buying/renting-to-own a french horn, and right now I have it down to a Conn or a Yamaha. Which instrument is the overall better brand to trust? Which one is more wear-proof? Which is better value for your money?

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer.
2016-10-02 07:22:48 UTC
Yamaha French Horn
Kelsey B
2011-01-08 21:49:51 UTC
The one that is more wear-proof will be the one that is not nickel (silver), the nickel has a material in it that actually erodes over time, and with handling it.

So if you only have two options for horns nickel or not, go for the one that is not made of nickel.



Other then that, I suggest to go for Yamaha, I was very hesitant with them at first, but quite a few of their horns are much better then Conns.



But, play them both, see witch one you are more comfortable with, you will be the best judge for this.
Greg
2011-01-08 21:46:48 UTC
I prefer Holton myself, but between those two, I would suggest Conn. Some people swear by Yamaha brass, but I've never been a fan. That said, try both, and go with the one that feels better to you.
2016-03-21 06:04:54 UTC
Its odd but even very, very picky players can't seem to find any difference between the way a screw bell plays compared to a fixed bell. Their are maybe 3 advantages to the screw bell. The case is much smaller and easier to travel with, you can try different bells, and the resale value goes up a hundred bucks or so. That's about it.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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