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W Scott · 03-06-2004, 05:09 PM

My new horn from Alaska Pro Horn is here. I bought a Constellation 38B and it arrived here yesterday. So, here are my impressions of the horn:

Fit and Finish:
Overall, very good. The engraving is clear and crisp, the plating overall is good. I just have two problems with the finish. On the leadpipe brace to the second valve, there is a blemish. I think it's lacquer, but it might be solder. It's quite noticable and about the size of a girls pinky fingernail. The tuning slides top collar (the side facing out) has a dent in it also about the same size as the other blemish. If you get the horn in good, strong light you can see very tiny, pinpoint size 'dips' in the finish. I wondered if it would be possible to restore a horn back to 'new' finish and I'm beginning to think that it's not. Anyway, Alaska said I could send the horn back to have it fixed.

The only other noticable faults are a very sticky second valve, which might be fixable with more playing and more lubricant. I also noticed that the spring for the spit valve on the tuning slide is rather weak and probably should be replaced to keep the horn from leaking.

Playablility----
I'd describe it as 'very good'. I've always heard how big the bells were and how heavy these horns are. So, I found it surprising that the bell on my Director Cornet is bigger, and the cornet seems to be just as heavy. The Constellation has more of the weight in that long bell, but on the whole the two horns feel about the same.

I was also surprised to find that the 'feel' of playing the Constellation is much the same as for my Director. The Constellation doesn't get tight as you go above the staff and has a really good high register which the Director doesn't.

The sound is just beautiful. Rich, solid, slightly dark and sweet. The bell resonates very well and projects beautifully. What surprised me is that although the feedback is good, there is still more sound coming out of the bell than what is coming back. I was also surprised that there isn't much sound going to the sides---the sound seems to either 'wash back' or project out the front of the horn.

As far as I can tell, using a tuned piano, the Constellation plays in tune. I tuned it to an electronic tuner for 'Bb', which it matched easily.

So, am I happy with the horn? Basically yes, although I'm still not sure if those two, small blemishes are worth quibbling over. It's a beautiful horn with a great sound and for just under $700 with shipping/handling, it seems to me to be a really great value.

Bill

03-06-2004, 05:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
W Scott Piano User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Carson City, NV. Posts: 490	My new horn from Alaska Pro Horn is here. I bought a Constellation 38B and it arrived here yesterday. So, here are my impressions of the horn: Fit and Finish: Overall, very good. The engraving is clear and crisp, the plating overall is good. I just have two problems with the finish. On the leadpipe brace to the second valve, there is a blemish. I think it's lacquer, but it might be solder. It's quite noticable and about the size of a girls pinky fingernail. The tuning slides top collar (the side facing out) has a dent in it also about the same size as the other blemish. If you get the horn in good, strong light you can see very tiny, pinpoint size 'dips' in the finish. I wondered if it would be possible to restore a horn back to 'new' finish and I'm beginning to think that it's not. Anyway, Alaska said I could send the horn back to have it fixed. The only other noticable faults are a very sticky second valve, which might be fixable with more playing and more lubricant. I also noticed that the spring for the spit valve on the tuning slide is rather weak and probably should be replaced to keep the horn from leaking. Playablility---- I'd describe it as 'very good'. I've always heard how big the bells were and how heavy these horns are. So, I found it surprising that the bell on my Director Cornet is bigger, and the cornet seems to be just as heavy. The Constellation has more of the weight in that long bell, but on the whole the two horns feel about the same. I was also surprised to find that the 'feel' of playing the Constellation is much the same as for my Director. The Constellation doesn't get tight as you go above the staff and has a really good high register which the Director doesn't. The sound is just beautiful. Rich, solid, slightly dark and sweet. The bell resonates very well and projects beautifully. What surprised me is that although the feedback is good, there is still more sound coming out of the bell than what is coming back. I was also surprised that there isn't much sound going to the sides---the sound seems to either 'wash back' or project out the front of the horn. As far as I can tell, using a tuned piano, the Constellation plays in tune. I tuned it to an electronic tuner for 'Bb', which it matched easily. So, am I happy with the horn? Basically yes, although I'm still not sure if those two, small blemishes are worth quibbling over. It's a beautiful horn with a great sound and for just under $700 with shipping/handling, it seems to me to be a really great value. Bill __________________ Gabriel is NOT a woodwind player!