| My suggestion to you if you want a good horn that plays well and is going to last in that price range is to buy something used. Ask around and see if you know anyone who has something they aren't using and are willing to part with. Horns to look for:
Bach Strads (hard to go wrong with a good ML 37)
Benges (preferably early LA years or earlier, although those usually are more than $600)
Yamahas (pro models)
King Silver Flairs
Conn Constellations
Kanstuls
Don't be afraid to buy something a little older - a good brass tech can put the horn through the wringer in terms of chem cleaning and valves work for a reasonable amount of money. Also, don't be afraid to buy a horn that looks a bit tattered around the edges. (unless it has obviously been abused) I have a Bach Strad L bore, 25 bell that looks pretty rough, but mainly around the valve casing, and where I had the bell brace moved. One of the reasons it looks rough is because I have put A LOT of hours on it in the 9 years I have owned it. At the moment I'm not using it because I now have a Schilke B6 that has become my axe of choice.
Good luck - keep us posted on what you find and if you aren't sure about something, ask away here online - there are guys here with tons of knowledge about what's what, especially on the good used older horns.
__________________ Patrick Gleason
email me at: trickg1@hotmail.com
"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
"At my signal, unleash hell."
- Maximus Decimus Meridius |