soundgrazer

I am sorry to say that you MUST try these horns before making a choice.

As far as finding a "less piercing" cornet sound, well, all cornets will give you that if you are comparing them to regular trumpets. The mouthpiece you use has a huge effect on the tone, so really, how can you ask us to compare these horns? For quality, perhaps, but you do not know the real condition of these old horns. My advice is to go to music stores and try second hand instruments (unless you a real die- hard collector) and PLAY THEM. I am confident you will find one in your budget.
The King Master would be my choice perhaps, but maybe not yours.
Bach Mercedes, Lacqueur: I have a trumpet, not a cornet. It is a heavy model and VERY difficult to play. It has tight slotting that some people like but I cannot stand. It does have a nice sound though.

rbdeli

I agree that the only really way to learn about a horn is to try it. The problem is that you really need to spend a few weeks with it. At the rate horns are being traded, sold and bought on eBay, unless you're an absolute beginner, there really isn't much risk in buying it first, then trying it for a few weeks at your own leisure. If you are an absolute beginner, it's pretty hard to form any impressions of how it plays and sounds just buy trying in a store.

Just my two cents, FWIW.

Cornets

__________________
Find your favorite Trumpet

mattbeme

Good advice. Really, I was just looking for personal opinions on the particular models. Yes, opinions vary and can be quite subjective however, there are usually common 'threads' or trends which can be seen among the varied opinions of a particular model when all the opinions are viewed as whole. I'm looking for the general trends which seem to point towards the features/sound I'm looking for.

I really have no way of trying out horns in any nearby stores as there simply are very very few used horns within perhaps 200 miles.

I just bought a 1957 Olds Super and should receive it in a few weeks. Perhaps it may be a little brighter than what I want but we'll see how it goes. With little money to work with and the high cost of having to buy horns in the US and have them shipped to Canada with the high taxes the government charges at the border and the high shipping costs Canadians have to pay.... well I guess I don't have the luxury of trying different models and then re-selling the ones I don't like. It is difficult for Canadians to sell anything online to US buyers. We end up losing a lot every time we re-sell something with the small amount we end up with for a horn after factoring in what we lost in the taxes, shipping and the smaller price we get in the re-sale.
So.... I need to try to get what I need the FIRST time!

Thanks for all help
Matt Bourdeau