Curating a stable of horns

[jcdoubleu77]

I've amassed way too many horns. I have a bit of a problem, and it's kind of embarrassing. And I don't even really gig much at all. Just a comeback player and hobbyist who can't resist a good deal on a nice vintage horn.

I'll be moving soon and need to downsize, but I kinda love all of them.

So: just as a thought experiment, I'm curious what you would do in this situation - how would you pare down this absurd collection? What would you sell first? What is a nice small collection that would suit you? If you could only keep one, which one? What about if you could have three?

The cosmetic condition is variable, but they all play great.

(I have a pretty good idea of which ones I'll be letting go, and a couple are in the classifieds already - I'm just curious what others would do.)

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[Chronos91]

That is pretty far from what I'd call an absurd collection. I own around 40 wind instruments, and I know there are plenty on this forum with more. A couple of years ago, I did pare it down to raise money. I just picked my favorites to keep in the categories where I actually had more than one. For your, that would just mean dropping two small bores, one medium, two valve trombone, and maybe one of the euphoniums.

Do you have any that are easier to play or getting used more than the others? I guess when I had to pick the ones to sell, I didn't have that hard a time because my favorites were pretty clear.

[NotSkilledHere]

that's not an unreasonable stable at all. I have a much crazier stable than that.

I hesitate to say you should just drop any small bores because they are different horns that all have different characteristics. If anything, I'd let the Bach Mercedes go. The Super and Studio in my mind are different enough that you can argue that they can be used to fill different needs, but you could always narrow it down to one or the other if you wanted.

I would say that the 78 and 79H are arguably the same horn just + a valve for the 79H. so pick one or the other. I would pick the 79H because I prefer med bores to have an F attachment in case I need it, but you also have the 88H below, so that kind of covers the need for an F so it's really up to you if you prefer straight or triggered for the med bore.

The 88H is your only large bore so keep that.

keep one of the recording valve bones. in fact, you may be able to also swap in and out of the Super/Studio slides with the Recording bell and have a sort of makeshift Olds Recording slide bone if and when you wanted to play them.

I don't know much about euphs to really say if those are distinguishably different enough to not overlap.

[harrisonreed]

If thinking about getting gigs: I would keep the 4 valve Euph, the 88H, and one or both Olds.

Possibly unpopular here: If you have small bores and a large bore tenor, the 78 / 79H variants are the ones to sell. You can likely get a lot for them from people who "only play medium bore" or really do just play pit gigs and specifically need that kind of horn. You already have other horns that will do specific jobs better.

Why do you need a marching trombone or valve trombones? Maybe there's a need. But otherwise ... Sell em and fund a bass trombone if you are trying to get gigs. You'll be able to cover the gamut.

[tbonesullivan]

I have... the same problem, as I would assume many of the people who post here do. As long as you use them, is there a need to downsize? Looking at the list, if these are all in good working condition, there are definitely some duplicates or near duplicates that can go. With me I somehow have three bass trombones, and four symphonic tenors, including two Bach 42s, one with a Thayer, and one with an Open flow. I also for some ungodly reason have two alto trombones, neither of which gets played enough, so it may be time to think about letting one go.

[rudytbone]

I'd move duplicates and student model horns, unless you have a strong personal attachment. I have a number of Olds horns and may be moving a duplicate Super I picked up a few years ago.

[AtomicClock]

As long as you use them, is there a need to downsize?

How much dust is on each case? That's a big sign.

[Burgerbob]

I'd keep the Olds studio, 78H spec, 88H, your favorite valve trombone, and the willson 2900.

I say that having duplicates of many things myself.

[mrdeacon]

I recently bought a 90s Willson 2900BS and it’s a cool horn! The large shank receiver really changes the feel of the horn.

Apparently vintage 2900BS are common outside of the states and very few have been imported into the states. Definitely keep it unless you’re strapped for cash.

[jcdoubleu77]

Nice - I love hearing the different perspectives! I know it's not an absurd amount for some people, but I'm not a professional, a semi-pro, or a collector. I'm a high school English teacher and comeback player and hobbyist. So no reason to have so many horns other than it's fun to try them all out.

Anyways, here's what I was thinking.

I've got to keep the Super since it was a gift. That probably means letting the Studio go. Burgerbob - why did you suggest the Studio over the Super? Just curious.

I'm on the fence about the Bach. Yes it's nominally a mid-level horn, but it plays so well. It's also got this super gnarly patina that I love. Lots of personality. And it's a New York Bach. So it's got that, for whatever it's worth.

The marching baritone is definitely an odd one, but I actually have a gig that requires it. So that's gotta stay. It's fun to play.

I'm primarily a euphonium player, so the 2900BS has to stay. I'm torn about the 3-valve Marzan, since it's such an odd bird and a great player. But I haven't played it in a while, and I'm not sure when I would ever use it for a performance, so it may have to go.

For valve trombones: I'm keeping the flugabone, but otherwise not sure what I'll do.

The 78h and 78/79h are redundant, so the 78h is currently for sale. The 78h/79h is a custom convertible job I bought from someone here. I know I don't really need it if I've got the 88h and the small bores, but it might be my overall favorite horn. It would be hard to part with, so it's probably staying.

If I could only have one horn, it would be the 2900BS. If I could only have two, I'd add the 78h/79h.

Then it would probably go: Accord Flugabone, Bach Mercedes, 88h, Olds Super, then all the rest.

I'm really trying to avoid bass trombone. I don't need another one...

[hyperbolica]

Not too crazy a collection. I'd keep them in this order:

78/79h
88h
M200
Recording

After that, I'm not too excited about anything.

[NotSkilledHere]

Hearing that the Super was a gift, definitely keep that one. Gifts get an exception from a heard-thinning list in my opinion!

[JohnL]

Rather than trying to decide which ones to let go, I would suggest focusing on which ones you should keep.

[Burgerbob]

I was just choosing one of the Olds- no reason to have two in the same size. Keep the gift!

[ZacharyThornton]

I never understand having multiple horns that do the same job. I have two horns. Searching for a great small bore, but everytime I need one, I just borrow a 606 or something.

[SamBTbrn]

The rule I keep strictly too is, Every horn should have a specific performance purpose, and you should not keep horns that fill a duplicate role.
If you find one that is better, it becomes a one in one out policy.

So for your collection.
1 (maybe 2) small bore
1 medium bore
1 large bore
1 valve trombone
1 marching trombone/ baritone.
(This one is difficult because maybe for you they are used for different things.... But if you just use them for the same then what is different between the marching trombone and the valve trombone in sound....)
1 euphonium (probably the 4 valve)

That's 7 or 8 instruments cut right there.

Best of luck

[ZacharyThornton]

I never understand having multiple horns that do the same job. I have two horns. Searching for a great small bore, but everytime I need one, I just borrow a 606 or something.

[MTbassbone]

Twenty plus years ago I made a major choice with my playing, and went from a alto, a small bore tenor, a large bore tenor, and a bass, to just a large bore and a bass. My alto and small bore had sat for more than a decade. It was time for someone else to enjoy them. I like the simplicity.