Buying a New Horn

[trombinstharry]

Hello all, I wish you are all doing well. I currently play on my school's fairly old (~40 yrs) King Duo Gravis horn. I was able to find a new Conn 112h for only $700 and it seems to be in good condition, but I'm still waiting on more details from the seller. Assuming I go try out this horn, what should I play on it to see if I like the horn? Should I even consider this horn? What should I look out for?

[Burgerbob]

That's a great price, assuming it's in one piece and makes noise.

Play things you are familiar with and know how they feel. Know that the instrument will feel pretty different in any case.

[trombinstharry]

Wait, it might be a 62hi. Whatever it is, it's an independent open wrap Conn bass

[BGuttman]

A 62HI is even more expensive than a 112H. So that price is even better. Assuming it's in playable shape.

Big problem could be if there is damage to the knuckles at the valves. That's expensive to fix.

[Burgerbob]

Big problem could be if there is damage to the knuckles at the valves. That's expensive to fix.

Not $1000 to fix. At $700 almost any bass trombone is worth it.

[Glog]

I worked for a long time on 112H.Good tool. The only low valve is f. It should be cut half a inch.

[BflatBass]

If you get a chance to try out the new horn, take your Duo Gravis with you and play the two back to back. Take printed material with you that you work on presently either from bands you play in or etudes or exercises or whatever. If the person you're buying from doesn't want you to bring your DG then just bring the material if you can. That way you'll be playing stuff you're familiar with and that you know how it feels on your present horn.