Double Horns: We currently offer two main styles of double horn, Model 804 with many customized options. The bore dimensions, ie., how the tapers and cylindrical section all match up in combination is the most critical design criteria of a brasswind. For example, in the mouthpiece alone, we've identified 21 parameters which control the playing characteristics of the instrument. Since there are so many combinations possible, a good mouthpiece could come about by sheer luck or you would need to have computer programs which keep track of all of the possibilities and predict how useful they might be. If you would like to read some very technical literature detailing the process, published by us in the Journal of the Acoustical Society, refer to our article entitled "An investigation between Geometry, Acoustic variables and Psychacoustic Parameters for French Horn mouthpieces".. In practice, we break the entire instrument down with 1/8" increments, 1/6" in the mouthpiece and run a simulation program. This has lead us to discover some very unusual combinations which have made our reputation worldwide. Link to our V2 ad or our bell flare ads published in the Horn Call. In essence, we've come up with two bore designs or taper combinations which are unparallel in efficiency (how much sound you generate, compared to how much work you put into it); intonation and tone spectrum richness. Our Fourier is our main large bore typed instrument designed to fit a large orchestral situation and is very free-blowing with a very wide dynamic range. The other class of taper is our Classical which is about 5% smaller, overall, and therefore takes a little less air and consequently plays a little easier in the high range with a 'lighter' sound. Both of these designs are dual bored such that the B side diameters are 1% smaller giving a very even response and tone from one side to the other.

We are now offering all of our double horn models in two wall thicknesses, the standard, .020" and a thinner wall bell branch, .016". If you are considering a lighter horn, please read the information we have on our Lawson-lite page.



Descants: We manufacture two bore sizes of descant horns, our large bore, Model 8211, is similar in playing characteristics of our Fourier. It is a free blowing horn which is also dual bored both in the cylindrical section as well as the leadpipe and first branch taper. It is consequently fairly heavy since it has an extra valve but when played it is indistinguishable in loudness and tone from a double horn.



Our lighter standard 5 valve descant, Model 963, is designed to be an all around soloist, chamber, light orchestral horn. Both of these have excellent intonation for the species, again because of the sophisticated tapering in the bores. Each descant comes with extra crooks, A, mute and low F as standard. Others are available simply upon requests but these 3 are sufficient for all of the music literature we are familiar with. They are extremely adjustable since there are so many false fingerings, which work well in tune.

Single B, and ascending horns are also available upon request. Our Model 8211 is easily adaptable to Bb, C horn.



All models are available in yellow brass and the bronzes: Ambronze and Nickel-Bronze. Bronzes are used for two reasons: they are very resistant to corrosion and they have a very pronounced acoustic effect as they are very resonant.



For a sound clip comparing a typical mass produced horn bell being 'rung' or 'bonged', push button

For our Ambronze flare push button:

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