Antique Musical Instruments/J Higham French Horn

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Expert: - 8/11/2010


Question
I used to play the French horn. Now a trombone (and bari
sax).
I have a J Higham FH (50432). Model "Clear Tone" Made in
Manchester. I used to go to Higham's shop in Oxford St
Manchester when a student there in the 1950s. Is the horn a
good instrument? It sounds good to me. I think its date will
be 1894 from the serial number. I am cleaning the silver
plate and then will consider having the few dints knocked
out - then I will photograph it and send you a picture if
you want. I think it is in F, but not sure yet. I intend to
play it.

Answer
Does your horn look something like this?  

http://www.horn-u-copia.net/instruments/Higham/Higham-fr-horn-54823.jpg

It is of about the same period as yours, slightly newer.

It is probably in F, though, at least in the US, horns in the early part of the 20th century were frequently, in or had a crook to go to Eb.  

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Kenton Scott

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Please note: My area is BRASS instruments, not other wind, string or percussion instruments. I will provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. 1) Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site. 2) I am often asked very similar questions, so I'd invite you to first check on Horn-u-Copia.net. Much of the information I have garnered about this topic, I have posted on this WEB site.

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I perform in several historical bands, have informally researched the area, repair brass instruments, and operate a Forum dedicated to the topic at http://horn-u-copia.net

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B.S. Ed, M.S.

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