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ALLIANCE-LAFLEUR
£195.00
'Maker': ALLIANCE-Lafleur
Type: F/Bb compensating double
'Alliance' is a 'stencil' name; the horn was
probably made in Italy by Kalison, Orsi or
Rampone & Cazzani.
Similar fictitious maker's names often found on this
model include: Anborg-Como, Buisson, Getzen, John
Grey and Viking; there may be others.
This is a 'one owner' horn, originally purchased in
the late 1960s, played for only a couple of years and
then unused for over 50 years. Its owner has
reported that it was serviced recently.
The general design of this model of
compensating double horn, dating back at least
65-70 years , incorporates a 4th/'change' F-Bb
valve that is notorious in its lever's rather
inconvenient placing for 'small to medium'
sized hands.
This horn in particular has a slightly more comfortable
'shape' to the actual lever, however its distance from
the finger hook (13cm) requires a very wide hand
span.
Moving the finger hook closer to the valve block
would be a very straightforward and inexpensive job for
a brass technician, but would probably result in some
'browning' of the lacquer in that area.
Bore / Throat: medium
Alloy: lacquered yellow-brass
Bell flare: fixed
Lacquer: 95% good, even inside the bell throat.
Mouthpiece: silver plated, reasonable condition.
Valve compression: good
Visual / cosmetic condition: the horn
‘has seen some use’ (a few tiny surface dings
and some lacquer scratches) but generally it is in ‘very
good condition'.
Weight: 2.48 kg
Case: used, non-protective and very basic 'boat-style',
made of fibreboard.
NB: We can supply a new, excellent
lightweight case with backpack straps for £90.
Further details: A good beginner instrument; a logical
upgrade from a ‘mini' / ‘kinder horn’; an
‘improver’ horn for the more advanced young
player up to about Grades 6-8.
I played my ABRSM Grade 8 exam (achieving a
'Distinction'!) on an amazingly similar horn, in
1962.
The F horn’s ‘freedom of blow’ is slightly tighter than
that of e.g. a Paxman 'Studenti', but its Bb side is
open, clear and ringing.
The photos can be viewed in greater detail
by opening and saving them.
Halstead Music acts as an agent only,
accepting no responsibility as a principal.
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd.