Customer Reviews

Holton H181 Professional Farkas French Horn

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been playing in orchestras for over 10 years, and this is one of the best French Horns I have had, short of spending 8-10k.

I tried several other players horns, Cons, other Farkas Models, Yamahas, and this is a great one. Why?

The rose brass bell gives you a mellow, yet brassy sound that isnt too bright. Its beautiful. Next, it has great range and tuning. There are not many out of tune notes on this horn, something youll typically find on other models. This has a solid 4 octave range and really carries the low register as well as above the staff.

The horn does not feel open like a con 8D that you need to provide a slough of air, and does not feel very restricted like a Merker model. Feels just right.

Overall, well balanced, all around Professional French Horn.

I have owned two horns in my playing lifetime as an amateur musician.I bought my first in high school. It was a Conn 8d. Back in 1970 they only came i nickel-silver.I liked it well enough, I went to it directly from a student single F.It was very smooth through the whole range, and it served me well for many years. Inthe 90's I wanted something different. I didn't know that conn had made new models, so I looked at Holton.I had a Getzen bass trombone and liked the way the rose brass bell seemed to smooth out the brassiness and I thought it might also do the same for a french horn. The only one in my price range was the Holton 181.I was very pleasantly surprised. The 181 had a better feel to my hand than the 8D.It also has a separate tuning slide for the b-flat side, which the 8D does not.I felt as though I could play louder with more control on the 181. The horn spoke well at all volume levels an in all registers.This is a horn I would recommend to anyone looking for a horn with a silky-smooth tone, that plays well in all situations, and feels well controlled at all volume levels. Overall very satisfying.