Hans Hoyer Heritage 6802 Bb/F Double French Horn String Mechanism

I purchased my Hoyer Heritage 6801 after comparing it with an "Elkhart era" Conn 8-D and several Holtons. The biggest thing to win me over was the clear, rich tone it produced. Attacks are clean, notes are well centered, and pitches are clear and easy to reach. A couple of the Holtons were a bit easier to reach the highest notes in my range (C above staff), but none of them could match that Hoyer tone, and, for me, that made the extra work on the highest notes worth it. Other strengths include a mid to lower range that is more powerful than a some other horn's I've played on, and valves (mechanical linkage in my case) that are smooth, quick, and very quiet. I could wish for the master tuning slide to be a hair longer - it is out almost all the way to be in pitch with an American band (European orchestras tune a hair sharper than American). Bottom line, however - I love this horn, and a year and half of ownership and further comparisons in the price range have continued to validate my choice.

Have not played the horn in 20 years. I decided to start again playing an instrument I have always enjoyed. A borrowed Conn 8D had been the only instrument I knew about. After receiving a suggestion to try a horn I never heard of, I decided on model 6802. WOW! The valves are so quick, the sound so nice, and the centering of pitches incredible. I sounded like a pro. Needless to say, I bought it last month and have been practicing almost daily. I'll be playing a Mozart horn concerto for my mom and dad's 50 anniversary with confidence! Try it, you'll like it. I promise.