Is This An Abilene Horn.

[Mr412]

I saw this on eBay. It's an Abilene horn, isn't it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/385313021418

[hyperbolica]

Yes, but don't let that stop you. It probably plays fine. And at that price, you really can't go wrong. Even if the price doubles, it's a decent buy. If you're looking for a budget 547 that plays great, this could be it (as long as there are no hidden problems like a bad slide)

I'm not connected to this sale in any way.

[BGuttman]

Serial indicates Feb 1979. I think they were still in Abilene.

Ref: https://www.conn-selmer.com/en-us/resou ... al-numbers

Gx serial numbers the x represents the month; 8 was the 9th year of the decade, G was the 1970s . GB8 serial: 1979, February

I agree with Hyperbolica. Don't avoid it simply because it was made in Abilene. It's not an Elkhart, but so what?

[Mr412]

I respect the advice I'm getting on this horn. Yeah, even sometimes Elkharts aren't Elkharts!

I guess "bad" horns from "good" manufacturers are out there, but truthfully, I've never had one and I've gone through a LOT of horns. So, odds are, it will probably play just as well as most others and probably better than me! LOL

I may have to downsize from a heavy bass because it appears I'm getting the old man shakes. A decent 88H could still get me down below the staff okay and well above it - with say, a 4G - all at a reduced weight load on my shaky left hand.

[hornbuilder]

Yes, this is Abilene. I have an example of very similar vintage. Great horn!!

[Mr412]

Nice!

Lol. I'm probably succeeding in driving the bidding up. Ha! Well, I have a figure in my head, so we'll see if/when it goes above that.

[BGuttman]

I should point out that one of the things that got Gary Greenhoe started was taking Abilene horns apart and reassembling the without stress. Abilene parts were good; sometimes the assembly was sub-par. And that's where Matt got his start after his long trip from Oz.