Best Professional French Horn
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No matter what level a musician is at, they understand that having a decent piece of equipment will make a world of difference for their sound and how they play a certain piece of music.
With regards to brass instruments, one of the most popular and fascinating brass instruments is a french horn. Although non-musicians might not be familiar with the name, just about anyone who sees a picture of a french horn will know exactly what it is.
This article is going to take an in-depth look at seven different professional french horns. Each of which will receive a neutral review. Before the review, down below will be a quick french horn buying guide.
A french horn is a brass instrument that is made with tubing. The tubing is wrapped in a coil with a flared bell. The instrument is very popular among jazz bands, big bands, and classical music. As for the key of the instrument, they’re usually in the key of F or Bb.
What are the Best Professional French Horn?
2) Mendini MFH-20 Single Key of F Brass French Horn
- Lightweight standard key of F single French horn
- Lacquered yellow brass bell and body
- Silver plated mouthpiece
- Pro-deluxe hard case
1) Mendini MFH-30 Intermediate Key of F/Bb Double French Horn
- Lacquered yellow brass bell and body
- Silver plated mouthpiece
- Pro-deluxe hard case
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
3) Monel Rotors Bb/F 4 Keys Double French Horn
- Flawless Gold Lacquer Finish
- Easy to Carry Detachable Bell
- Balanced Weight Design
- Durable Light Weight ABS Case
As for the specifics of the instrument, they come in a variety of choices. Cheaper instruments are obviously more geared toward beginners, whereas experts of a higher level can find a more expensive variation.
French horns are usually made out of brass but are occasionally made out nickel silver. Besides the tubes and other mechanics of the instrument, the instrument also has a mouthpiece. Something that is very important for how easy it is for a person to play the instrument.
7 Best Professional French Horn Reviews
1) Mendini MFH-30 Intermediate Key of F/Bb Double French Horn
No matter the level a player is at, Mendini makes great quality instruments. Not only are they great starter instruments, but they work great for professionals.
In this case, this is a Mendini MFH-30 french horn, and it is exactly that. It’s built and is priced in a way that a musician with any budget can check it out. It’s a standard F-key french horn.
As for the specifics of the instrument, it’s has a lacquered yellow brass bell and body with a .468” bore and 14” bell. Another aspect to point out is the fact that the instrument has 4 solid rotors that are string levered action.
A great plus with this specific instrument is that it comes with a case and a tuner. Both of which are needed no matter the instrument.
Also, a major plus-side is that it comes with a 1-year warranty. Allowing customers of the instrument to be calm in case anything were to happen to it.
All in all, it’s a decent french horn that is great for any musician. Professionals will certainly find something good out of this instrument.
2) Mendini MFH-20 Single Key of F Brass French Horn
Mendini is a very solid company that makes very decent instruments, and because of that notion, one would assume that this instrument is no different. In this case, that assumption would be right.
This is a Mendini MFH-20 French Horn. It’s a very light instrument that is in the key of F. Body-wise, it’s a lacquered yellow brass bell and body. It features a .450” bore, a 12” bell, and has 3 rotors through a mechanical linkage.
Other than the instrument itself, it has a silver-plated mouthpiece, a hard case, a cloth, a tuner, and gloves. Five products that a french horn player will need at some point.
All in all, this is a great french horn that will work in favor of professional musicians. Experts can definitely get something out of it and will be surprisingly impressed with the features it has.
3) Monel Rotors Bb/F 4 Keys Double French Horn w/Case & Mouthpiece-Gold Lacquer Finish
Over the years, Monel Rotors has been known to craft a lot of very solid pieces of equipment. This is especially the case with this french horn.It’s a Monel Rotors Bb/F Double French Horn.
It has 4 keys and is in the key of F/Bb. It has a gold lacquered finish.
As for the specifics of the instrument, it has a .469” bore size and a bell dial of 12.244”. Not to mention it’s very smooth and decently put together rotors.
It also comes with a case which is great. The case itself is very light which allows the instrument to be easily carried.
In conclusion, this is a decent french horn that is great for professionals. Experts can certainly get something out of this specific french horn since it has a lot to offer.
4) Jupiter Lacquered Brass Body Single French Horn 752L
Of the higher-end french horns out there, the ones Jupiter makes are certainly up there in quality. Although they can definitely be used by students, the price of their instruments is a sign that they’re obviously meant for more professionals.
This specific french horn is a Jupiter Lacquered Brass Body Single French Horn 725L. It’s a fantastic french horn that is made of top quality materials.
As for its features, it’s a lacquered brass body with a rose brass lead pipe. Allowing it to capture the designated sound that players require it to capture.
The key of the instrument is in F, which is the standard for french horns. As for how it plays, the open wrap design of it allows players to play as fluently as they can possibly play.
All in all, it’s a fantastic french horn that is more geared toward experts. Professionals will certainly be blown away by an instrument like this.
5) Jupiter 550 Bb Marching French Horn (550L Lacquer)
Jupiter is one of the best french horn manufacturers in the world, and in this case, it’s no different. This specific french horn is the Jupiter 550 Bb Marching French Horn. Given its name, this instrument is perfect for anyone who needs a new french horn for their marching band.
It’s in the key of Bb and has a lacquered brass body. The instrument itself was built with the thought of having an accurate and extremely playable instrument. Two factors that are carried throughout Jupiter’s instruments.
As for how the instrument plays, the stainless steel pistons make it so it’s very easy to play and easily allows users to play the instrument to the best of their ability.
Another big positive of this french horn is that it comes with a case. Something that is great for an instrument like this to have.
All in all, it’s a great instrument that’ll be a good fit for any musician’s needs.
6) Jupiter French Horn - Double, JHR1100-Standard Bell (JHR1100)
Since Jupiter is known for making high-quality products, this one is no different. This french horn is a Jupiter French Horn - Double, JHR1100-Standard Bell. It’s certainly a french horn that any musician will get great use out of.
As noted, it’s a double french horn and it’s in the key of F. It has a lacquered brass body, making it pretty standard for what it has body-wise.
Other features include an 11.9” bell, mechanical-link tapered rotary valves, .472” bore, an adjustable thumb rest, and an adjustable finger hook.
The adjustability of the product is certainly a plus since it’s definitely a positive for any instrument to feature this sort of thing.
Another big plus is that the instrument comes with a case. Something that is needed for any instrument but is certainly a huge positive with this instrument.
In conclusion, this is a great french horn and is certainly meant for experts. Professionals alike will be able to easily use this instrument for themselves.
7) Jupiter 1100 Series JHR1100D F/Bb Double French Horn
In the world of brass instruments, Jupiter is one of the best manufacturers in this world. They make their instruments with great care, accuracy, and dedication.
This specific french horn is no different. It’s a Jupiter 1100 Series JHR1100D F/Bb Double French Horn.
It features a screw-on 11.9" Bell, .472" Bore, a mechanical-link tapered rotary valve, an adjustable thumb rest, and an adjustable finger hook.
As for its body, it’s a lacquered brass body and is in the key of F/Bb.
Another big positive of this instrument is that it comes with a wood case. Allowing users to not have to buy a separate case for their instrument.
All in all, it’s a very solid french horn from Jupiter and is worth checking out for professionals of all levels.
Choosing the Best Professional French Horn
This is the end of the reviews for the seven different professional french horns listed above. By now, everyone who reads this article should understand the basics of a french horn, as well as a few different options to purchase one.
2) Mendini MFH-20 Single Key of F Brass French Horn
- Lightweight standard key of F single French horn
- Lacquered yellow brass bell and body
- Silver plated mouthpiece
- Pro-deluxe hard case
1) Mendini MFH-30 Intermediate Key of F/Bb Double French Horn
- Lacquered yellow brass bell and body
- Silver plated mouthpiece
- Pro-deluxe hard case
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
3) Monel Rotors Bb/F 4 Keys Double French Horn
- Flawless Gold Lacquer Finish
- Easy to Carry Detachable Bell
- Balanced Weight Design
- Durable Light Weight ABS Case
Remember to keep factors such as the build quality, price, key, manufacturer, and several other factors when looking at french horns.
To quickly recap the buyer’s guide, a french horn is a brass instrument that comes in a variety of prices.
It’s typically made of brass and is in the key of F or Bb. They’re usually used for big band music, classical music, or jazz music.
All in all, they’re great instruments that any musician of any level should check out.