King 2269 Fidelio Double French Horn

This listing was posted on Americanlisted.

King 2269 Fidelio Double French Horn

Location:

Silver Spring, MD

Description:

This King 2269 Fidelio double french horn is a top-quality instrument. It is made of brass, with a lacquered finish that gives it a yellow-gold color. The instrument is in F/Bb. The leadpipe made of nickel silver, since the previous owner replaced the leadpipe with one from a King Eroica double horn. Relevant portions of the previous owner's description are quoted below. I purchased this horn in February 2024 in search of a lightweight horn that might be suitable for playing in amateur chamber music groups. I knew that the thumb valve had the standard American setting of standing in the key of F, with the thumb valve activating the Bb side of the horn. But I had hoped that I might be able to modify the thumb valve to stand in Bb, rather than in F, since I am accustomed to the Bb setting. Nonetheless, several attempts at reverse restringing of the thumb valve were unsuccessful, since the lever design does not allow sufficient clearance for a reverse restringing. Although a custom brass shop could possibly mechanically modify the thumb valve to stand in Bb it is uncertain whether the results would be equally comfortable and smooth as the present original design.The horn plays very well up and down in all registers, including up to the high C above the staff (concert pitch F). It is a lightweight horn and it could easily handle most high horn parts, including many Baroque high horn parts. But I found notes above the high C to be a bit stuffy, at least with the mouthpiece that I normally use. With regard to the low range, although this is a medium-throat horn the low range is very resonant and easy to produce. I normally play a hybrid Yamaha/Alexander horn for amateur orchestral playing, which has a darker sound, but this Fidelio with its brighter sound might be preferred by some persons for orchestral playing. Although this horn is suitable for an advanced player it would also be a good choice for a complete beginner, since it is very easy to play and since the total size of the wrap is not very large. This is a Kruspe-style wrap, with the thumb valve cylinder close to the mouthpiece, rather than a Geyer-style wrap, where the thumb valve cylinder is located on the other side of the three main valve cylinders. Each style has its own benefits.Below is a quote from relevant portions of the previous owner's description of the horn."For sale is a King Fidelio (model 2269, S.N. 38-216xxx). This was an eBay rescue that I did some restoration work on - new leadpipe (from the "Eroica" model, same horn but in nickel silver rather than yellow brass), ironing out the bell, and other various dent work. It still has a number of dents in hard-to-reach places. Despite the age and condition, it plays fantastically! Wide-open feel, with a huge, rich sound that brightens nicely at higher dynamics; and the intonation is perfect. Includes an unbranded mouthpiece and an old Conn/King-style hard case with 1 broken latch."The above description from the previous owner appears mainly accurate to me, except for two points. The description refers to the Eroica model as the same horn as the Fidelio but in nickel silver, rather than brass. But I believe that the Eroica model also has a larger bell throat than the Fidelio, which has a medium bell throat. Also, the reference to the broken latch was incorrect. Actually, all latches work correctly, but the horn case had been slightly bent out of alignment, preventing one latch from closing properly. I managed to bend the two sides of the case back into better alignment and all three latches now close properly, though a little attention is still needed to close the case properly. Also, the full serial number is 38-216435, the final digits of which are visible in one of the photos.In the attached photos it may be noted that the horn is mainly yellow brass, with a yellow-golden lacquer, but the leadpipe is nickle silver, since it came from an Eroica model horn. I took a close-up photo of the end of the leadpipe, showing the 1170 model number, which is the Eroica model number, not the Fidelio model number, which I believe to be 2269, based on the previous seller's description, since the previous owner apparently had the original leadpipe which would have shown the model number. I think that the serial numbers of Fidelio and Eroica french horns changed from 1100 series to 2200 series at some point, but to my knowledge the designs did not change. Both models were designed by George McCracken, who later opened his own horn-making shop, which he still operates.In my opinion this Fidelio horn will need no repair work. It appears to be perfectly playable in its present condition. Other Fidelio horns are often offered at lower prices on the Internet, but they carry a risk of needing significant repair work. The previous owner's idea of replacing the original leadpipe, probably of yellow brass, with an Eroica leadpipe of nickel silver, appears to have worked wonderfully for this horn. The price for this Fidelio is $1,000 is plus shipping. Other Fidelio horns in good condition can be found on the Internet at prices exceeding $2,000.I am offering this horn on a returnable basis, with the buyer responsible for shipping. But I think that a buyer would be very satisfied with this horn.

Category:

French Horns

Color:

Yellow

Posted:

February 25 on Americanlisted