Which Horn?

[Paul Ryder]

Alexander 103's are great for chamber music because despite having a
compact sound, it is extremely full and warm. The ability of the sound to
penetrate and carry means that it fares well in big orchestras too, so
I'd definitely recommend an Alex 103 to anyone!

Paul Ryder
Physicist and French Hornist

[R Andrews]

I have a pre-World War II Alexander 103 that needs a
leadpipe. Does anyone out there have a recomendation about
where/what type of lead pipe would be best? Will a
leadpipe from Alexander for a current 103 work well or have
specifications changed? Are there other sources I should
consider? Thanks!

[R Andrews]

I have a pre-World War II Alexander 103 that needs a

leadpipe. Does anyone have a recommendation about what
type/where to purchase one? Will a leadpipe from Alexander
made for a current 103 work well, or have specifications
changed too much? Are there other sources I should
consider? Thanks!

[MOOGAGE]

Howdy!

I have a lovely old Alexander 103. I no longer use it regularly (I play a
Kortesmaki F-B-flat Geyer model and a Kortesmaki descant), but when I did
it was great. The original leadpipe was in pretty sorry condition when I
bought it, so I replaced it with one made by Walter Lawson. It was quite
good (in fact, I later sold the pipe to a friend who also had an Alex with
its original pipe.) Eventually I had Karl Hill make yet another leadpipe
for it - it really did the trick. It solved a number of intonation
troubles and just smoothed the horn out. Karl, to my knowledge, no longer
makes leadpipes, but Walter Lawson does. Get in touch with Walter and I'm
sure he can fix you up quite nicely.

Margie Gage
3rd horn, Grand Rapids (MI) Symphony
Margie Gage, 3rd horn, Grand Rapids (MI) Symphony