Pre-owned French horns

This page features a selection of pre-owned instruments currently in stock and available to purchase. The list is updated regularly, so please check back every few weeks. We also invite you to enquire if you are looking for a specific instrument that is not listed, so we can let you know if one becomes available.

No. The images shown on this page are stock images for reference. If you would like to see photos of a specific instrument, please let us know using the Enquire button above and we will be happy to provide item-specific images.

Yes, of course. We can supply a detailed condition report on request, outlining the instrument’s overall condition and noting any cosmetic wear or specific points of interest.

Yes. Every pre-owned instrument is thoroughly checked and serviced by our technicians before being offered for sale, so you can buy with confidence.

Yes. All instruments are prepared prior to shipping and are ready to play upon arrival. Pre-owned brass instruments are not supplied with a mouthpiece, so if you do not already have one, we can help you find a suitable option.

Yes, all instruments marked as ‘in stock’ are normally available for sale. If an item is marked ‘call for availability’, it may be reserved, on hire, or awaiting preparation. Availability can change quickly, so we recommend getting in touch as soon as possible if you are interested in a particular instrument.

Simply contact us via the Enquire button above and let us know which instrument you are interested in. We will be happy to send images, a condition report, or answer any questions you may have.

Absolutely. Use the Book Appointment button if you wish to visit us. We have excellent testing facilities and can introduce you to a particular instrument alongside other options. If you can't make it in person, contact us to discuss alternative arrangements.

The single F horn has one set of tubing pitched in F, while the single B-flat horn has a shorter set of tubing pitched in B-flat. The double horn combines both systems in one instrument, the player switching between them with a thumb valve. Double horns are the standard choice for most advanced players because they offer greater versatility than either single horn.

Both can be good starter instruments. The choice depends upon the player’s age, experience and their teacher’s recommendation. The single F horn develops skills that transfer more naturally to a double horn. The single B-flat horn has a shorter air column which younger players may find easier to manage, particularly when playing in the upper register.

The double horn combines the tonal breadth of the F horn with the agility and security in the upper register of the B-flat horn. The player selects the ‘side’ of the horn that best suits the music being played, allowing them greater flexibility across a wide range of repertoire.

A good-quality single horn provides a solid foundation and may be all a player requires during the first several years of study. Many players eventually move to a double horn as they progress to an advanced level and take on the challenges of more demanding repertoire.

A compensating-double horn is built around a complete F horn. When the thumb valve is pressed, part of the F tubing is bypassed, shortening the instrument to B-flat pitch. At the same time, the airflow is rerouted through compensating tubing that provides the correct valve lengths for B-flat playing. A full-double horn, by contrast, contains two complete sets of tubing—one in F and one in B-flat—and simply switches between them with the thumb valve.

A compensating-double horn offers many of the advantages of a full-double horn while being lighter in weight and more affordable. For younger players and those progressing from a single horn, it can provide a stepping stone before moving to a full double. More advanced players often prefer a full double because it provides complete F and B-flat circuits, giving greater tonal consistency and flexibility across the instrument.

‘Half-double horn’ is a colloquial term sometimes used to describe a compensating-double horn. Although the two terms refer to the same type of instrument, we use ‘compensating-double horn’ on the Rosehill website because it more accurately reflects the instrument’s design, and is the clearer and more technically descriptive term.

Most modern full-double French horns follow either the Kruspe or Geyer layout. They differ principally in the position of the F/B-flat change valve, which is operated by the left thumb to switch the instrument between the F and B-flat sides. On a Kruspe-wrap horn, the change valve is positioned close to the first valve. On a Geyer-wrap horn, it is located after the third valve, creating a more open arrangement of the tubing.

Many players associate Kruspe-wrap horns with a broad, rich orchestral sound and Geyer-wrap horns with a more direct, free-blowing response, although bell design, materials and leadpipe also influence an instrument’s playing characteristics.

No. Kruspe- and Geyer-wrap horns use the same fingering system and are played in exactly the same way. The difference lies in the layout of the tubing and the playing characteristics of the instrument rather than its operation.

A fixed-bell horn has the bell permanently attached to the instrument, while a detachable-bell horn allows the bell flare to be removed for transport or storage. This allows the instrument to be packed into a smaller case, making it popular with players who travel frequently or prefer a more compact case.

When assembled, a detachable-bell horn is designed to offer playing characteristics comparable to those of an equivalent fixed-bell model, so the choice between the two is usually based on portability rather than performance.