Trust me…the new Conn horns are garbage. They used to be great, I know. I would not recommend anyone getting new 8Ds but just like this guy, we are stuck with them. The first batch was so bad I had to box them all up and exchange them. The second batch were marginally better but almost immediately had problems with linkage, fit and allowances of slides (we have one where the slides just fall out), bad solders, etc. So if the original poster is having too many difficulties with these horns, at the very least you can send them back and ask for replacements.

AND…I know how to tune instruments. And I know hand placement matters. None of this helped.

Oh and the icing on the cake is that one of the NEW ones showed up totally damaged. I knew it was going to be a problem when I opened the box and the case looked like it had been kicked in.

Just trying to help others not make the same mistake, and rest assured I will never order another Conn horn for my program.

Peace.