8D Services

Convert 8D mechanical change lever to string action: Between 1962 and 1992 Conn used a very efficient string linkage for the 8D thumb lever. In the past 10 years they have developed two inferior mechanical linkages which tend to lose screws, have a relatively long throw, and are unacceptably noisy. While the Conn factory no longer produces the original lever, many serious players choose to have Houghton Custom Horns replace the mechanical linkages with the original string action. The string action has an adjustable height, is quieter, and is generally more trouble-free. Because the string action is 20% more efficient, it also has a shorter throw, which means quicker action.

Price: $190

8D third Bb slide trimming: “Letter Series” 8Ds feature a third valve Bb tuning slide that was made too long... this doesn't allow the player to bring the pitch up enough on 2/3 fingerings. Although Conn has addressed this problem on the newest 8Ds, horns made before 2000 production still suffer from this defect. Shortening the slide allows the player to "pull to pitch" rather than “lipping-up”.  The shorter slide also permits the use of alternate fingerings that would be out of tune with the factory slide. The excess tubing can't be trimmed from the legs, so we disassemble the slide and remove &Mac184;” of tubing from each leg of the crook. Price: $65

Extend Bb horn tubing: Many new 8D's leave the factory very sharp on the Bb side of the horn. Extending the main tuning slide isn't the answer here because it also lowers the F horn. Houghton Custom Horns has developed a service that adds tubing to the Bb horn alone.

Rim Wire repair: Newer 8D's are notorious for having poorly installed rim wires, and we often repair them even in horns that have not suffered extensive bell damage.

Priced upon inspection