I'll keep this first post brief and add more information as it's requested. I have four of these Soviet horns now. Two altos of different sizes, a Tenorhorn, and a Baritone. I know these aren't exactly high quality instruments, but (like most obscure instruments) the real deal killer is the mouthpieces. Original example mouthpieces are horrible and nothing you buy in the US is going to be suitable.
Also worth reminding you that these are military instruments designed for outdoor use. They are capable of being insanely loud. I have never overblown any of them. I'm quite sure that I would damage my own hearing if I tried. Depending on the time of day, I might also summon the boys in blue.
From smallest to largest...
Орфей Eb Alto Horn : ~8" bell, ~.506 bore. They sure look dumb, but the signature Орфей rotor stops are pretty clever. This horn sounds like an alto Conn Euphonium, tbh.
You need a mouthpiece with 10mm shank. This is pretty typical of European Flugelhorns and alto things. On a Flugelhorn, this wouldn't be much of an issue, but this horn has a rather deep insertion depth, so a normal Alto Horn mouthpiece (9.8mm shank) isn't a good fit. This horn responds better to shallower mouthpieces than its big brother.
Recommended: Josef Klier 210-2 or PA1D 10mm (or similar options).
ЗДМИ Eb Alto Horn : ~8.75" bell, ~.511 bore. This is basically an Alto Tuba. Nearly unbearably loud.
The hardest part of making this horn playable is even finding a mouthpiece to fit. It responds well to large alto mouthpieces. That doesn't mean that you can use your Alto Trombone mouthpiece and call it a day. You need something appropriate with a 10.5mm shank.
Recommended: Josef Klier PA1B 10.5mm
КЗРА Bb Tenorhorn : ~9.5" bell, ~.545? bore. This is the long wrap version. The compact wrap version is probably considerably different.
This horn isn't really all that picky, but it uses a 11.5mm shank mouthpiece. You can use a Bach 381 adapter to achieve this, but it's better to get something proper. Throat size needs to be small. I had a custom mouthpiece made for myself which sounds really good, but I could have gone with a smaller cup and throat.
Known working: Custom JK Exclusive TH14F-B (5.6mm throat)
The cup size of this mouthpiece is similar to a Benge 12C. 11.5mm shank mouthpieces tend to look like they hang out a mile. This is the correct fit.
Орфей Baritone : ~11.25" bell, ~.546" bore. Really large bell for a Baritone, but also small bore. Hateful instrument, this one. Really pitchy, but functional false tones and great sound.
Now we get into the world of really wacky shank sizes. This horn requires a 12mm shank mouthpiece. This is not Besson medium shank because medium shank is not standard 5% taper. A medium shank will sort of fit, but since you need a small throat, you might as well look for a real solution. Anything over 1/4" throat or having anything even remotely like a v-cup will sound disgusting. Thankfully, combining the two doesn't summon a gate to hell. If you're interested in deafening loud vomit induction, go with the medium shank KELLY 5G.
Known working: Custom JK Exclusive TH12D (5.6mm throat, 12mm shank)
Wasn't cheap, but this mouthpiece was my successful attempt to mimic the Schilke 44E4 with appropriate back end. I admit, it's a bit difficult to play up to high concert Bb with this mouthpiece, but the sound is addictive. If you need the range, go with something shallower. The Soviet examples of 12mm mouthpieces that I've seen are really shallow.
Also worth reminding you that these are military instruments designed for outdoor use. They are capable of being insanely loud. I have never overblown any of them. I'm quite sure that I would damage my own hearing if I tried. Depending on the time of day, I might also summon the boys in blue.
From smallest to largest...
Орфей Eb Alto Horn : ~8" bell, ~.506 bore. They sure look dumb, but the signature Орфей rotor stops are pretty clever. This horn sounds like an alto Conn Euphonium, tbh.
You need a mouthpiece with 10mm shank. This is pretty typical of European Flugelhorns and alto things. On a Flugelhorn, this wouldn't be much of an issue, but this horn has a rather deep insertion depth, so a normal Alto Horn mouthpiece (9.8mm shank) isn't a good fit. This horn responds better to shallower mouthpieces than its big brother.
Recommended: Josef Klier 210-2 or PA1D 10mm (or similar options).
ЗДМИ Eb Alto Horn : ~8.75" bell, ~.511 bore. This is basically an Alto Tuba. Nearly unbearably loud.
The hardest part of making this horn playable is even finding a mouthpiece to fit. It responds well to large alto mouthpieces. That doesn't mean that you can use your Alto Trombone mouthpiece and call it a day. You need something appropriate with a 10.5mm shank.
Recommended: Josef Klier PA1B 10.5mm
КЗРА Bb Tenorhorn : ~9.5" bell, ~.545? bore. This is the long wrap version. The compact wrap version is probably considerably different.
This horn isn't really all that picky, but it uses a 11.5mm shank mouthpiece. You can use a Bach 381 adapter to achieve this, but it's better to get something proper. Throat size needs to be small. I had a custom mouthpiece made for myself which sounds really good, but I could have gone with a smaller cup and throat.
Known working: Custom JK Exclusive TH14F-B (5.6mm throat)
The cup size of this mouthpiece is similar to a Benge 12C. 11.5mm shank mouthpieces tend to look like they hang out a mile. This is the correct fit.
Орфей Baritone : ~11.25" bell, ~.546" bore. Really large bell for a Baritone, but also small bore. Hateful instrument, this one. Really pitchy, but functional false tones and great sound.
Now we get into the world of really wacky shank sizes. This horn requires a 12mm shank mouthpiece. This is not Besson medium shank because medium shank is not standard 5% taper. A medium shank will sort of fit, but since you need a small throat, you might as well look for a real solution. Anything over 1/4" throat or having anything even remotely like a v-cup will sound disgusting. Thankfully, combining the two doesn't summon a gate to hell. If you're interested in deafening loud vomit induction, go with the medium shank KELLY 5G.
Known working: Custom JK Exclusive TH12D (5.6mm throat, 12mm shank)
Wasn't cheap, but this mouthpiece was my successful attempt to mimic the Schilke 44E4 with appropriate back end. I admit, it's a bit difficult to play up to high concert Bb with this mouthpiece, but the sound is addictive. If you need the range, go with something shallower. The Soviet examples of 12mm mouthpieces that I've seen are really shallow.
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