Alphorn Description, Options and Price List

Being a good Alphorn player is a big advantage in building the instruments, allowing me to evaluate the horns and make any final adjustments that are required. I have performed on my Rocky Mountain Alphorns in North America, Europe and Asia, including many appearances as a featured soloist with symphony orchestras. Enthusiastic reviews, such as the one that follows from my performance with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in the Tonhalle in Zurich (Switzerland), would not have been possible had I been playing on an instrument of lesser quality:

"For an encore the orchestra also played an excerpt from the Alphorn Concerto by the composer from the Vallais, Jean Daetwyler, performed by the orchestra's own horn player, on a dazzling [original German: prächtigen] instrument of his own make." {an excerpt from a review published in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Zurich , Nov. 16, 2000, by Alfred Zammerlin, translated by the German Language Service, Calgary}

Although my Alphorns are intended for players of all abilities (including beginners), the majority of the Alphorns that I have sold over the years have been to skilled players of various brass instruments; in many cases symphony brass musicians. About half of my sales have been to members of the International Horn Society; players who are able to judge the sound, pitch and response of an instrument with authority. You may take the enthusiasm of these many musicians as an endorsement of the playing qualities of my Alphorns.

The wood that I use for my Alphorns is Sitka Spruce from Vancouver Island and choice Canadian Maple. These woods are highly prized by the finest makers of instruments in the guitar and violin family for their beauty and sounding qualities. The wood from the towering Sitka trees is renowned for its long, straight and clear grain, and for its sounding properties. The ring at the bell end of my Alphorns is made from Maple, with a characteristic grain of Curly Maple (sometimes called Flame Maple), Spalted Maple or Bird's-eye Maple when I can find a supply of those special grains. I can offer, as an option to any customer who desires an Alphorn of striking beauty, an Alphorn with a bell ring, collar, foot and mouthpiece receiver knob made from various beautiful and exotic hardwoods, including Koa Wood (Hawaii), Bocote, (Mexico), Cocobolo (Central America) and Burl Black Walnut (California).

The original artwork that is available on my Rocky Mountain Alphorns sets them apart from other Alphorns that are available. The Alphorn bells that are carved and painted by Doug Pauls are unique and breath-taking works of art. I am very fortunate to be able to offer the artwork of this fine artist on my Alphorns. Follow this link to my Alphorn Bell Artwork page to see examples of the artwork of Doug Pauls and the available exotic wood options.

There are many fine Alphorn makers in Switzerland and Germany, but you should also be aware that there are factories that produce Alphorns of lesser quality that target the tourist market. Purchasers should carefully consider the value of an Alphorn with stencil, decal or stick-on bell art. Players will tell you that the best Alphorns are made the old way; carved and hand finished from solid wood. It is well worth your effort to do that extra bit of research into the quality of the materials and the production values that are built into your Alphorn. By doing so you will ensure that your Alphorn will be a source of joy and pride for many years to come.

CURRENT PRICE LIST:

• Available in the keys of F-natural (12', 3") or F-sharp (11', 6"). An E-natural (13', 2") Alphorn is available by special order. Please read ALPHORN KEY OPTIONS below.

• Incorporating the best design features of Swiss Alphorns, Rocky Mountain Alphorns are hand carved with care and precision from prime Sitka Spruce from Vancouver Island (British Columbia), with lathe-turned bell rings of Canadian Maple. As well, Rocky Mountain Alphorns offers an Alphorn with highlights made of beautiful hardwoods from around the world. Please read EXOTIC HARDWOOD OPTIONS below.

• For most of its length the horn is wound with rattan peel for added strength.

• Rocky Mountain Alphorns offers, as an option, the carved and painted artwork of Doug Pauls on the bell of the Alphorn. Please read the BELL ART OPTIONS below.

• The Alphorn separates into three sections at sleeved joints (sealed by O-rings) for convenient packing into a custom-made padded hiker's case (see the photograph below) made of heavy-duty Cordura. The hiker's case is included with the Alphorn.

• A hardwood mouthpiece is included with the Alphorn; available in a wide variety of sizes and styles.

EXTRA MOUTHPIECE: $115.00 U.S or $110.00 Canadian.

CURRENT PRODUCTION: Please call or email for information.

ALPHORN IMPORT DUTY: The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has eliminated the tariff for importing Canadian-made Rocky Mountain Alphorns into the United States. The import duty for bringing Swiss- and German-made Alphorns into North America is high and bears investigation.

SHIPPING: Woldwide shipping service is available. We ship by UPS to Canada and the United States. Insured, standard delivery (approximately 5 business days) UPS shipping to the continental United States costs $300.00 U.S.. Out of this fee we pay the UPS fee, all handling fees, customs brokerage fees and a newly instituted “security bond” fee required by U.S. customs at the border. This latter charge is a part of a series of policy changes made by the current United States administration which tend to discourage Canadian people and trade goods from entering the United States. U.S. customers should be aware that this new “security bond” fee has added approximately $85.00 U.S. to the cost of shipping an Alphorn to a U.S. destination. Shipping much costs less to Canadian destinations. Please call or email for further information.

BELL ART OPTIONS: The bell of the standard Rocky Mountain Alphorn reveals the warm glow of varnished wood; without any additional artwork. Many purchasers prefer to leave their Alphorn to the natural beauty of unadorned wood. Other purchasers have opted to commission one of their local artists to paint a special work of art on the bell of their Alphorn. I consider each Rocky Mountain Alphorn, with or without additional artwork, to be a work of art as well as a superior playing instrument.

CARVED / PAINTED BELL OPTIONS: I am currently working with a local artist, Doug Pauls, to offer to any purchaser the choice of one of several beautiful works of art for the bell of his/her Alphorn. The image at the right is a splendid example of Doug's artwork. It is carved in relief and painted in colour enamels and gold leaf. Doug also offers artwork options that are intricately carved, but not painted, for a more subtle effect. Many of his artwork subjects celebrate the folklore of the Alphorn. Follow this link to my Alphorn Bell Artwork page to see examples of the range of Doug's work.

PERSONALIZED BELL ART OPTIONS: At the purchaser's option a favoured alpine scene by artist Doug Pauls may be added to the bell of an Alphorn. The addition of such a "post card" scene may be an appealing option for resorts or mountain romantics.

EXOTIC HARDWOOD OPTIONS: For a customer who desires an Alphorn of striking beauty, I can offer an Alphorn with with a bell ring, collar, foot and mouthpiece receiver knob made from various beautiful and exotic hardwoods. For an example of this option please follow this link to my Alphorn Bell Artwork page.

MOUTHPIECE OPTIONS: Rocky Mountain Alphorns mouthpieces are made from beautiful and durable hardwoods from all over the world. Rim and cup styles similar to French Horn and Trumpet mouthpieces and ranging up to Alto Trombone styled mouthpieces are available. Every effort will be made to find a mouthpiece that is comfortable for players, but it should be understood that exact copies of particular mouthpieces are not possible. It is strongly recommended that the Alphorn be played with the supplied wooden mouthpiece. An adaptor for a French Horn mouthpiece can be supplied at the purchaser's request, but players who make the effort to blow wooden mouthpieces rarely return to metal, finding that wooden mouthpieces are warm to the lips and warm to the sound. Purchasing an extra mouthpiece is recommended for choice and for security. Alphorn mouthpieces from different manufacturers come in an assortment of shank diameters and lengths that are generally not interchangeable. For this reason requests for mouthpieces fitting Alphorns other than Rocky Mountain Alphorns cannot be honoured.

ALPHORN KEY OPTIONS: The traditional Alphorn length (described in folklore as the length of two men) is 11 feet, 6 inches. Horns of this length respond in the key of F-sharp. This key is accepted as the standard in Europe, although particular valleys have traditions loyal to Alphorns in the keys of G-natural or E-natural. For practical reasons, most North Americans have opted for the key of F-natural (length of 12 feet, 3 inches). This key is becoming the standard in North America, although many Alphorns in other keys have been brought over from Europe. Most modern Alphorn music publishers now offer editions in both F-natural and F-sharp. Because Alphorn ensembles can only be played with instruments in the same key it is recommended that you buy an Alphorn to match the key or length of the Alphorns played in your area.

I do not recommend the short extentions that convert Alphorns to a lower key. By adding this short cylindrical section the bore of the instrument is compromised. The result is an out of tune Alphorn with some notes that will not fully respond. Although I can offer such a short extention to purchasers who insist on this less expensive option, the best solution to a two key (F-natural and F-sharp) Alphorn is a five piece Alphorn: A first and second section in the key of F-natural and a first and second section in the key of F-sharp, with a common bell section. Such an Alphorn will be in tune and responsive in both keys. The addition to the price of the Alphorn for this option is $1100.00 U.S. or $1100.00 Canadian. Please Call or email for details.

Alphorns are tuned to an electronic tuner calibrated to A=440 cycles per second.

ALPHORN CARE AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

ALPHORN MUSIC: A wide variety of music is available for the Alphorn. Although Rocky Mountain Alphorns does not sell music, we can direct purchasers to Alphorn music dealers, and provide advice as to the best music for players' needs. Please see our Alphorn Music page.

HEAR A ROCKY MOUNTAIN ALPHORN: You can hear sound excerpts from William Hopson’s Alphorn compact discs on our RMA Compact Discs Webpage. William Hopson plays and records exclusively on Rocky Mountain Alphorns.

HARD-SIDED TRAVEL CASE: In cooperation with Qualicase of Calgary we can now offer a case for your Rocky Mountain Alphorn that is equal to the rigours of airline baggage handling. The frame is aluminum and the hard sides are strong, light and available in designer colours. On the inside, foam padding holds the Alphorn securely in place. The case has wheels and a key lock, and the wheels, handles and latches are all recessed. For more information about this fine case, please go to the relevant page of the Qualicase website. Please email for a price for this fine case.

WOULD-BE ALPHORN MAKERS: I get twenty or so requests every year from people asking me to help them in their project to make a hobby Alphorn. With regret, I must decline all such requests. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I would rather spend time with my family. Good luck.