When I purchased this horn, the low register was um, shall we say, finicky, and I couldn't move the 1st slide when playing. I took it to Sam Gnagey's shop and he mentioned the problem with the low register (around low BBb) might be that the horn was too conical. So, he replaced the old 'curly style' leadpipe(with the tuning slide in it), to a new, normal 'straight in' leadpipe, and fabricated a main tuning slide after the valve set.
Well, the difference was night and day! The low register spoke much easier now, and the horn's response improved overall. The notes around low BBb still feel a tad different (like the low AA and AAb on the HB-2 CC I used to have), but they sound fine out front. I'm used to compensating Eb's, so I don't think it's not much different than the feel of a low BBb on a compensating Eb (4th valve).
All together, I'd say the horn is 80% original. The first valve slide was turned so it can be moved during playing, and Sam used the original parts from the 1st slide he disassembled. I already mentioned the leadpipe was new, and the tuning slide was from another horn. The finger buttons are the larger Meinl-Weston kind, not the original small ones. Also, I had the steel guides replaced with plastic, and the cork pads are now neoprene. The valves are very quiet and fast now.
I photographed the dents, all are small and on the bottom bow, with the exception of the small ding in back, which is also shown. There is a gap reciever included that Sam fashioned for the smaller shank mouthpieces. This horn works best with a smaller mouthpiece. I tried my (big) G&W Bayamo on it, but quiclky put it aside for the (much smaller) LM-15, that seemed to get a real nice sound.
The movable 1st slide is nice, not only to tune the upper register, but to get low AAb (14), low GGb (134) and low FF (1234) in tune. You can get the low EE with the false tone, or by (1234) with the 4th slide pulled out another couple inches, as well as the 1st slide out. Look at the picture and you can see the 1st slide comes out a pretty good distance. The 2nd slide is also located on top so it can be moved if needed (I haven't needed...).
The picture with the blue/purplish background is a 'before' pic, showing what it was like before Sam did his magic. I wouldn't call this a 'cut' horn (no shortening to another key), but an altered one (different leadpipe and tuning slide, plus 1st valve work). On a scale of 1-10, I'd give the overall condition a 9.4 and I would mention that puts out a nice BIG sound.
EDIT: I'm selling because I really like my 983 Eb (had it for 7 years) and will only have one small horn at a time. By the way, I'm on the lookout for a largish CC, and/or a euphonium, so if you're thinking about a possible trade, let me know, we can figure something out...
EDIT: Oh, I forgot to mention before, it comes with a black ProTec gigbag in very good condition.
EDIT: I have been asked if I still have the original leadpipe. Yes, I do. make me an offer... THE ORIGINAL LEADPIPE HAS BEEN SOLD
EDIT: The price reflects how much went into the horn: purchase and modifications, I'm just trying to get what I put into it; but will entertain reasonable offers.
If you are serious about a purchase/trade or something to that matter, email or PM me. The horn is in East Lansing, MI.
