PVC Alphorn: Make Your Own!
My PVC Alphorn
PVC Alphorn Parts for my 3rd Alphorn Build.
The parts list starts with the bell end and progresses toward the mouthpiece.
All parts except the 45° Street Elbow and 3" x 2" Reducer Coupling were purchased at Home Depot, Shoreline, WA. The Elbow and Coupling were purchased at Aurora Plumbing Supply, Shoreline, WA. Prices are from 2020–2021.

Bell Parts
4" x 3" PVC Sewer/Drain Coupling |
$2.98 |
3" PVC DWV 45° Street Elbow |
$5.31 |
3" x 2" PVC DWV Reducer Coupling |
$4.40 |
Note: I later added a larger coupling for a larger bell opening,
then shortened the mouthpiece tube.
The finished length is right about 144" (12 ft.) for tuning in F.

Section 1
Part |
Price / Segment |
Pipe: 2" x 10' PVC40 PE Pipe /
24" piece [4 pieces/pipe] |
$8.24 / $2.06 |
Connector: 2" PVC Coupling S x S |
$1.14 |
Connector: 2" x 1-1/2" PVC Reducer Bushing SPG x S |
$2.08 |

Section 2
Part |
Price / Segment |
Pipe: 1-1/2" x 10' PVC40 PE Pipe / 24" piece [4 pieces/pipe] |
$5.94 / $1.49 |
Connector: 1-1/2" PVC Coupling S x S |
$0.82 |
Connector: 1-1/2" x 1-1/4" PVC Reducer Bushing SPG x FPT |
$1.40 |

Section 3
Part |
Price / Segment |
Connector: 1-1/4" PVC Male Adapter S x MPT |
$1.14 |
Pipe: 1-1/4" x 10' PVC40 PE Pipe / 22.5" piece [5 pieces/pipe] |
$5.42 / $1.08 |
Connector: 1-1/4" PVC Coupling S x S |
$0.78 |
Connector: 1-1/4" x 1" PVC Reducer Bushing SPG x S |
$1.44 |

Section 4
Part |
Price / Segment |
Pipe: 1" x 10' PVC40 PE Pipe / 21" piece [5 pieces/pipe] |
$3.90 / $0.78 |
Connector: 1" x 3/4" PVC Female Adapter S x FPT |
$1.14 |

Section 5
Part |
Price / Segment |
Connector: 3/4" PVC Male Adapter S x MPT |
$0.48 |
Pipe: 3/4" x 10' PVC40 PE Pipe / 20" piece [4 pieces/pipe] |
$2.66 / $0.53 |
Connector: 3/4" PVC Coupling S x S |
$0.46 |
Connector: 3/4" x 1/2" PVC Reducer Bushing SPG x S |
$0.59 |

Section 6
Part |
Price / Segment |
Pipe: 1/2" x 10' PVC40 PE Pipe / 14" piece or cut to size for F tuning
[8 pieces/pipe] |
$1.31 / $0.16 |
End Cap: 1/2" PVC40 Socket Cap (optional) |
$0.46 |

For using a traditional wood alphorn mouthpiece I made a beveled wooden adapter:

Total Price
Total Price for Complete Parts / with Sales Tax (10.1%) |
$52.09 / $57.35 |
Total Price for Segment Values / with Sales Tax (10.1%) |
$30.72 / $33.83 |
Note on Segment Values: I can use all the extra PVC pipe in home projects or building more alphorns.
The relative segment value is based on the number of pieces of the same length I could cut from the 10-foot pipe lengths (the minimum size PVC pipe lengths available at Home Depot). For example, the 10-foot length of 2-inch diameter pipe costs $8.24. I needed a 32-inch length. I could cut 3 of those lengths from the 10-foot (120-inch) pipe, for 96 total inches, with a 24-inch fourth piece leftover. I simply divided $8.24 by 3 (= c. $2.75) to calculate the value of a 32-inch segment of this 2" pipe.
Mouthpiece
[Already-Owned Bach 5C Trumpet or Trombone Mouthpiece] |
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[Already-Owned wooden alphorn mouthpieces] |
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Storing the Alphorn in my office

Links to other PVC Alphorns
Franz Schüssele:
Das Alphorn aus Abflussrohren (Satitär-Alphorn)
Das billigste Alphorn der Welt
https://youtu.be/MrsiTCwKtio
Sanitär Alhorn Klangbeispiele mit Franz Schüssele
https://youtu.be/pTwy1et8Ghk
PVC Alpine Horn
https://youtu.be/jRrL6ko8Uyo
PVC AlpHorn (School Project)
https://youtu.be/NP_OAV-sxI0
PVC Alphorn - Steampunk Cow Caller
https://youtu.be/kty7Z8x6tZ8
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