Group Details

Martin Committee Club

A club for enthusiasts of this iconic instrument.

  • RE: Student trumpet

    @Anthony-Lenzo said in Student trumpet:

    ...I should not have sold it. But thinking back it went to a cute little boy whose dad wanted him to have a good trumpet. Now in retrospect I am happy for the little guy as I write this .It is a good trumpet why shouldn't he have it.

    Sounds to me you have done a beginning trumpet player a good service. The trade off is you may have precluded your use of this horn to have been of some benefit to you.

    Let me explain, I had an Olds Ambassador and bequeathed it to my brother that abused he heck out of it in marching band. He returned it to me decades later and I decided to refurbish it, perhaps for my own use, perhaps for resale. The refurbished horn when returned looked great but played even better than I ever remembered. I decided to keep it. It is now my third most played horn in my collection.

    I take it with me on vacations as if it is stolen or lost, it is the least valuable horn in my collection (except for my Pocket Trumpet). It has served me well on many trips, business and vacation, and many travels when I was not needing to play professionally. So for this reason, I have kept it and am glad I have.

    posted in Historical & Collector's Items
  • RE: European Folklore Festival Bitburg - Call for Players

    I should join. I’ve been meaning to visit Prague.

    posted in Announcements
  • RE: Vintage F. Besson Approximate Year?

    That is gorgeous. Perfect condition.

    posted in Historical & Collector's Items
  • RE: Oiling trumpet

    How you use the valve oil depends on 1) the oil you choose 2) tightness of the valves in the casing:

    SPEED: The most important quality in a valve oil is its ability to promote speed by reducing friction, but the oil also causes some resistance of its own. This measured resistance is called viscosity. Musicians seeking a "thin" oil are simply looking for a low viscosity oil. Viscosities of different oils are presented in the table below:

    VALVE OIL VISCOSITY CHART COMPARISONS:
    Products - Viscosity (cSt)
    WATER - 1.00
    MINERAL SPIRITS - 1.34
    CLARK TERRY - 1.83
    BENGE - 1.99
    BLUE JUICE - 1.99
    PLAYERS - 2.15
    JUPITER - 2.20
    ROCHE-THOMAS - 2.31
    HOLTON - 2.38
    HYBRID 141-A7 - 3.02
    PRO-OIL RED - 3.61
    SPACE FILLER II - 3.72
    AL CASS - 3.73
    PRO-OIL BLUE - 3.80
    SPACE FILLER I - 5.10
    SLIDE (for trombones) - 5.12
    ALISYN - 7.59

    ENDURANCE: Represents the oil's ability to maintain a fast and smooth valve action over many hours despite playing conditions. This characteristic is very difficult to develop in an oil without compromising speed because endurance is the end result of a complex series of interrelated properties and conditions: evaporation rate, film strength, surface tension, water solubility, and valve cleanliness.

    Evaporation rate:
    In most student and mid-line horns, a valve oil that evaporates to < 40% of the original oil remains on the valves will begin to hesitate unpredictably.

    For higher end horns (clean and very tight valves), the slowdown is much sooner and sudden seizing of a valve is more common.

    Evaporation rate table below, lists the percent of oil remaining on a surface as a function of time at room temperature. This does NOT reflect that a given valve oil will last the number of days shown, but rather the percentage of oil remaining after a given period of time. Unfortunately, as evaporation occurs, the lighter oil content diminishes until only the slow heavy oil remains on the valves. Experiments back in 1976 proved this.

    EVAPORATION RATE TABLE
    (PERCENT REMAINING VERSUS TIME) Products Vis.(cSt) 19 hrs 48 hrs 72 hrs 96 hrs 120 hrs
    WATER 1.00 - 0%
    MINERAL SPIRITS 1.34 - 0%
    CLARK TERRY 1.83 - 16% - 7% - 6% - 0%
    BENGE 1.99 - 35% - 13% - 8% - 5% - 4%
    BLUE JUICE 1.99 - 44% - 23% - 17% - 12% - 8%
    PLAYERS 2.15 - 44% - 20% - 13% - 8% - 4%
    JUPITER 2.20 - 33% - 17% - 15% - 13% - 10%
    ROCHE-THOMAS 2.31 - 16% - 13% - 13% - 12% - 11%
    HOLTON 2.38 - 25% - 7% - 4% - 0%
    HYBRID 141-A7 3.02 - 92% - 75% - 64% - 55% - 46%
    PRO-OIL RED 3.61 - 74% - 44% - 33% - 21% - 11%
    AL CASS 3.73 - 75% - 48% - 37% - 26% - 16%
    PRO-OIL BLUE 3.80 - 77% - 50% - 37% - 25% - 13%
    SPACE FILLER I 5.10 - 100% - 100% - 100% - 100% - 100%
    SLIDE (t-bones) 5.12 - 100% - 100% - 100% - 100% - 100%
    ALISYN 7.59 - 100% - 100% - 100% - 100% - 100%

    Endurance also has a factor in the piston as it slides down the valve casing it to rub against the oil film. This movement ruptures the film and allow direct metal/metal contact. In hyper-tight valve assemblies (i.e., Monette and Schilke) oil film rupture is potentially more frequent and disastrous. This is a purely mechanical phenomenon which can only be prevented with an oil having a high film strength. Achieving a high film strength oil within the optimum viscosity range (2.5- 4.0 cSt) is recommended. High film strength gives a smooth, slippery feel when the oil is rubbed rapidly between the fingers. When shaken, an oil with a high film strength will yield bubbles that collapse within 1- 3 seconds. Whereas an oil with poor film strength will tend to entrap air for a much longer time.

    posted in Miscellaneous
  • RE: Oiling trumpet

    Here is what AI says:

    When oiling trumpet valves, the key is to use a specialized "valve oil" with a proper viscosity, applying only a few drops on each side of the valve piston, ensuring it coats the moving parts without being excessive, as too much oil can slow down the valve action and attract dirt; it's generally recommended to oil your valves a few times a week or when they feel sluggish, and to always clean the valves regularly to prevent buildup.

    So if using artificial oil, it MUST be true.

    posted in Miscellaneous
  • RE: Oiling trumpet

    @J-Jericho said in Oiling trumpet:

    I've said this before: I always oil valves before and after playing. Same for Amado water keys. Also, I floss and brush my teeth before playing.

    OMG! I have been doing it so wrong all these years! I have been flossing my trumpet and oiling my teeth. No wonder I keep biting my tongue!

    posted in Miscellaneous
  • RE: Buescher Aristocrat 264 - value?

    @J-Jericho said in Buescher Aristocrat 264 - value?:

    @barliman2001 I figured yours might not show up well in my search; It doesn't make sense that you would have a crappy horn. It it also looks like ChatGPT can be a useful tool.

    It's fantastic. I keep finding new uses for it.

    posted in Bb & C Trumpets
  • RE: Buescher Aristocrat 264 - value?

    Here's what ChatGPT says:

    The value of your Buescher Aristocrat 264 Bb trumpet depends on several factors, including its condition, rarity, demand, and market trends. Since you mentioned it's in excellent condition (90% original lacquer, short-stroke valves with as-new compression, and all-original components), it is likely to appeal to collectors or players seeking vintage instruments.

    Here are some factors to help you gauge its value:

    1. Comparable Listings: Research current listings for similar vintage Buescher Aristocrat trumpets in equivalent condition. Check platforms like:

      • eBay
      • Reverb.com
      • Specialist brass instrument shops
      • Trumpet forums or classifieds

      Based on recent sales, similar trumpets often range from $400 to $1,000, with exceptional examples occasionally fetching higher prices.

    2. Rarity and Desirability:

      • Buescher Aristocrats are well-regarded for their craftsmanship and warm tone.
      • If your 264 model is from a particularly desirable production year, it may increase its value. Serial numbers can help identify the exact year and era of manufacture.
    3. Condition:

      • The 90% original lacquer and excellent valve compression are significant selling points.
      • Mention the absence of dents, scratches, or repairs (if true), as this enhances value.
    4. Market Appeal:

      • Big band players and vintage brass enthusiasts may value the 264 for its tone and playability.
      • Highlight its short-stroke valves, as this feature is relatively rare and may appeal to specific players.
    5. Pricing Strategy:

      • If you want to sell quickly, list it in the lower-middle range (e.g., $600–$800).
      • If you're in no rush, start at the higher end (e.g., $900–$1,200) and negotiate.
    6. Documentation and Accessories:

      • Include any original case, mouthpiece, or paperwork if available. These can increase the instrument's perceived value.

    To maximize your sale:

    • Take high-quality photos showing all angles, including serial numbers, valves, and engraving.
    • Provide a detailed description emphasizing its features, condition, and why it stands out.
    • Consider offering it on a platform with a focus on musicians to target the right audience.

    If you want more specific pricing suggestions, sharing the serial number or production year can help refine the estimate.

    posted in Bb & C Trumpets
  • The AI Orchestra

    posted in Music Discussion
  • RE: Vuvuzela

    Are these instruments made in Venevuvuzela?

    posted in Historical & Collector's Items