@BigDub I believe Amazing Grace is one of those songs that really demonstrates how music is the language of GOD. This is one of those pieces that is relatively simple but if one opens up their heart while playing, it (the song) will create many variations and speak to multitudes of people in their own way. I have never played it the same way twice and I have never played it that I wasn't touched in a new way.

I personally feel that sounding (not playing) Taps is a tremendous honor, I never quite understood this till about eight or nine years ago. Let me back up a lot and tell you a story. Back in my hometown of Sidney, OH we always had a Memorial Day Parade and the high school band always marched. When we got to the cemetery one of the band members would sound taps and then another standing way off would sound the echo, always very moving. My junior year I was supposed to be the echo, when it came time I could not get a note out of my horn. I was so ashamed and so embarrased as I had performed many solo works since 7th grade. Needless to say I never tried again as I was just too emotional. Fast forward about 45 years and a gentleman we went to church with passed away and his wife and daughtrs asked me to sound Taps for him, I reluctantly said yes ( I play my trumpet a lot in church). I struggled with the idea of doing this till the funeral but I made it thru just fine even though each time I do this I still get a large lump in my throat. I will say that is one of the best things I have ever done. The little town we lived near has an active American Legion Honor Guard to salute veterans at their funerals and everyone without fail has expressed how much it meant to them to have live Taps. It has given great satisfaction to me also as it humbles me to honor their service. I have now done this more times than I care to remember and on numerous occasions people have tried to pay for this but I say no as it is the least I can do.

Bugle or trumpet doesn't matter if you let your heart do the playing.

@Tobylou8 - Thanks for all the info and your advice, think I will flash it up.

@ButchA

How PRECIOUS - Praise The LORD !!!!!

@cuivree said in Trumpets Made ONLY by Their Maker:

@administrator said in Trumpets Made ONLY by Their Maker:

Besides Monette, Harrelson, Getzen and Conn-Selmer (and the now defunct Kanstul), I do not know of any American trumpet makers that truly make 100% of components in-house (excluding spit valves, of course).

Kanstul isn't defunct - yet. They're still breathing, but the life support plug may be pulled at any moment.

I am not sure what you mean by 'Still breathing' but when I called Kanstul several weeks ago looking for a part they told me they were out of business and all parts were gone.

does anyone have any experience bending the trumpet tubing ? I have played around with making "Dizzy" style bells but with limited success, I hope some of you can help me increase my success.

I have watched videos of the Conn factory bending tubing filled with a mixture of soap & water frozen but I don't know what percentage of soap to water works best. My results have been anywhere from great to minor rippling to 2 bells actually breaking in two.

I have also tried Cerrobend and had a bell break in two.

The bends I am attempting are just forward of the 2nd valve and just under 45 degrees.

Any advice would be appreciated.
TIA,

Ray Z

@Shepherds_Crook here are some pix.

I have acquired a nice old trumpet that I have been unable to find any info on so I am hoping that you all can help me with your collective knowledge.

The horn is a A K Huttl Graslitz trumpet, the bell engraving has Grand Prix, Buenos Aires. I have not been able to find anything in particular on the internet, maybe I just don't know how to look.

I will try to post some pictures soon.

TIA,
Ray Z

@Shepherds_Crook Here is one that I hope shows the copper leadpipe, if it was replaced it must have been a long time ago as it looks original.

@rowuk Thanks for your opinion, I do respect it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115613723760

I really appreciate all the comments, it is interesting what one simple question can evoke and maybe I should be a little clearer. My question as 'why cheaper' was specifically referring to the Martin Committee cornets referenced in the title. I know there are many different styles and qualities of cornets and my experience has lead me to believe that cornets as a whole are not as popular as trumpets because they are not as flashy as trumpets especially to the younger players. I am trying to find out why the Martin Committee Deluxe cornet doesn't command a price closer to the price of the Committee trumpet. Personally I subscribe to the thoughts of I think "Rowuk" of the old TM forums when he answered a question about the difference between a student mouthpiece and a pro mouthpiece -" it's more about the software than the hardware !".
,

@administrator said in Martin Committee Cornets - Why So Cheap, comparatively ???:

Those are wonky cornets. The trumpets are perfect for jazz. What are the cornets perfect for?

I have a Shepherd's Crook cornet for the occasional brass band style playing I do. I do not like American-style cornets. They play and sound just like trumpets.

Excuse me if I sound impertinent but how do you define "wonky" ?

I have come across a Martin Committee Deluxe cornet with a serial number less than 200,000 with an asking price of less than $1,000. In some extensive research several years back I was told that the Martin horns with serial numbers less than 200,000 were the best quality horns an serials higher shoud be more closely scrutinized. I have a Handcraft Imperial trumpet #12xxxx and it would appear that advice/knowledge seems to hold true. In watching Martin horns a lot I am puzzled as to why the cornets seem to be less desired/valued. I have actually seen some Committee cornets sell for $500.
Can anyone educate me on this ???

Could anyone give me an honest opinion re: Cannonball trumpets from student line to pro models ? I have no experience with them, I know they make good saxes but beyond that I know nothing.

@flugelgirl said in How Do I Date A King 2055T:

Try this, from Conn-Selmer: https://www.conn-selmer.com/en-us/resources/serial-numbers/king-instrument-serial-numbers

Thanks for the help Flugelgirl but this list seems to have the same problem I run into with other lists and that is that this serial number (352xxx) x refs to between 1956 and 1960 and I have been told that the 2055T didn't start production till after 1979.

I can't seem to get Conn-Selmer to respond to me with any help either.

I am mostly an old Conn man so I don't know much about King instruments. In some rudimentary research I have discovered that most people when referring to a King Silver Flair are actually talking about the 1055. I have also learned that the serial numbers on a 2055 won't jive up with the King serial # list that is the most commonly found. Does anyone know how to date 2055T (SN 352xxx) ?
Thanks,

This certainly sounds like a good deal and I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but I think I did pretty good a few years ago. I actually found a 5 digit serial # Strad in a pawn shop, silver plated #37 that was basically perfect (no work needed) for $299, they didn't know what they had.

@kehaulani said in An Interesting Situation I ran Into Today - Wonder if anyone Else Has Or Your Thoughts:

So, your information is second or third hand?

How do you figure that, I was communicating with the parents ?

@kehaulani said in An Interesting Situation I ran Into Today - Wonder if anyone Else Has Or Your Thoughts:

But make sure that is actually what the teacher said and the student "heard".

It is my understanding that this was told directly to the parent(s).