Best posts made by bobmiller1969

Hello, everyone! I just want to take a moment to share my experience during my visit this past week at Harrelson trumpets. My wife was amazingly thoughtful when she got me plane tickets, hotel accommodations, setting up my appointment at Harrelson Trumpets, and giving me the green light to purchase a new $400 mouthpiece after I tried them out. I had some reservations at first, as I've been playing on mostly vintage equipment for the past 10+ years, and just plunked down about the same amount of money for a Mt. Vernon 3C, which up until my visit at Harrelson, was the best mouthpiece I've played on.

I know that many folks might say that the Mt. Vernon 3C is one of the "Holy Grail" trumpet mouthpieces, and I'd have to agree... mostly. It sounded great, and I was quite happy with it, but it did have some intonation issues. It played quite sharp in the lower register, as well as flat above the staff. This was manageable for the most part, and I thought that the extra work was worth it for the sound I was getting from using it. Nonetheless, I went out to Harrelson with an open mind, and lots of questions.

I met with Christine before Jason arrived, and she gave me a tour or the shop and showroom. I've seen so many of his YouTube videos, that I felt like I had been there before. Christine was super friendly, and we got started trying out some mouthpiece configurations. She set me up with something similar to my mouthpiece, and we kept trying different options until I found the right combination. She made a note on my invoice of a few of the other configurations I liked as well.

The first thing I experienced was that almost immediately, I realized that I needed to back off with my pressure, which isn't excessive, as well as my airflow. The mouthpiece has easily 2-3 times the mass of the Mt. Vernon, but responded almost effortlessly. Wow!

Jason arrived just as we settled on my configuration, and he took me over to try his horns. I tried one of the HT series first and was immediately impressed with how easy it was to play, even though it wouldn't have been the right leadpipe and bell combination for my style. I tried a couple of Summit trumpets, which were even better. Then I tried the Muse, along with the Gravity trumpet. I was floored! He setup the muse with a #4 leadpipe, and the #11 bell. In the lower register, it could play almost as dark as my flugelhorn, but when I pushed it a bit, it lit up, but with very little effort. The Gravity trumpet was insane! That one weighs in at just over 5 pounds, with huge bottom caps, and about a 1 inch thick solid brass leadpipe. Also, there is extra mass added to the valve block. I'm not sure I remember correctly, but I believe that it also had the #4 leadpipe, and a #7 bell. Looking at the horn, I was thinking that it would be stuffy, difficult to play, unresponsive. Wow!!! I could practically whisper into the mouthpiece, and the horn would just speak. I don't think I've ever been able to play at such a soft volume level with that amount of control. Jason was very friendly, and very relaxed. He wasn't trying to sell me anything, or being pushy at all. He happily answered all of my questions, and I must have spent about 4 hours there at the shop.

Bottom line, I have an amazing 5MM mouthpiece which is making it extremely difficult for me to put my horn down. I actually played for a few more hours with a practice mute back at the hotel. I'm also now 100% convinced that he makes the most efficient horns on the planet. (I haven't tried every horn on the planet yet, so I'll let you all know if that ever changes.) I'll be purchasing mouthpieces for my Flugel and cornet shortly, as well as some modifications for my Selmer until I can afford to take the plunge on a Muse MMXX of my own.

Anyone that's interested in an excellent condition Mt. Vernon 3C, you can find it listed on eBay and Reverb, along with quite a few of my other mouthpieces that I no longer require.

I know that Jason has quite a few haters on the forums, mostly from people that haven't played his horns or mouthpieces. That's a shame, really. He's a true innovator in my opinion. Maybe all of the science talk goes over most people's heads, or somehow puts them off. Everything he's doing makes complete sense, and now that I've experienced it first hand, I'm on team Harrelson!

-Bob!

I haven't owned a cornet in quite a few years. I used to have a late 1800's Conn that was pretty fun to play, but needed some work. My first horn was a beat up Conn 80a, probably from the 20's or 30's that my Dad was going to use to make a lamp.

I just picked up this 1960 Holton Straytodyne, and it plays like a dream. It could use a good professional cleaning and valve alignment, but I must have had it on my face for about 5 hours on Saturday. Couldn't put it down.

This has been my main horn for the past 15 years or so, but my sound concept has changed, so it's time for someone else to enjoy playing it.

Listed on eBay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/293065117303
Listed on Reverb
https://rvrb.io/1955-28b-connstell-5c0nqm
Message me if you have any questions about the horn, or are interested. Asking $1049.99. Thanks!

@amzi So sorry to hear about this. I hope that your recovery is going well so far. @Kehaulani I've been on most of these forums for a few years now, and was unaware of your situation until I read one of your posts recently. I 2nd @GeorgeB 's comment.

I actually had a minor stroke, or TIA back in March. It was actually a couple of days after Luke Perry passed away, and strangely enough, that probably saved my life. I was listening to NPR, and they were talking about how to recognize a stroke, which must have sank in, because I recognized the symptoms.

I was lucky to be at home when it happened. I had a bad cold, and stayed on the couch downstairs as to not get my wife sick. I overslept, and was late for work. When I tried to call them to say I'd be late, I couldn't talk. I hung up. Cleared my throat, blew my nose, and called back a few minutes later. Couldn't talk. I went upstairs to use the bathroom, and when I brushed my teeth, I couldn't spit the toothpaste out normally. The left side of my face was partially numb.

I walked into the bedroom, and woke my wife up. She thought I was joking around making noises, but she called 911. I was able to talk a bit in the ambulance about halfway to the ER. FYI, Afrin Nasal Spray and Tylenol cold medicine contain Oxymetazoline, which is a vaso-constrictor. I took them both the night before. I had been having bad headaches for almost a month while I had been using the nose spray, and thought it was just sinus pressure. Anyway...

I won't say that I'm fine now. If you don't know me, you wouldn't notice, but my speech is sluggish, and I sometimes struggle to find words, or just get stuck. My right hand is affected. A month ago, I couldn't type. The first week or so, I couldn't keep my fingers on the valves of my horn. I was off for a week and a half afterwards, and was determined to be able to play. I didn't care much about the typing. My embouchure is different now, as I rely a bit more on the muscles on the right side of my face now. I switched to a bigger rim diameter, as a 3C just didn't work anymore. (I told my doctors that I played the trumpet, and none of them specifically said not to play. I didn't ask them specifically, as I didn't want to hear the answer if it was no.)

What I've learned as a stroke newbie, is that if I'm tired, or under stress, my symptoms get much worse. When I get tired, I am completely wiped out, unlike anything I've felt before. I won't go as far as to say I get confused now, but my thought process is different now. My train of thought jumps the tracks frequently now. I went for physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and they all pretty much told me that I'm fine. I know that I'm not 100%, but like I said, they didn't know me, so they didn't really notice the difference.

I still have a few follow up appointments, and another MRI. I just had a cardio stress test last week, and was hooked up to a heart monitor for a month. (My chest hair is slowly growing back, but at least it's not itchy anymore.)

I'm doing my best to eat better, get exercise, and manage my stress (Mostly out of my control.)

Some days are frustrating, not just with playing, but with just everyday tasks. Other days are pretty good, and I need to remind myself not to push it too hard.

They say some things will come back, but I tend to look at it as needing to learn a new way to do certain things, which includes playing the trumpet. So far, it's my best occupational therapy. I'll be 50 next month, and my big present is my Martin Committee (Charlie Melk has it at the moment.) I'll be damned if I can't play it.

Be patient. Try not to get frustrated. Most importantly, take care of yourself.

I'm somewhat reluctantly selling a couple of my horns, as they don't get the attention they deserve since I bought my trusty 1970 Bach 37. I purchased this horn a couple of years ago from ACB, and the 3rd valve slide ring, thumb saddle, and Saturn water keys were added by Ian at IMBrass. Truly, a great horn, but just not the one for me. More pics and full description on eBay auction. Posting this one kind of late, as the auction ends tomorrow. Feel free to contact me here, or on eBay with any questions. I'm asking $1599, but am open to reasonable offers.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/293452703685

@ButchA So sorry for your loss.

@barliman2001 So happy to hear that you are recovering! Have fun in Sicily!

@tptguy I had a minor stroke 2 years ago, and have had constant ringing in my ears ever since. Some days it's louder than others, but definitely constant.
I've tried a couple of different apps on my phone, which are essentially white noise generators, and they have helped to some degree as far as getting a good night's sleep. Cricket sounds are the best that I've found to mask it, but I've been more annoyed that the apps seem to use a short loop, which has a noticeable start and end point, that makes it less effective. I have pretty much given up on getting rid of it, and am learning to live with it. Strangely enough, one of the only things that completely distracts me from hearing it is playing my horns. It shifts my focus.
For a while, I was certain it would drive me mad, but I was at least halfway there already.
I got my medical card last summer, and that also seems to help (was mainly for my arthritis), but I usually only use that in the evening.
At least it hasn't gotten any worse. It doesn't seem to effect my overall hearing, except for the times it's louder than usual. It's usually worst when I first get up in the morning.

For anyone else suffering from tinnitus, I feel your struggle, but I'd rather have the ringing than not being able to hear at all. Overall, I consider myself lucky.

I'm somewhat reluctantly selling a couple of my horns, as they don't get the attention they deserve. I've been mostly playing my 1970 Bach 37, and it seems to be the best fit for me and my playing. I'm hoping that I won't regret this one. I love it, but anyone that has played one probably knows that switching from a Bach to a Committee requires shifting many gears, at least it does for me.

1st slide work was done by Ian at IMBrass. Valve alignment and gap adjustment was done my Charlie Melk (He is the best!). Getting the right gap on this horn is essential! I recently had most of my back bores cut for Frost sleeves to close the gap completely with his #1 sleeve, and that did the trick for me.

I'm asking $2499, but I'm open to any reasonable offers. More pics and full description on eBay auction. Feel free to contact me here, or on eBay if you have any questions.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/293466620510

Check out my other auctions while you're there. I have a couple of mouthpieces listed, and will be gradually thinning out my vintage mute collection.

@administrator It's my '69 Selmer DeVille. I sent the artist a photo, and said to just do her thing.

@adc are you talking about waxing the inside of your horn? I used to own a couple horns that were raw brass, and I would wipe them down with a little turtle wax spray to keep them from getting tarnished after cleaning them. I never considered waxing the inside. I suppose one could spray a little wax on a lead pipe swab and do this rather easily. Could possibly eliminate red rot?

@tjveloce I remember reading your posts about your Committee on TM about the same time mine was making it's 2nd trip to my (former) tech, who never quite figured out the issue I was having with it.

I finally sent it to Charlie Melk, who definitely had experience with the often discussed "instability" they can have in the lower register. The issue was a combination of several things. He resoldered the braces to relieve the tension (also told me there was almost no solder in the joints), adjusted the gap to almost nothing (I haven't measured it, but just shy of touching the end of the mouthpiece) and did a valve alignment, making sure to use felt instead of rubber.

I have only had it back for just over a week, and following his advice with trying different backbores, I seem to have the horn dialed in to my liking. I'm using an old H.N. White 11 mouthpiece that I bought on a whim for about $25 on eBay. Makes the horn sing. Not sure if it's the backbore, or the fact that it's a fairly stripped down blank that makes the difference. I tried Monette mouthpieces for about 6 months, and definitely learned something from using them, but never quite worked for me on the Committee.

I was ready to let her go if it still wasn't right, but he really performed a miracle. Plays like a dream!

Hello, everyone! Just wanted to let you all know that I'm selling off some of my ever growing mute collection (Most likely to be replaced by even more mutes). Some/most are vintage and have been restored by me. Feel free to message me here, on eBay, or on Reverb if you have any questions. (Might be a horn or 2 up at some point too!) Thanks! -Bob

eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/usr/bobmiller369

Reverb Shop: https://reverb.com/shop/bobs-gear-depot-65

This horn has been sold!

@Dale-Proctor Gorgeous horn! I can see the oval ports clearly in the last picture. What's the advantage? Does it blow differently compared to round ports? I've never seen this before. Just curious.

Hi, Everyone! I'm really excited to introduce everyone to my new line of trumpet mutes. Currently, I've released 3 different models, and I believe that they sound great! I hope to post some more videos when I have a chance over the weekend. Please, check them out at buddhabellymuteco.com, or my eBay store, https://www.ebay.com/usr/bobmiller369, where I have most of them listed. I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts. Thanks! -Bob

@Bob-Pixley beautiful horn! Love the engraving.

I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one of these. Beautiful! I'm sure it plays just as good as it looks. Thanks for posting!

@j-jericho They are made with individually laser cut rings of Baltic Birch plywood. The resonators are solid Walnut (not plywood). The only minor change that I'm making, is switching to more traditional corks for the cup and straight mute. The composite cork just wasn't staying on very well.

I haven't had a chance to make new videos, but here are a couple that I posted to the Facebook page. -Bob

https://fb.watch/lFE3IHxVP8/

https://fb.watch/lFE5NCAwVk/

@Bob-Pixley I'm all about old school. My Holton cornet has some pretty cool art-deco engraving, but can't really see it after the raw brass tarnishes at all. She did a wonderful job!