I am a retired printing and publishing executive who played trumpet from 1953 to 1965 in a small 5 piece combo. Music and playing the trumpet again in 2016 helped me deal with the loss of my darling wife in 2012. Playing again has been my salvation.
I played a Conn 28B Constellation between 1953 up until I stopped playing in 1965. I loved that horn and kicked myself in the ass for selling it. I am now three years into my comeback and finally playing a Conn again. This time it is a 1999 Conn Vintage One 1BR-46 Trumpet that I got from Trent Austin and it is a honey.
I like that TrumpetBoards saw fit to have a place for come back players. I came back to playing in the spring of 2016 at the ripe old age of 80 after a 51 year hiatus. Those 3 years up to now have had plenty of ups and downs, including 3 lip injuries last year, but things are really starting to work out for me. This year I have changed bands because the one I belonged to since the fall of 2016 was no longer challenging enough. The one I recently joined offers plenty of challenge, including being able to play beside a 30 year pro trumpet player who goes out of his way to help me learn the band's extensive play list. Right now I am in Trumpet heaven.
I hope other come back players here will join me in sharing our trials, tribulations and, most importantly, our successes and joy from playing the devil's instrument we all love so dearly.
I am pleased to report that rehabilitation is going well. Starting to regain lost endurance an inch at a time. My range still a little weak B to high C above staff, but that will work itself out as my playing improves. I played about 45 minutes of our 90 minute band practice last night, dropping an octave when needed and this morning practice went well.
The band will be playing at a special Battle Of Britain memorial service this Sunday, consisting of Canada's National Anthem, God Save The Queen and 7 selected Hymns . Nothing difficult here so I will play the entire service.
I want the good doctors here to know that I am truly thankful for, and following, their advice.
George
Next Wednesday our band is booked to play a reception for A Volunteer Award night. The event runs from 6:30 to 9:00 pm and we play as people arrive and at various times throughout the evening. Below is our play list :
Cabaret
Alley Cat
Disney Film Favorites Medley
Snowbird
King Of The Road
Over The Rainbow
Rock Around The Clock
Pennsylvania Polka
Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
Mambo No. 5
Looney Tunes Overture
What A Wonderful World
Colonel Bogey March
The Way We Were
Hawaii Five O theme
Sweet Caroline
Lots of lip burners here. I hope I survive...
My longest layoff was 51 years. I had played between 1953 and 1965 and by the latter the good gigs were disappearing . It was also a time when work and family needed full time attention so I just sold my Conn 28B and concentrated on my career in printing and publishing and it was a move that paid off. After my wife of 57 years passed away in 2012 my world turned upside down. After three years of existing in a dark hole I finally started to see light again and in March 2016 I felt it was time to get back at playing the trumpet. Playing again became my salvation.
I love the 1952 silver plate Selmer Paris medium bore Bb I purchased from
ACB in 2016 and now I have added a companion in this gorgeous 1959
Selmer Paris 24B K-Mod medium large bore Bb in lacquer.
This is a honey with a rich warm tone and will serve as a backup to my Manchester Brass band horn. It is in beautiful condition. Of course it came from ACB.
Well my Olds Recording arrived on Tuesday and I have been playing it mornings and afternoons ever since. I think my other horns are getting jealous.
Fortunately it arrived in perfect condition. And I do mean perfect. This baby looks like it just out of the showroom. It is 3 years younger than me ( 86 in July ) and in much better shape. I had a hard time finding any wear, but there was one tiny area at the bottom of the 3rd valve casing. The previous owner must have had a sweaty left hand pinkie. The rest of the horn is immaculate. This was a well cared for horn.
Because it was recommended to use a thicker grade of valve lubricant, I am using Berp #3. It may have helped, but there was plenty of compression and I am sure a #2 grade would have been just as good.
It is a balanced horn, the only one I have ever owned. Maybe that is what makes the Recording so versatile. I played classic, jazz ballads, swing and even some country music and it was fantastic.
It may not be the best playing trumpet in the world, but IMHO it is certainly one of the best.
All the good things I have heard and read about the Olds Recording are absolutely true. I am one huge happy camper.
And musn't forget Josh and Nate at Austin Custom Brass who go out of their way to make your purchase a pleasure.
George
It's the 1960s King Super 20 Silversonic Symphony Bb Trumpet with a sterling silver and gold washed bell, silver lead pipe and gold trimmings, and is a dual bore from .464 to .468.
This is the King model that Harry James played from the mid 50s up until his death.
I can't wait to hold it in my hands,
George
The subject of buzzing, for or against, is not one worth arguing IMHO.
I know players who say it works for them and those who say it doesn't. No harm in hearing the discussion of why in both cases, but really, it isn't life or death were discussing here, folks.
Also, If everybody here, or elsewhere, always agreed on subjects, it would be a pretty dull place to visit.
George
This was posted at that other site by Jens Lindermann :
A salute to the Covid 19 health care workers by 32 trumpet stars :
@j-jericho said in Customized Olds Recording Model:
Complete with tuning slide plunger/adjuster?
No, mine doesn't have that extra item.
George
Looks a lot like my 1953 28B with the exception that mine was Gold Plated. Lots of happy playing ahead for you, my friend.
George
You are sure getting a lot of fun playing in. Good for you. If there are any videos made it would be fun to watch and hear.
George
What you are saying seems to make perfect sense to me. Thank you for taking the time to reply.
George
With the recent addition of the King Super 20 trumpet to my collection, I never had reason to discuss the subject of a dual bore.
The King is the only large bore horn I own, other than a Conn 5A .485 bore cornet. The King boasts (? ) a dual bore measuring .464 to .468. The King takes a little more effort to play than my other ( mostly Medium Large Bore ) trumpets, but not in a significant way.
So the question is, Why A Dual Bore ? Does a dual bore make a large bore a little easier to play than a normal large bore trumpet ? Since I don't own another normal large bore to compare the King to, I have no way to know the answer to my question.
George
Just went to that website and it was truly amazing. A trip there would be something you would never forget.
And as for Sicily, well I have never been there but I have an Italian penpal who spends quite a bit of time there and she has sent me many videos and pictures, especially of the Lecara Friddi municipality where she and some friends are involved in restoring the Sinatra home where Frank's father was born and raised, as well as adding a Sinatra museum and foundation. Pictures of the countryside and seaside are breathtaking.
George