Hello all! Formerly ‘cyber_shake’ on TM (and still that on TH), going to use ‘Shepherds_Crook’ here.

@ACB Trent makes that $280 axe sound pretty good!

Yes, the rare model 143! That just makes ya mad ... as I’m sure so many probably get sucked in on these. Sad. Parents are often cheap when it comes to getting first instruments, and I understand, because you don’t know if the kid will stick with it or not.

I remember while working at Baldwin Piano back in the ‘80’s, we had a comic on the wall of a kid and his dad standing in front of a 100-year old upright piano missing key tops, with broken stings sticking out where body panels were missing, and looking like a piece of junk. Dad was smiling (while the kid looked stunned) as he said to his son, ‘we got you this starter piano to learn on. Once you learn how to play this one, we’ll get you a nice one’!

Not everyone can afford a nice new instrument for their kid, but getting them a crap instrument really lowers their chance of ever learning to play. Instrument rentals are a nice option, if you can rent a decent instrument ... not just a smashed Bundy that the dealer has been renting for the last 20 years.

BTW: Trent can make a garden hose sound really good, so don’t buy a knock-off Strad because it sounds good in the video above. Do your child a favor and get a decent horn. Buying a nice 2nd-hand Strad, Yamaha, or Getzen can be a great option that you’ll likely be able to sell in 2 years for exactly what you paid for it now ... IF it turns out that little Jimmy is going to be a soccer star and not the next band president at his school.

Trent also has some really nice playing ‘new’ horns that won’t break the bank ... so you ought to visit his website, give them a call with your questions, and get junior a horn that will help them become the best player possible... and then get your kid a good trumpet teacher! That is the other part of the success equation!

My flugel Days started in high school when I convinced my parents I needed one. I tried a Getzen 4-valve, an Olds Clark Terry, but the winner was a new Couesnon 140 at Ray Lammers Music in Cincinnati. I played it from 1979-2005. Great sound... lousy build quality and suspect intonation.

I commissioned Lawler to make me one, but I never liked it. Great sound and intonation, but it closed off at A above the staff, and after trying different MPs with the same issue, it was traded for a Weril Regium that I played at Miles Ahead Music in Louisville. My college buddy, Miles Davis (really! But not ‘that’ Miles) has a nice store worth checking out. It was a solid player, but I kept looking for a better axe. Enter the CarolBrass flugel! It looked amazing, and played easily, but the tone was muddy.

Then at the 2015 ITG I played every flugel I could find. Kept returning to the ACB room to play this one horn five different times during the day. It was an Adams F1 with a red brass bell that had a silver flair. I was stunned how nicely it played. I could not leave ITG without it!

My favorite MP is a Curry. I play the deepest one and the next to deepest one he makes. They have a great sound. I played more shallow ones in the past, but they sound too trumpety.

Couesnon 140

Weril Regium

CarolBrass CFL-6200-GSS-SLB Brushed Matte Lacquer

Adams F1 with Red Brass Bell and Silver Flair

I think the main reason is Miles didn’t play a Martin Committee Cornet! The Committee trumpet is a very good horn, but many might think it commands an inflated value. The Committee cornet, and most cornets, are simply undervalued and underpriced, in my opinion.

N+1 has caused much personal tension for years. I went through a heavy season of acquiring more horns and really enjoyed that experience... but finally got to a point when I realized that certain ones weren’t getting played often enough and I felt I’d hit the ‘too many’ threshold. Instead of N+1, I would go N-1 or 2, and then +1 again. The tension is when I want to keep them all ... but reason ultimately helps me through that dilemma. 3 trumpets, 1 pocket and 1 Flugel is the current situation. I added the pocket and a DaCarbo in the past year. Not sorry about either ... but that may change.

My Marcinkiewicz Rembrandt Four-X Rick Braun model with commercial bronze bell

Another (not mine) Marcinkiewicz Rembrandt Four-X Rick Braun model with copper bell in satin lacquer

My Adams A4 LT-S with red brass bell

Getzen 3850 Cornet

Enjoyed the trumpet MP so much I got one for my flugelhorn too. I really like the comfort of the AR rim design.

I love The Boss, and have listened to his music more hours than some of you have been alive ... but can’t leave this thread without a mention of the ‘other’ Scream Machine!

[link url]

For the fans of the Olds Recording, Adams has just released a new balanced trumpet made exclusively for Taylor Music in Aberdeen, SD with offset valves! The horn is here: http://www.1800usaband.com/products/view/7875

and ACB did a video review here:

Based on the Adams A3 model, this new 'Fulcrum' model was modified and now features Olds Recording features:

• The 2nd valve is offset to the left, for a more ergonomic hand-position.
• The entire valve-section is moved forward, to better balance the horn and to provide the performer with many hours of stress-free playing.
• The spring-return 3rd valve trigger provides smooth, easy tuning for certain 3rd-valve combination fingerings.

I am geeked by this new horn and look forward to playing it at ITG (I hope it will be there)!

The balanced aspect is cool (as long as you don't crash your mouthpiece into your chops), but I am more excited to see the offset valves! I always enjoyed playing the Recording because of this feature ... and know with the outstanding quality at Adams that this horn will be well done in every way.

How lives in SD?

The first response will be from Dr GO, I imagine = king of the Recordings!

WTS: CarolBrass CTR 8060H 'BALANCED' Trumpet in silver plate. Excellent condition. Similar look to vintage Selmers and Olds Recordings. .460 ML bore. Gold brass bell and a sterling silver lead pipe. 5" Gold brass bell with Bach 72 styled bell flair. Included case, 2 tuning slides: C and D shaped, and 2 sets of finger buttons/top and bottom valve caps: heavy (pictured) and light weight. $1,200 includes shipping CONUS. Paypal preferred. Contact me for the Paypal address or with any questions. BrassHurricane@gmail.com. Located in Cincinnati, OH USA. This is a really nice playing trumpet and the fit and finish are exceptional.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49074884213_cbe00b4273_b.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49074884203_d3d184cc7e_b.jpg

@sir_ricardo

Hi Richard. The SEV was the top of the line model by Getzen at that time. They were mostly silver plated, but you could order in lacquer as well.

I think the main reason is Miles didn’t play a Martin Committee Cornet! The Committee trumpet is a very good horn, but many might think it commands an inflated value. The Committee cornet, and most cornets, are simply undervalued and underpriced, in my opinion.

@dr-go oh no! You purchased a gold mouthpiece … I can think of a million better ways to spend my money

@dr-go YES! Trumpet humanitarian! And don’t stop ….

@georgeb kinda funny to me, but I never changed my MP for years and was happy. Then when I did try some other things, I started to realize some were actually better than others for me, and the Safari began. I also realized I could switch around and not have issues doing so. I can still do that, but for the last season of playing, the AR is my favorite so I have been playing it exclusively and am totally satisfied.

N+1 has caused much personal tension for years. I went through a heavy season of acquiring more horns and really enjoyed that experience... but finally got to a point when I realized that certain ones weren’t getting played often enough and I felt I’d hit the ‘too many’ threshold. Instead of N+1, I would go N-1 or 2, and then +1 again. The tension is when I want to keep them all ... but reason ultimately helps me through that dilemma. 3 trumpets, 1 pocket and 1 Flugel is the current situation. I added the pocket and a DaCarbo in the past year. Not sorry about either ... but that may change.

@administrator that is a big bummer to hear …
I have only worked directly with Tony at AR in Italy. Adam has his own line … Lotus. I have no idea about if AR has anything to do with those mouthpieces. They are not mentioned by name on the Lotus website like those on the trumpet-building side of that biz, but do mention moving manufacturing of the MPs from Switzerland to Italy.

@administrator not related.

@lake-serperior said in Good trumpet upgrades?:

Hello, I have had the same trumpet (Yamaha advantage trumpet ytr200ad) since I started band. I in high school now, and I'd like to upgrade. I have found some trumpets that I will link below, and I'd like an opinion on if they are a sufficient upgrade, and if so, an opinion on how do they compare to other trumpets.

First, I'm glad you are on the forum. Second, it is cool you are still playing and enjoying trumpet + wanting to upgrade your axe. If you aren't currently doing so, spend you money on trumpet lessons from a good teacher. Beyond increasing your skills, they are going to be a great resource for 'your next trumpet' too. Third, isn't it time to practice? Yes! Yes, it is! Forth, go and play as many horns as you can (go to ITG this summer, if you can) and see what you like. Then discuss with your teacher. Njoy!

Enjoyed the trumpet MP so much I got one for my flugelhorn too. I really like the comfort of the AR rim design.