PH

Thank you, Leigh and all!!!

It was a real honor and pleasure to spend time with you and I can't begin to tell you what a great time it was!!!

The first day at the shop was really overwhelming. Leigh is not kidding when he says I got to play every single model of horn they make (including some prototypes). The first time I stepped into the testing room there were 23 Bb trumpets, 5 flugelhorns, 3 cornets, a prototype C trumpet, and 2 prototype piccolo trumpets on the bench. In addition to that, I saw several other horns pass through (including an Equinox) and got to play on all of them! It was a wonderful education in the full range of great sounding and playing instruments that come out of the Eclipse shop.

After the first long day I had it narrowed down to 4 Bb trumpets (2 MRs, and MY, and a Solar) and 3 flugels (all in red brass). Then, on the second day, with the help of the great ears of Leigh and Alex I selected the horns I am sitting here cuddling right now! As the week progressed Leigh showed me finish options and we selected and positioned the rings, hooks, etc. to the size of my own hands. When the horns came back to me on Friday I could scarcely believe my eyes.

These horns play great right off the bench, but everyone who owns one tells me they will keep getting better and better for several months as they are broken in.

Along the way I got to help Alex pick her cornet, helped her and Leigh pick 3 MY Bbs for the St. Petersburg (Russia) Symphony, ate a lot of great curry, downed a few Guinness and a few more Newcastles, hung with Noel, Henry Lowther, Trumpetmike and a host of other wonderful folks, and came away generally feeling like "the man"!!!

I am looking forward to a long and productive association with these great instruments and with Leigh, John, and all the wonderful folks at Eclipse!!!

Pat Harbison

TrentAustin

Congrats, Pat.

It couldn't happen to two better people (Leigh and you!).

I know it will be great relationship! I'll be looking forward to checking out you on Oleo in E and B again on your new axe at the ITG sessions.

__________________
Trent Austin
Taking a break to focus on my music but I am lurking around. If you want to chat PM me.
http://www.trentaustin.com
http://www.onlinejazzimprovisation.com

PH

By the way...I can't wait to hear Alex on the new cornet once it is broken in! She sounded like an absolute dream on it from the first taste.

Alex Yates

Yep. That's what we're telling you. PH and I played duets with our MRs and also did the Pepsi challenge since they are practically identical. They both play lovely, but there is a noticable warmth and ease of blow that was evident on my instrument (since it has been played for six months now) compared to one right off the bench, such as Pat's. It is just more open and larger sounding without losing any of its original character. Pat can hopefully add his view on this with his perception of the comparison. Also, the blend, overtones and resultant tones we were getting while playing duets was UNBELIEVABLE.

Castle Bravo

Welcome to the team, Mr Harbison!

If you want a different pic on the website send it my way... in the meantime enjoy your new axes!

__________________
Gary Wilder

Alex Yates

No disrespect Newtpt, but this is a can of worms for another thread (perhaps starting one in the Horns forum would be more fitting). I am sure we would all love to discuss this, and there is a lot to discuss on the subject, but this thread is about celebrating the new addition to the Eclipse family of artists - Pat Harbison. Can we please keep it on track? Thanks so much.

Alex Yates

Since we are celebrating.....

Ironically, PH's Birthday is tomorrow, February 21st. Since I am keeper of the pictures (they are in my camera LOL), I thought I would post these.

Eclipse Homies



(I acquired permission to post this photo due to the occasion. It was part of Leigh's tummy-tickling photo sessions)
Apologies for the blurry picture, but the Mad Trumpetmaker snapped it and me thinks he was too busy giggling!






Trumpet with Indianapolis Colts finish.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARBY!

from your MR homie, Yatesy. Here's to many, many more birthdays Pat! Gezondheid! Cheers!

Richard Oliver

Congrats Pat and Eclipse!!

I feel great that I can sit in the cheap seats and whatch all this transpire.

Good Time to be a Trumpeter,

Richard Oliver

P. S. Great photos Alex. I like see the expressions of genuine joy and camaradie. GREAT looking Wick mouthpiece on the Cornet!!

Dave

..

PH

Nope. We're really good friends--a professional team who think similarly about music and how the instrument should sound. Sometimes it feels more like we're a comedy team!

In all seriousness, Alex and I so enjoyed working together that we are planning concert and clinic presentations that demonstrate how everyone these days (from "either side") needs to be able to cross over, both for the development of their musicianship and for actual employment!

Incidentally, we will also demonstrate just how wonderful and versatile these great Eclipse trumpets are! If any of you are interested in hosting such a concert and/or clinic please contact Alex or me!