uatrmpt

I agree with you about the price of an Eclipse being reasonable -- IF you want to go that route (I'm currently saving up for a new horn, and an Eclipse is a distinct possibility). But, let's think about it like this: how many people end up sinking the dough into one of these fad horns (Eclipse, Lawler, Wild Thing -- just search the TH archives) and then end up selling it? BTW, there is a Lawler and Wild Thing on ebay right now. Any time you purchase a new horn, you take a risk in not knowing how it will play -- no matter how much time you spend giving it a trial. It might be that a month down the road it's just sucking the life out of you; or like the old Lawlers, the Amati valves are crapping out.

I think that in the hands of a skilled craftsman, like Charlie Melk does with the Eb horns, or Rich Ita, you could end up with an excellent "frankenhorn".

Disclaimer: I'm not saying it's the be all-end all of trumpet; but, just as an answer to Row's original question of whether or not it would be cheaper to get a proven high-quality horn.

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--Matt--

Tootsall

I once had a chance to try a "frankenhorn". It was a Bach bell on a Yamaha block with a Blackburn pipe! It opened my eyes to what a horn felt and sounded like with "spot on" intonation and an easy, free resistance. Very shortly after that I bought myself a Schilke and sold my 180ML37.

kadleck

I would guess that each horn manufacturer is putting out what they think is their best possible horn. That being said, I still think there's a place to experiment (cheaply, even) with "frankenhorns" (thanks Toots!).

When I blow into a Bach, I feel like I'm playing a piccolo tpt. (in terms of resistance). Yamahas (to me) feel incredibly open. But, I've talked to many players who feel the exact opposite. (Many of my favorite players play Bachs. And while I may love the sound, I just can't get used to the blow.) I have no idea why. However, Bach bells seem "live" to me, where Yamaha bells feel "dead".

I guess the bottom line is that one really needs to know exactly what he/she wants before they start chopping up horns!

Tony

P.S. Tony G.: Yes, I think you did have that horn!

tombrown1

Interesting thread.

I've been trying to get up the guts for quite awhile now to take my Chicago Yamaha C and put a 229 on it. Anybody have any thoughts/experience?

40cal

Are you unhappy w/the chicago C? If not, I would leave it as is. If you think there is room for improvement and you have the $$, then by all means, go for it!!!

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MJ

I thought one of the main features of the new Yamahas was the way the bell gets thinner towards the outer edges of the bell. I think alot of work went into that design. That being said I say go for it Tom.

If I had a Yamaha body and a Bach bell laying around I would slap those together in a minute. I have an old Yamaha / Malone conversion C trumpet with a MC1 pipe. The bell is a Yamaha Gold Heavy. Its one of the best C trumpets I have ever played so I guess I got lucky. But if it wasn't so great I'd try different things with it.

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Schwab

Do it Tom! I never liked the sound of the 9445CHS horns. They do play in tune though.

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Dylan Schwab
Stage 1 New York

kadleck

While I love this idea, I must say that messing around with a $1200 horn is a lot different than messing with a $3000 horn. I think I'd be a chicken in this case!

Tony

MJ

shhhh. Come on tony. this isn't our horn. don't discourage him.

So what are you waiting for Tom? Let us know how this plays when you switch out the bells

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Schwab

How did it go Tom? If you screw up the horn, just ask Uncle Sam to get you a new one for Christmas!

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Dylan Schwab
Stage 1 New York