tatakata

Would it crush you to find out Mr. Smith prefers a brilliant sound?

Richard Oliver

Of course, Joe you are right.

I'm assuming, with no 1st hand contact with Carl, that what he had to say on the bulletin board he moderates always has a pedagogical reason behind it.

That's why I said, "it caught my eye."

Since my CV reads: Old Fart in Wyoming who likes the trumpet

and part of his would probably read, and I'm guessing because I just nicked it from his signature, Karl Sievers, DMA. Professor, School of Music, University of Oklahoma; Principal Trumpet, Oklahoma City Philharmonic; Bach Artist/Clinician; General Manager, National Trumpet Competition

I take a hankering to what those sorts report about their 1st hand encounters with those who occupy prestigous positions in the trumpet world.

Not unlike I do when I read your posts Joe.

My quibble was with you using "hearsay" when it wasn't. As far as Phil being misunderstood or Carl taking his comment out of context to prop up a hobby horse (DISCLAIMER: the hobby horse is imaginary and I'm using the phrase to make a point) all you say is indisputible. All that could be true. I rather think not though. I did very much like the line about the "alto clarinet" especially. I thought that part was funny.

miles71

Aside from the obvious "back and forth" I would like to comment on something. I dont usually "rant" on these forums and hope this will not be taken as one.

It seems that everytime someone asks about "what horn to buy" we all have our opinions. If we realize they are but that, opinions, I think it will make things easier. The observation was made that we all reccomend what we play...........well yeah. I know I play the horns I do because of the things I have learned in my years of being a musician and teacher. I think we all know we should try as many horns as possible and go to a reputable store, and etc etc, but isnt this forum for the exchange of ideas. I feel like sometimes the questions asked are not answered and instead there is a "find out for yourself" approach.

On the flip side, no one horn is right for everyone. I know I would like to hear the thoughts of experience before making a big purchase.

I play a Stage 1 Bb and will continue to reccomend Felix and the NYTC to new people and freinds. Not because his horn is the perfect trumpet that will make anyone play like a dream, but because I have found it to be one of the best playing trumpets and NYTC to be one of the best business I have ever encountered. I am confident Felix can help just about anyone out, not by giving you the horn I play, but my steering you in the right direction.

Again, I hope this wasnt a rant. Happy shopping

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www.domenicomusic.com

midwestchops

first of all, i have a great respect for this board and have found nearly everyone here very helpful in many respects. i believe that people come to this section asking advice on horn buying simply because we are not all as educated in the market as some others. many people do not even know of 1/2 of the trumpet man. that are talked about on this board, and moreso do not know what type of trumpets they offer. many of us unfortunately do not have the option of play testing the zillions of fine trumpets that are available to us and so we come here to seek advice of knowlegeable individuals who have personally seen and played these instruments for feedback on things such as build quality, their interpretation of sound quality, intonation and other playing characteristics. i simply do not have the time/place or resources to drive all over the country play testing everything that i think would fit my bill, so most likely in the end, I personally will take the information given to me by educated people here, use my interpretation of that information to find what i believe is what i am looking for, considering all variables including cost/value and order what i believe will fit my bill. if it turns out that its not what i thought it would be, i guess i would sell it and try something else. there are just soooooo many good trumpets with so many different qualities and all within different price ranges that if you simply cant play test them all, and inform decision would be the next best alternative. I am absolutely not trying to fight or negate anyone on here or anything that is said, i just think that everyones situation differs and we must all take that route that works for us. i say we all continue to give the useful information that we have to those who ask and let them do with it what they need. good day to all and happy trumpet shopping!

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"I have never seen a country where they worry so much about their chops as they do in America." -Maurice Andre

B15M

It's nice to have help but if everyone goes on and says "buy the kind I do" how does that help? Now the person knows that twenty people like brand X Y or Z and they are left trying to choose.

Maybe we should post what we don't like about trumpets we have played or start a thread, "This is why I changed my trumpet"

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Bill McCloskey

I was just in the same situation as you. I am a comeback player and after renting a month, I went shopping. I will say that I heartily agree with the suggestion that you try playing the horns yourself if at all possible. Fortunately, I live in New York where it is possible to do that. I visited a number of stores, especially Rayburns near Lincoln Center and was able to try out lots of horns.

I will say this: the ones I thought I would like and the ones I thought I would hate based on reading suggestions on this and other boards were not at all what my reaction was once I started playing them side by side. I was expecting to dislike the mass produced Bach's and other models and to fall in love with the (more expensive) custom horns. Even with my limited ability, there was a vast difference in playing quality (sound and ease of playing) from horn to horn. My favorites ended up not being the ones I thought going in.

BTW, I ended up getting a "custom" horn after all because I was able to do a swap of a guitar I had for an eclipse Large copper. I love the eclipse, but I will probably end up getting another horn as well sometime down the road.

I would suggest if possible making a trip to a large city like New York. It is a good vacation and you can test out the horns yourself. I think it is important to do so if you are going to be happy with the horn you get.

Smrgol

Hey everyone,

thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it. There are a couple music stores near me so I can go try some trumpets out. I agree that it's important to try out different trumpets myself, so that's what I'm going to do.

Thanks again

midwestchops

sorry if it came out that way, but i just meant for us to give the information we have, not necessarily a suggestion.

__________________
"I have never seen a country where they worry so much about their chops as they do in America." -Maurice Andre

rowuk

Here is something heretical:
ANY OF YOU could play other great horns than the ones you own and your audiences would not even know the difference! As a rule, if it sounds great, they do not even care. ALL of the great horns change the miserable sounding lip buzz into a sound that can mesmerize our audiences! The tone color perceived by the audience is a combination of the horn, your mouthpiece and YOU! That is why it is impossible to recommend anything to someone that you do not know!
True, some geek could phantasize about the 27th overtone not being harmonically synchronized with his farting rhythmn..............
The bottom line is that we have an INCREDIBLE choice of horns and in most cases, we are not fine enough players to get everything out of the equipment that we own - regardless of the brand. We talked ourselves into the decision that we made, not based on fact, but on feeling. Some of us even phantasize that the pros play what they do after a long search for the perfect ax. That is just BS. Most of them just stick with whatever they started with - that keeps them consistent. Others wait until a sponsor comes - that keeps the bills paid!
There is nothing wrong with making gut level decisions for ourselves, but that is no objective basis for someone else.
I started a thread about "trumpet design, our experiences" specifically with the request to only describe horns that you have played and NOT to compare. Some pretty consistent data is available there!

As far as Phil Smith is concerned, the quote got off track. Like with most symphonic players brilliant does NOT mean bright. Brilliant to a pro means solid core / lots of overtones, bright means lots of overtones, not enough core. Brilliant projects great distances and is required to get that huge symphonic sound to the ears of the listeners. Bright just annoys the people sitting in front of you. In a symphonic setting, the "sound" up close is not as gorgeous as it is 50 feet away - but then again, the audience is what counts - they pay the bills!

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

regularsopguy

he's asking about KANSTUL and you refer him to NYTC? you aren't paying attention to his question (entirely)

hello SMRGOL,

if you are interested in Kanstul why don't you just call up their sales depratment? Charles Hargett is a knowledgeable person and an expert on the Kanstul line. i understand he plays trumpet so he can guide you towards one of their models that would most suit you. Their model ZKT 1500 is a nice, dark sounding trumpet which would still blend in any section. My friend plays one and I like it almost as much as my Kanstul Chicago (their most Benge-like model)

and the other advise is also good. get thee to a music store that has lots of trumpets and try them all!