Claude Gnocchi

So, some discussion(s) about these horns here and there.....anyone try any of them? Are they in fact as some state - "an improved Bach?"

wiseone2

I played several at last year's "Trumpet Friday," they are very nice horns with their own character. To compare them to Bach is a disservice to the Van Laar. Van Laar make a darn good horn.
Wilmer

Veldkamp

I play van Laar instruments for quite a while now and as I already explained on the other forum Hub makes lot's of great models. As Wilmer already said it's a disservice to call them improved Bachs. I played great Bach trumpets before I started playing Hub's horns and I found no comparision. Hub's horns have their own character: fast response, open feel, even scales, great projection, great intonation and slotting and very fast valves.

But it's best to try them yourself and look what you think of it. Hub will be at the ITG this year.

kadleck

I too play a Van Laar (a B2). I'm not sure what to compare it to, but Bach would not be my first choice. Maybe a Calicchio? I will say that I'm very satisfied with it!

I'd be curious to see what others think too.

Tony

rowuk

A better Bach is not really an insult. To me that implies that an artisan has designed an instrument to fit in with the "standard" playing and hearing of professional players. That makes the switch easy and the impact on the ensemble playing minimal (except for the new power unleashed by the much better instrument).
I have only played a B2 and thought the sound and blow was very "Bach" like - in every positive sense of that description. I have never tried an Oiram.
As far as slotting goes, Schilke has proven for decades that you do not need a heavy horn for that. They build some of the best slotting (and in tune) horns out there - light weight with that Schilke brilliance!

Veldkamp

I would say that Yamaha tries to make improved Bachs, and I think they succeeded in that. The Artist models are great horns with a Bach feel.

Hub just wants yo make his own models nowadays, he probably started 15 years ago with copying Bach, like Bach started of copying Besson. But after some years every good builder gets his own style. It's just like trying to be a good jazz player. You start imitating players like Clifford Brown, but after a while you get your own voice.