Trumpeter656

My Cleveland horn was purchased in a pawn shop.

Robert Rowe

Hello, and Welcome, Trumpeter656 !

-- We look forward to your posts. Take some time to read the older posts ... I'm sure you'll discover a wealth of information and advice.
Join in sharing with us, your views and experience.

How 'bout that Cleveland horn ?

Regards,
Robert Rowe

Trumpeter656

Hey!

Well, I was a freshman when I stumbled upon this horn. At the time I was playing a Jupiter student horn (amazing player for what was expected from it), but this "beauty" just caught my eye. Yeah; it was black, dented, and in a smelly, immitation aligator-skin case, but something between it and I clicked. I loved it, and it was only $90. Yeah, first impulses...after more than $600 of fine tuning, but mostly a valve overhaul on all three valves (the valves were leaky and missing the last coat of nickel which aparently was never put on), I had a very nice and good playing horn. It was of .440 bore and had a 4.5" bell, small and comparable to other horns of it's age. Other than that, I had no other info on the horn.

Circled in a highly-detailed ingraving were the words: Cleveland Musical Instr. Co. Clev,d O. After more searching, I came upon the HN White site and found a bit more on the company. From what is said, my horn's company was only in buisness for a few years before being taken over by Mr. White's company because of lack of money to keep running (probably why my horn's valves were missing a coat). During that short amount of time, estimated in 1923, my horn was manufactured. After I had it polished up and the tarnish removed, the horn turned out to be a satin silver finished horn, with bright silver accenting, especially on the engraving. It also had a gold-wash bell and was tunable in the keys of Bb and A.

From further investigation from several repair shops and Anderson Silver Plating, it was decided that my horn was a pro model and that it was a good find because of that. I played on it for two years and then purchased a new Strad. My old horn didn't have rings or saddles for tuning the slides, and the bore was much too small to really use in these modern days. Though that is true, I plan on using it to march with, and I definately shall never sell it.

Jarrett

I picked up a late 80's Bach Strad 37 heavybell about 10 years ago for 300 bucks from a guy who was just plain burnt out on playing. The horn was silver, pretty beat up, but played GREAT. So, I used it for a few years, it got even more beat up and after I met Leigh he offered to overhaul it for me. I wrote Bach in the meantime and found out that it was a horn made in the custom shop for the customer. So now, I've got a very customized (after Leigh) gold plated Bach 37 Heavybell that has increased in value ALOT.
Still play on it today.
-J
Oh, and I have an old "Pioneer" horn I inherited from my Dad that plays really well too. He told me his Mother *my grandmother* bought it from Sears for 99 dollars 50 years ago and gave it to him to learn to play. Then, 20 years later, he gave it to me to learn to play as well. Great horn.
-J

Manny Laureano

I have seen so much written about the Martin Committee trumpet and I've never had any experience with it yet I see how highly regarded it is. What are the qualities people value in this instrument? I'm aware that Miles played one. Is that part of it, kind of like Maynard and the Holton when he was playing them exclusively?

From what I've read, it doesn't seem to be prized as a screech horn but rather a soloist's with a more intimate quality.

Content to show my ignorance,

ML

tom turner

Hi,

IMHO they are quirky horns with funky intonation issues. I feel that they are quite overrated . . . but then again . . . they bring a lot of pride and joy to their owners . . . and that's what it's all about!

Tom

gregc

The Martin Committee horns have a unique tone to them. They are very even across the bandwidth, to my ear, full & fat. I find them ideal for small group jazz and soft ballad playing. Some folks find the intonation and slotting funky, but those who use them use those very properties to full advantage. Sliding up to, down to, or around the note are blues & jazz main-stays. Manny, you should try one. I'd be curious as to what you make of such a horn.... and I mean an old one, not the modern Martin stuff (they're not made to the same specs).
BTW: Roy Lawler is now making a horn very much in the mold of the old 40's - 50's Commitee. He calls it the "C7". I've played it and it's the Real Deal, if you like that type trumpet. I bet he sells a LOT of them. I grabbed one immediately!

gregc

Robert Rowe

Without getting into an entire, separate post topic, I'll just briefly add a comment-or-two ....

I pretty much agree with gregc's comments. I have three of them.
The one to seek is the Medium-Bore (.453") Trumpet, which seems to provide a real "platform" on which a player can really define his-or-her stylistic identity. The issue becomes one of control of the dynamics and "loose slotting" -- not everyone's "cup-of-tea". A technical player need not apply -- stick to your Bachs and Monettes. With the Med-Bore, you need to back-off somewhat -- and then "The Magic" occurs. Best used with a "V", or "funnel" cup (not "C" type) mouthpiece.

Oddly, the horn seems to "underwhelm" (my term) ... but, soon one becomes captivated, and it is very difficult to go back to playing anything else.

( ... just dreamin' .... )
Robert Rowe

etownfwd

I have a nother question for all you Martin fanatics out there.
Is the feeling and "loose slotting" of the Martin Med. Bore akin to the sound and feel of the older Couesnon Flugelhorns? Thanks!
-efwd

topo3man

To get back on topic, I started playing cornet in second grade and used my fathers Conn 12A Coprion cornet. When it was time to go to High School, I needed to get a trumpet for band. Unfortunately, my dad had passed away and my mom was raising four kids on social security. She wanted to get me something to play, but it obviously couldn't be very expensive. She was speaking to one of her friends one day (whose late husband was also a trumpet player; my dad and he used to play in a jazz combo after WWII). My mom's friend offered to sell her husband's horn for $50 (this was in 1972). I have have had the horn ever since. The horn, a 1939 Bach Strad S/N 46XX; ML w/#7 leadpipe with a 38 bell.