2LIP

As a trumpet player for a couple of years, I was forced to start with a Bach 7C in 1975. As I progressed, I went to the 5C, then 3C, then 1.5 C, back to the 3C, the 5C and when I started playing semi-pro in 1980 and doing a lot of big band/commercial work I went to a Giardinelli, and a different trumpet. I realized then that the trumpet and MP had to work well together, and with the player. Guys I knew were all over the place with MP's. If it was good for 1 guy and he had students, they all started playing whatever the teacher was using.

FF 20 years. I went from a Getzen trumpet to a Schilke and tried to fight it with the same Warburton MP that I had been using for the last 10 years. Tried multiple MP's in the Warburton line to match my Schilke and was never satisfied (I think it was a gap issue). Finally went to Schilke, worked with Karl Hammond, and found the right MP for that horn. I firmly believe that Schilke trumpets work great with Schilke MP's if you can find one that works for you.

6 months ago, I purchased a Kanstul. I didn't like the match between the Schilke MP and the Kanstul so I went on a hunt. I spoke with many people including the folks at Kanstul about MP's. Finally after speaking with many people (Flip Oakes, Mark Curry, Pops McLaughlin), I decided to try the Curry line. Through much trial and auditioning of MP's, I found a combo that works very well with my Kanstul trumpet and Curry MP.

I am sure that some would not like this, and others would be like "wow", but it has to work for me, and it does.

So to make a long answer longer, I think there are magical match ups, and some that would not seem to work well that do. The player, MP, horn have to match or you fight to get what you want out of them. (GR)