| Yes, I am a bit too concerned over bells and whistles.
Okay, I called a dealer in Tuscaloosa (Spelling?). Couldn't get anyone, so I called the HQ.
I guess I pissed him off.
I mentioned the two horns I have played on before, and the fellow said something about the ZeuS "NOT BEING JUST A THIRD TRUMPET TO OWN!!".
Okay, I MENTIONED that to give the man some idea of what I had been used to playing beforehand. The first horn I owned, a Holton Maynard Ferguson, was good, but I thought the sound a bit too bright. I might also mention that I sold the damned thing, since owning two trumpets before getting a ZeuS sends someone off...
The horn I have been playing for five years now is a standard Bach Strad 37. It has been a great horn, and has paid my tuition at college.
However, I have discovered that maybe Bach Strads aren't the greatest trumpets God put on earth. With my last instructor, I noticed his horn, while silver, had a raw brass leadpipe.
"What is that?"
"It's a Blackburn leadpipe on my Bach Strad."
"Why'd you do that?"
"Here, try it."
I tried it. Not only was it much easier to hit the "slots" on the higher notes, but tone was drastically improved.
I spoke with my band director about why the blackburn was better. He (Being a band director) got into a long-winded discussion about how Bach Strads and most name-brand trumpets are mostly manufactured, and how hand-built parts improve the sound, lalala..
So I ordered a Blackburn leadpipe of my own (20-taper, in yellow brass.) I loved it. But then three nights ago, a thought dawned on me.
"What if there's something better?"
I didn't play-test either horns I have had before, mainly because of location. To merely stop on the FIRST thing I like is foolish. I have checked all the custom trumpet websites (as I've mentioned before), and you guys are the ones I've called.
However, when talking to whoever it was, I said something wrong, and really pissed him off. I'm not looking for another horn to fill my gig bag (don't have one, think they're ugly), I'm looking for the horn that I won't let anyone else play on...
(Guy: "Come on Van, just ONE SCALE!"
Me: "NO! It's my PRECIOUS... *Begins gargling sound*")
I also tried to start mentioning what I liked about the Olympus, and stopped me on the Amado keys.
"YOU SHOULDN'T BUY A HORN JUST FOR THE WATER KEYS!"
Everything else is nice too!! Damn, I know I'm not a public speaker by any stretch of the imagination, but I didn't say anything that aggravating.
I have been told by three different dealers that amado keys improve intonation and help the sound. I was trying to mention that before my head was further chewed upon....
If whoever I spoke to on the phone is on this site, I apologize for saying something to set you off. I understand that this isn't just a plaything, since you must have thought thats what I was looking for. I blame myself mostly, I am not good at speaking on the phone (I can check my sentences while writing.)
And I know I sort of ranted. It was an upsetting experience, I don't like dealers to treat me like a moron, they should understand that I WANT to understand. Some places in the United States (NAMELY MY PLACE) don't have experts who teach people the ins and outs of the trumpet. Some dealers (Mainly dealers around me) are looking only for profit. Some people (NAMELY ME) are shoved a horn and told to play good. Some people (NAMELY WHOEVER I SPOKE TO) don't understand that.
Enough. I'm out. Thanks for the reply, Reverend.
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Stage 1 California Light
'94 Bach Strad 37
1900 Eb Cornet
LOUD Steve Patrick 10 1/2 C
LOUD LM93 |