TrumpetMaster - View Single Post - Calicchio Trivia

lonelyangel · 07-03-2004, 07:17 AM

Hi Larry, as ever I have enjoyed dipping in to check the progress of this thread - as informative and passionate as all of your contributions to the site.

I know this is old news for some people but I thought I'd mention again how lucky I am to have in my possesion what must be a pretty unique horn. I have an original French Besson bell from circa 1870!!! which has been married to a 1967 Bach ML body (just after the move from Mount Vernon) and lovingly finished by Leigh McKinney of Eclipse Trumpets.

Not suprisisngly, given the origins of the Bach design, the bell fits on to the horn perfectly. It is slightly smaller in diameter than a modern 37 bell, with a tighter taper. It appears to be constructed of a heavier brass than the 37 bell was with a noticably thicker bell wire. The horn plays like a dream - a really bright but compact sound with depth and complex overtones. The stamp on the bell is still crystal clear - not worn at all - which leads me to believe that this bell has seen little or no action in its 130 year life time.

I have pleaded with Leigh to cut the bell to fit onto an Eclipse - so as to get the benefits of the Eclipse design with the classic sound of a French Besson - but I guess that he is right to refuse to do so, this bell could be in a museum it is so perfect.

I would suggest that Leigh is amongst the guys that you are implying are taking up the mantle of manufacturers like Bach, Benge and Olds in that he is providing a service of custom hand built horns to a discerning clientel - filling a gap in the market left by some of the giant corporations of today. I know that I count myself very lucky to be associated with his company - I now have access to a range of horns that were beyond my dreams in terms of their performance, consisitency and craftsmanship.

Incidently you may be interested to note that following my recent trip to Japan, I can report that Calicchio is a very popular brand amongst the session players in Tokyo - there are also several notable Calicchio players working on the London scene. When I was comming up they were seen as very desirable horn - their reputation enhanced by players such as Jerry Hey, Garry Grant and Chuck Findley - who were THE cats amongst my contemporaries.

Hope to get the chance to meet you in LA in early October - I wonder if you can guess where?

All the best, Noel.

07-03-2004, 07:17 AM	#22 (permalink)
lonelyangel Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: London Posts: 196	Hi Larry, as ever I have enjoyed dipping in to check the progress of this thread - as informative and passionate as all of your contributions to the site. I know this is old news for some people but I thought I'd mention again how lucky I am to have in my possesion what must be a pretty unique horn. I have an original French Besson bell from circa 1870!!! which has been married to a 1967 Bach ML body (just after the move from Mount Vernon) and lovingly finished by Leigh McKinney of Eclipse Trumpets. Not suprisisngly, given the origins of the Bach design, the bell fits on to the horn perfectly. It is slightly smaller in diameter than a modern 37 bell, with a tighter taper. It appears to be constructed of a heavier brass than the 37 bell was with a noticably thicker bell wire. The horn plays like a dream - a really bright but compact sound with depth and complex overtones. The stamp on the bell is still crystal clear - not worn at all - which leads me to believe that this bell has seen little or no action in its 130 year life time. I have pleaded with Leigh to cut the bell to fit onto an Eclipse - so as to get the benefits of the Eclipse design with the classic sound of a French Besson - but I guess that he is right to refuse to do so, this bell could be in a museum it is so perfect. I would suggest that Leigh is amongst the guys that you are implying are taking up the mantle of manufacturers like Bach, Benge and Olds in that he is providing a service of custom hand built horns to a discerning clientel - filling a gap in the market left by some of the giant corporations of today. I know that I count myself very lucky to be associated with his company - I now have access to a range of horns that were beyond my dreams in terms of their performance, consisitency and craftsmanship. Incidently you may be interested to note that following my recent trip to Japan, I can report that Calicchio is a very popular brand amongst the session players in Tokyo - there are also several notable Calicchio players working on the London scene. When I was comming up they were seen as very desirable horn - their reputation enhanced by players such as Jerry Hey, Garry Grant and Chuck Findley - who were THE cats amongst my contemporaries. Hope to get the chance to meet you in LA in early October - I wonder if you can guess where? All the best, Noel. __________________ Noel Langley - Eclipse Artist noel@eclipsetrumpets.com Eclipse Medium Yellow, scratch gold Eclipse Medium Heavy Red, custom 'Diamond Back' in 24ct gold Eclipse Red Brass Flugel Custom Scherzer piccolo with copper Wedgewood bell, finished in scratch gold Giardinelli 6S, 6M, 6FL Bach 3CW