tom turner

I recently received, for testing and review, a new silver "Celebration" trumpet by Flip Oakes. These things are so rare at this point that only a few handfuls of people have played one, so I feel very blessed.

I'm going to spread the review out for several threads over the next week or so, in order to focus on testing different elements of the way the horn plays. IF ANYONE HAS SPECIFIC THINGS THEY'D LIKE ME TO TEST, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

PART ONE:

1. THE F# SCALE -

I've found that if a horn can lock in and play a nice F# scale throughout the ocatves, that the horn will generally be a really fine playing one. With all the multiple valve combinations interfering with the horn, this scale can sometimes be quite telling. So, after a careful warmup on my Wild Thing trumpet, I was ready for the first test on the Celebration.

Results

Very, very nice and even transition on each note throughout the octaves, from the low F# up to the F# below Triple C. Intonation was really fine, but that's the least of what I was looking for.

Like my other F. Oakes horns, (and using a stairstep analogy) each note ascending seemed to rest on an equal height step with an equal "depth" to each step. This is not encountered on many fine horns, for most horns have notes that are harder to hit and/or harder to stay on the pitch without falling off. The evenness of effort from one note to the other was also remarkably the same!

Of particular interest on this scale test was the way the High G# (above High C) would play. Would the note speak normally, or would it be like on most horns . . . and hardly "work" well at all. I was quite impressed. The A# above that was also solid.


2. THE HIGH A -

Typically the hardest note to speak on most trumpets, I figured I'd spend a while testing how this note spoke . . . and hopefully locked in on the Celebration.

Doing repeated interval skips was VERY pleasing. The note was a real one, and it locked in as good as any trumpet I've ever tested or played. Frankly, I got a real kick out of doing this test, and was amazed how consistent I could hit the A from different directions and speeds between the intervals.

I think people who routinely play above the "ceiling" High G will be quite impressed at what this horn would do for them! I also think that lots of folks who've never been able to comfortably and consistently play above the High G will find that this horn helps 'em get over that barrier caused by the typically "lame" High G# and High A.


3. EASE AND EXTENT OF CONTROL OF THE INSTRUMENT'S RANGE -

Throughout the entire range of the horn from the low F# to the Triple C, the horn was as good and consistent as my Wild Thing. Heck, it might even be a tad easier to play in the stratosphere! I was very impressed. All notes locked evenly and properly, yet released with great control when doing tip trills.


I can already see that this horn holds a whole lot of promise for someone wanting or needing a very serious trumpet! Heck, I might want one of these myself. There are some really exciting things I have to say about the sound, focus and blow. I'll be covering these things in a later test.

Tom Turner