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lonelyangel · 04-01-2007, 04:09 PM

OK then....
Here are my thoughts on being the first person to play the 2007 prize eclipse.
Firstly - it is a work of art, beautiful to behold - and easy to hold in your hands too btw. The horn is fractionally heavier than the standard MR but is very well balanced - in no way is it a 'heavy horn' but it does have a certain substance and pleasing weight to it. Leigh is getting a lot of orders for horns in polished gold these days - although his signature scratched/polished horns are very eye catching - the simple polished horns look absolutely classic (I think Alex and PH would agree there).

Whoever wins this contest is going to have a thing of great beauty - a unique creation from a master craftsman, a posession to cherish and admire for many years. I am pretty sure that, as with Leigh's other custom jobs - this will be a one off design, certainly not the start of a new line. I think Leigh goes very much by instinct when it comes to the aesthetics of his custom creations - and I must say he has an eye for design. I trust his taste 100% - I don't think he could make an ugly horn.

Now the bracing and extra weight obviously does affect the sound of the horn - even minute changes to any of the elements on the horn or their position do change the tonal properties and response of the instrument. However this instrument is not really pushing the envelope in terms of radical design - all the bracing and 'finger furniture' are well within the acceptable limits of 'standard' trumpet manufacture and of course the internal geometry of the prize trumpet is identical to the standard MR.

However the changes here are certainly more than cosmetic.

This horn plays beautifully - it is slightly warmer, richer, darker than the standard MR - with a bigger core to the notes. And yet... it also has a more open fluidity to the blow than usual. It is very simple to make a gorgeous sound and the greater flexibility means it is very easy to move across the registers and between harmonics. I think the combination of heavier fittings and one piece bracing has worked like a dream to produce a very expressive instrument. Its true nature might be that of a lyric soloists horn - I just wanted to play soaring melodies on it - but it has bags of projection and can certainly light up a room - a very BIG room - when pushed.

The MR is the most popular of the eclipse range -n it is the most versartile horn, finding favour amongst professional classical players, jazz soloists and commercial/ lead players alike. It is also very popular with students and come back players because it affords a kind of instant beauty to the sound because of the balance of components coupled with the fantastic MR bell.

Whoever wins this prize will be a very happy bunny indeed! Now then, off to work on my secret entry for the competition...

All the best. Noel.

04-01-2007, 04:09 PM	#41 (permalink)
lonelyangel Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: London Posts: 196	Re: THE PRIZE: 2007 Eclipse Contest! OK then.... Here are my thoughts on being the first person to play the 2007 prize eclipse. Firstly - it is a work of art, beautiful to behold - and easy to hold in your hands too btw. The horn is fractionally heavier than the standard MR but is very well balanced - in no way is it a 'heavy horn' but it does have a certain substance and pleasing weight to it. Leigh is getting a lot of orders for horns in polished gold these days - although his signature scratched/polished horns are very eye catching - the simple polished horns look absolutely classic (I think Alex and PH would agree there). Whoever wins this contest is going to have a thing of great beauty - a unique creation from a master craftsman, a posession to cherish and admire for many years. I am pretty sure that, as with Leigh's other custom jobs - this will be a one off design, certainly not the start of a new line. I think Leigh goes very much by instinct when it comes to the aesthetics of his custom creations - and I must say he has an eye for design. I trust his taste 100% - I don't think he could make an ugly horn. Now the bracing and extra weight obviously does affect the sound of the horn - even minute changes to any of the elements on the horn or their position do change the tonal properties and response of the instrument. However this instrument is not really pushing the envelope in terms of radical design - all the bracing and 'finger furniture' are well within the acceptable limits of 'standard' trumpet manufacture and of course the internal geometry of the prize trumpet is identical to the standard MR. However the changes here are certainly more than cosmetic. This horn plays beautifully - it is slightly warmer, richer, darker than the standard MR - with a bigger core to the notes. And yet... it also has a more open fluidity to the blow than usual. It is very simple to make a gorgeous sound and the greater flexibility means it is very easy to move across the registers and between harmonics. I think the combination of heavier fittings and one piece bracing has worked like a dream to produce a very expressive instrument. Its true nature might be that of a lyric soloists horn - I just wanted to play soaring melodies on it - but it has bags of projection and can certainly light up a room - a very BIG room - when pushed. The MR is the most popular of the eclipse range -n it is the most versartile horn, finding favour amongst professional classical players, jazz soloists and commercial/ lead players alike. It is also very popular with students and come back players because it affords a kind of instant beauty to the sound because of the balance of components coupled with the fantastic MR bell. Whoever wins this prize will be a very happy bunny indeed! Now then, off to work on my secret entry for the competition... 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