| Stage 1 C trumpet and New York Shop visit
Review of Stage 1 California C Trumpet.
Configuration:
Rose Brass Large Bell
Sterling Silver Lead pipe
Square brass slide with Brace
Sterling Silver rounded slide with brace
Heavy valve caps and buttons
Stage 1 heavy receiver
About a two weeks ago I took delivery of my new Stage 1 C trumpet above. I have a Stage 1 Bb and have been so happy with the service and quality of that trumpet I decided to order a C to match. I owned a Yamaha Xeno C prior to this one, and was also lucky enough to have played many of the new C trumpets on the market to include the Yamaha Chicago and New York. I don’t play C as a primary instrument, but wanted something that could hold its own with all of the big boys. Last year I was able to review the Stage 1 Cal. C serial #0001, and was very impressed. You can find that review if you search the forum.
First impressions, when the C horn was first delivered it appeared very Bach-like. Felix and I had talked several times and I knew he was going to try some new designs on this horn, but I was taken by how it looked. When I first play tested it responded much better than any Bach I have played. The notes where very quick to jump out of the horn and the tone was very nice. Any Bach player would have been very happy with this horn, I however don’t like Bachs and called Felix. As always he was very kind and we agreed on some changes. He sent me some of the heavy valve caps and tops to try out. I have a naturally bright sound, but these caps helped add some body to the tone, even more than was already there. While the horn didn’t respond quite as fast it is still better than anything else I have played. I felt the added weight helped to stabilize the horn. (However this is a personal thing)
After talking with Felix a few more times about some other personal, cosmetic touches I would like (some finger rings moved, receiver change) we decided I would go up to NY and visit Josh Landress, who is now working on some of Felix’s horns. Per Felix’s instructions and my requests Josh took the horn apart and worked on it as I watched. He added a heavy receiver and adjusted it to my mouthpiece, moved some bracing around and made a 1st valve finger ring from scratch. This was all done in about 5 hours total, 2 of which I was present to play test and the other 3 I was able to wander around NY city. When I returned the horn played like a dream. Josh is very good at what he does and Felix kept in touch with me all day to make sure I was getting what I needed. This was a wonderful experience and I was able to play the new Magnum Stage 1 Trumpet (Wow). Talk about a nice horn, I had to put it down or I would have tried to take it out of the shop.
Since my trip to NY I have played the C horn in a few quintet rehearsals and practiced on it in several sized rooms. I have attached it to tuners and compared it to other C horns. I can honestly say this is the best responding C trumpet I have ever played with the best tone. It has a life to the sound I can not compare to other horns. I am disappointed when I pick up the others to compare. The intonation is impeccable, within 3 cents of perfect on each note ( yes the D/Eb/E is a little flat unless you use the alternate fingerings, but I haven’t found a C horn that isn’t). The transition from Bb to C is easy with this horn since the feel is similar in both horns. I am very impressed with the upper register ease. I played a Bach Fugue and the upper notes just popped out. The other player commented that it sounded easy like I was playing a big D trumpet. Anyone looking for a serious C trumpet should check this one out. I have had my Bb for about 6-7 months now and feel it is the best Bb I have ever played. I can see this C trumpet developing into a great compliment to the Bb.
I know I have recommended NYTC before, but after this experience in NY I can’t think of why anyone wouldn’t try them out. Who else is offering a horn built for you while you wait, in a day, so you can play test it. Give Felix an email and he can explain it to you in more detail, I just know I am very happy to be associated with NYTC.
Tony Domenico
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