trumpetnick

Folks,

Does anyone play a 4 piston flugelhorn? What makers are making such horn except Courtois? Can anyone give a report on such horns?

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Spada Bach B flat 72, leadpipe 2L/DWMM1.5C
Spada Bach C 256, leadpipe 2LQ/DWMM1.5C
1956 Olds Ambassador Cornet
Spada Custom Piccolo

If you don't know where you are going, you 'll end up someplace else

Tootsall

Getzen make one. Never played one so can't report though.

Model 896. http://getzen.com/fluegel/eterna/896.shtml

NYTC

Possegger just made one.
I haven't played it yet.

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www.NewYorkTrumpetCompany.com
Stage 1 Trumpets

ecarroll

N,

I have the Courtoise and have converted the 4th valve to a .25 tone.

It's VERY big (huge bell, larger bore) but better than other 4 valve options that I've seen so far.

Best,
EC

trumpetnick

Ed,
What is .25 tone?

__________________
Spada Bach B flat 72, leadpipe 2L/DWMM1.5C
Spada Bach C 256, leadpipe 2LQ/DWMM1.5C
1956 Olds Ambassador Cornet
Spada Custom Piccolo

If you don't know where you are going, you 'll end up someplace else

lonelyangel

Trumpet nick, 0.25 means 1/4. Its a way of writing a quarter-tone ie. half a semi-tone.

I can remember a time when I really wanted a Getzen 4 valve flugel. It seemed to be just bigger and better than any other instrument, more valves, bigger bell, larger bore and a HUGE case...plus it came from a far away land and had a z in its name..

I thought it was the ultimate status symbol and mark of a true professional.
Mind you I was only 12 years old at the time and had never played a 4 valve Getzen or any kind of flugel at all.

31 years later I am looking for something more specific ikn a flugelhorn and realised some time ago that in my humble opinion, less is more.

I prefer a smaller flugel, more conical in bore and with a sweeter, more fragile sound - something like a smokey human voice singing a tender ballad. The larger bored flugels can sometimes sound as if they are a soprano tuba or euphonium - a little too sonorous and bombastic for my liking.

Having said all that you will make the sound that you hear in your head which ever instrument you choose. Its really a matter of finding a horn which naturally compliments your 'inner sound'.

I guess that there may be some contemporary classical literature which calls for the 'missing' notes running down to the pedals - otherwise I'd say leave that register to those unlucky enough to have been called to the valve trombone!

All the best. Noel.

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Noel Langley - Eclipse Artist noel@eclipsetrumpets.com

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bandman

Didn't Kanstul make a 4-valve version of the 1525? I own the 3-valve and it plays wonderful! I've never played a 4-valve but I would love to try one.

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John P

I played 'I remember Clifford' on a Getzen 4 Valve when I was in high school. The bell was way bigger than the average flugel. It's the only flugel I've ever played on a regular basis since I'm more of a classical guy, so I can't comment on how it compares to others. I liked it though.

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JP

patdublc

Getzen makes a very nice 4-valve flugelhorn. The used market for them usually commands pretty good prices. You can sometimes find a used Blessing 4-valve for a very good price. I normally play on a Kanstul (3-valve), but I did have a Blessing 4-valve for a while. It played very nicely and IMHO was an incredible bargain of a horn. I'm not usually a fan of the newer Blessing offerings, so that is a strong compliment from me.

The 4th valve can be useful if you're covering a french horn part in a show or small brass group. By holding the 4th valve down, you lower the horn to F. Several notes will be funky on the intonation side because the other slides won't perfectly line up, but you can get by. Of course, if your transposition skills are up to snuff, you can handle this on a 3-valve flugelhorn without introducing the extra intonation issues.

Tulsaband

Kanstul makes the 1526 model. Same horn as the 1525, same bell and bore size, with a 4th valve. We've had a few of these in over the last year. Hope this is helpful....



Ceth Barnett
Tulsa Band Instruments
www.tulsaband.com
(800) 564-1676