graysono

In the continuing search for the grail, one's thoughts turn to history. Mine includes a 50s Martin Committee, and later, a Schilke B6, both Medium step bore horns. I loved both but went away to ML bore horns. I am now an old coot and wondering about going back again to medium bores. Three that are on the radar are the Lawler C7, Schilke B6 (again) and the Yamaha 8310z. Which of those--with the same medium bore size--is the most free blowing? The least "stuffy" above the staff? Should one separate the Lawler from the others in terms of quality? I know I will have to play all three myself and plan to do so as it becomes possible. Anyone out there with experience on all three in the medium step bore category?

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graysono

1953 Conn Victor 80A Cornet
1952 LA Olds Ambassador Trumpet
Schilke B6L Trumpet
Stomvi Forte Trumpet
Stomvi Elite Flugelhorn
Stomvi Elite Cornet

rowuk

Free blowing has more to do with you than the horn. If you try and blow the braces off, the Yamaha will probably give you the least grief. The Schilke is probably the most efficient, so you could let it do the most work. I can't say much about the Lawler. It is not of inferior quality

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

Solar Bell

I don't like Yamahas but I have owned and really liked both the B6 and the Lawler C7 (medium bore like the B6)

The Schilke was a little fragile for me as I muscle the horn around a bit.

The C7 played much the same as the B6 but is a sturdier horn.

If I had to make a recommendation I would say the Schilke B6.

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Chuck Willard
The Willard of Oz


"Don't be afraid to see what you see."
Ronald Reagan

The average response time of a 911 call is over 4 minutes.
The average speed of my 9mm is 1250 fps


When seconds count....the police are only minutes away.

Hollowpoints--When you care enough to send the very best!

graysono

Rowuk,
When I was young, I did blow the braces off my Committee. It actually came apart physically fore and aft the valve block. I still put a lot of air through my horns now. My main retirement entertainment is a big band in which the lead and second guys really project. My Stomvi Forte allows me to hold my own on that score but by the end of the gig, it feels as though I am wandering around in it, intonation-wise. I know, I know, that is mostly me, but I am looking for a little horn help, also.

Your double negative on the Lawler (ie, not inferior) I take to mean mostly that you have little experience with them? Not that you were "damning with faint praise"?

Solar Bell,
Your comparisons were very useful, but left me a little confused. I take your sturdier comment to denote physical strength of the horn. If that is correct, your suggestion of the B6 runs counter to the sturdier example you gave. So the B6 is your choice for another reason?

Thank you both for taking the time with these queries.

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graysono

1953 Conn Victor 80A Cornet
1952 LA Olds Ambassador Trumpet
Schilke B6L Trumpet
Stomvi Forte Trumpet
Stomvi Elite Flugelhorn
Stomvi Elite Cornet

Solar Bell

The Lawler is sturdier in comparison to the very lightweight B6. The Lawler is much like the Schilke S series trumpets.

As an overall comparison I would choose the Schilke. The build quality of Schilke trumpets is second to none. Perfect in every way....every Schilke I ever owned or played was consistantly perfect in every way.

There is just something about how a Schilke FEELS in your hands....you have to try one to know what I mean.

I was 100% happy with my B6, the problem was with the way I physically manhandled the horn. I was trying to get a Schilke S-42 to replace my B6 but none were available...anywhere. That is why I switched to a Lawler.

I was very pleasantly surprised with the Lawler, and very happy with it, but all things considered I would prefer the Schilke.

I play an Eclipse now.

__________________
Chuck Willard
The Willard of Oz


"Don't be afraid to see what you see."
Ronald Reagan

The average response time of a 911 call is over 4 minutes.
The average speed of my 9mm is 1250 fps


When seconds count....the police are only minutes away.

Hollowpoints--When you care enough to send the very best!

trumpetnick

Super-Solar-Man

You should ask Leigh for a Titanuim made Eclipse. Or why not Naqahdah or Trinium? It is light and sturdy Hopefully sturdy enough for the powerful Solar grip

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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

EdMann

I've played the Schilkes and find them fine, but somewhat colorless. Of course, that's the rub on the Yamahas, but I couldn't disagree more. My Z is quite the flavorful horn, if I happen to play it properly. This horn REALLY demands that the airstream not be forced or plowed through the horn, tough to do at times in a big band section, for example. When you get the air right, it can really sing. as for the others, you have to adjust the blow.

I had a pro pal of mine try a batch of my horns the other day, including a med bore Committee from '49, the Yamaha, a Selmer K-Mod (stuffiest of the bunch for him (not for me)), and Conn 22B (tight but bright), my ST310 MF Horn (bright and open) and an Olds Super. Frankly he liked the blow of the '69 Olds best, gave him room to overblow it, under blow it. I have to agree.

Disclaimer: haven't tried the Lawler, but I'm dying to.

Ed

gbdeamer

Great thread. I've been considering a couple of these horns recently and the honest opinions are much appreciated...

graysono

Ed,
Not to wander too much away from the great discussion on this thread so far, a refurbed Olds Ambassador rubbed down to the raw brass is my favorite blow right now. Kind of afraid to show up to the big band with it, but I have some gypsy-jazz minded guitar, violin friends that it is perfect for.

I am quite afraid that I have been so long with ML bores (starting with a NY Bach) that mediums are all going to feel restrictive. That happened with a Conn 36B I just sold. However, it was a smaller medium (.437) than the horns we've discussed in this thread. I did try out a 6310Z and did find it restrictive and, as others have noted, easily overblown. However, I am told that the 8310z is more open feeling than its predecessor.

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graysono

1953 Conn Victor 80A Cornet
1952 LA Olds Ambassador Trumpet
Schilke B6L Trumpet
Stomvi Forte Trumpet
Stomvi Elite Flugelhorn
Stomvi Elite Cornet

ComeBackKid

This observation reinforces several significant points that I have voiced so often that some have nominated me to participate in the "soap box derby" (with the end of the course at a tall cliff!)...

I have 11 Ambassadors, several down to the raw brass and I think they stand up with any trumpet (just to show that I put my money where my mouthpiece is). Of course I am biased (we all are!) but my first horn in 1955 was an Ambassador (I still have it and it plays great). That raises the question about why you would be afraid to show up at a big band with it. I use mine (a different one each week) in a symphonic band and the others, with their Benges, Bachs, Xenos, Lawlers, Shilkes and Kanstuls aways come over to see which one I have that week. It is sort of the "curiosity corner" of the band. I admit that I don't sound quite like they do but then I have only been playing for less than 4 months (after a 30 year layoff) but I am catching up.

I have frequently commented about the reasons why conductors, music directors, and even the players themselves, sometimes try to discourage the use of a trumpet based on its pedigree rather than on its sound. But, I think that I now have found the real reason. I posted my findings in another thread - here: http://www.trumpetmaster.com/vb/f131...ity-48714.html (Finally found the real reason for section uniformity)

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Come-Back Kid
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Selmer Invicta London (1956)
Olds Super (1951, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969)
Olds SuperStar (1971)
Olds Studio (1970)
Olds Special (1951, 1956, 1960, 1962)
Olds Ambassador (a few: 1953-1979)
Andreas Eastman (new)
(+Conn Director, King Cleveland, Holton Collegiate,
Blessing Accord, York, Yamaha, Getzen, Amati, Revelle, Bundy, Alcazar)