note360

Any way, I am not really talking about this from a purely jazz perspective, but let me explain my reasoning.

My dad plays jazz guitar and he wants to do some duo jazz guitar, trumpet stuff. However, he refuses to pump up loud (he is a jazz guitarist), due to the sound he wants and I get that not complaining. Any way, the sound of the trumpet more or less overpowers the sound of the guitar when amped the way he likes it. I could use mutes, those would work, esp the harmon mute which gives one sound I like, however I was thinking that a cornet sound could also be beneficial in this area. Not that i want to play cornet as a trumpet player rahter I would like to approach it the right way too, so I ask now for two things.

Suggestions on a cornet to buy (preferably under $500)?
I heard used Olds Ambassadors, Specials and Recordings are all good. Any other suggestions?

and What mouthpiece should I use? I am really at a lose I want a dark, mellow, feminine cornet sound when i choose to play it.

I am going to scrap the money i get together from teaching and my summer job (of helping professional teachers get kids started on there instruments), to grab myself a decent yet cheapish cornet

__________________
"I'll play it and tell you what it is later." - Miles Davis
"Do not fear mistakes. There are none." - Miles Davis

Trumpets:
TR300 Bach [marching horn]
Big Apple Bach Strad (ML)

Cornets:
1952 Olds Ambassador L.A

Mouthpiece: Curry 5c, Olds 3 (for the cornet atm)

screamingmorris

The Olds Recording would be *way* too expensive for your budget.
Some Olds Specials might be too expensive for your budget, some might be within your budget.
An Olds Ambassador is a good cornet for someone who has never owned a cornet before, and you should be able to find a good one for under $200.
But be sure to get one with a serial number that comes after serial number 189,611 (from 1956) so that it will accept modern mouthpiece shanks.
Olds cornet made before that time required mouthpieces with strange extra-large shanks.

Olds Large Shank Cornet Mouthpieces

F. E. Olds and Son Serial Numbers

I have no idea what mouthpiece you are used to using on a trumpet.
But you should try a deeper cup of that same make and model of mouthpiece.
For example, on my cornet I use a cheap Bach 7-no letter since it is fairly deep with a cup that is mostly "V" shaped, a combination that gives a rather mellow tone.

EDIT:
I just noticed that you use a Curry 5C.
Curry makes a Curry 5VC and Curry 5DC that theoretically should have the same diameter and rim as your trumpet mouthpiece but with a deeper cup and a cornet shank:

Cornet Mouthpieces

- Morris

note360

Thank you, that helps alot. I need to get my money together first now, but I was always looking for a mellower tone (not as dark as a flugel though), so this may just do the trick. I hope I can get a Olds Ambassador, but what are some alternatives in the same price range so I know what to look for besides the Ambassador.

__________________
"I'll play it and tell you what it is later." - Miles Davis
"Do not fear mistakes. There are none." - Miles Davis

Trumpets:
TR300 Bach [marching horn]
Big Apple Bach Strad (ML)

Cornets:
1952 Olds Ambassador L.A

Mouthpiece: Curry 5c, Olds 3 (for the cornet atm)

screamingmorris

Note what I added afterward to my previous post about the Curry cornet mouthpieces.

I'm not sure if you want a good student-level cornet for occasional use, or if you want a modest professional-level cornet.

Good modern brands include Bach, Yamaha, Getzen, Schilke, and many others.

A Bach CR300 student cornet is decent quality:
CORNET: ***BACH*** CR300 - eBay (item 190222425454 end time May-28-08 19:00:00 PDT)

A professional-level Getzen Eterna that might exceed your budget:
Vintage Silver Getzen Eterna Cornet/ Trumpet /w Case - eBay (item 140235550203 end time May-28-08 18:05:40 PDT)

I think this is an intermediate level Getzen cornet?:
Getzen 500 Cornet *NEW* with Pro Bag - A BEAUTY! NR!!! - eBay (item 310053084811 end time Jun-01-08 20:00:21 PDT)

Another Bach student cornet:
BACH CR310 SHEPARDS CROOK CORNET ~ USED - eBay (item 250250914014 end time Jun-01-08 08:03:02 PDT)

A Yamaha student cornet:
Yamaha YCR-2330 Shepherd's Crook Cornet plays great !!! - eBay (item 270239490554 end time May-28-08 12:53:34 PDT)

A Getzen student cornet:
Getzen Cornet Pro Tec Case - eBay (item 250250294051 end time May-25-08 12:28:16 PDT)

An Olds Ambassador student cornet from 1969:
trumpet/coronet - eBay (item 320253876940 end time May-25-08 17:09:29 PDT)

EDIT:
I have been told that the 1960's Olds Ambassadors probably had a .468 bore, which is bigger than many modern cornets that have a .460 bore, so the student-level Ambassador would probably have a richer, darker sound that most modern student-level cornets.

- Morris

screamingmorris

I have sent you a private message through the Trumpet Master system.

Let me know if you don't get it, because sometimes messages get lost in the system.

- Morris

note360

Thanks man your a great help. I may get one of these that u mentioned.

__________________
"I'll play it and tell you what it is later." - Miles Davis
"Do not fear mistakes. There are none." - Miles Davis

Trumpets:
TR300 Bach [marching horn]
Big Apple Bach Strad (ML)

Cornets:
1952 Olds Ambassador L.A

Mouthpiece: Curry 5c, Olds 3 (for the cornet atm)

Brekelefuw

Why don't you just play quietly?

note360

That works too. The main reason is there are ulterior motives of liking brass instruments alot... :) I suffer from an addiction.

__________________
"I'll play it and tell you what it is later." - Miles Davis
"Do not fear mistakes. There are none." - Miles Davis

Trumpets:
TR300 Bach [marching horn]
Big Apple Bach Strad (ML)

Cornets:
1952 Olds Ambassador L.A

Mouthpiece: Curry 5c, Olds 3 (for the cornet atm)