40cal

Curious to see if anyone owns one of these puppies. I know Alex Yates has one (see the laskey thread), and likes it.

Also, on the eclipse website it says that the C trumpets are only available w/the MY or the MR bell, based on the above mentioned laskey thread I'm guessing that is not necessarily the case today?

Thanks!

__________________


“If there must be trouble, let it be in my day so that my child may have peace.”

Thomas Paine 1737-1809

“That’s all the bullets we had, or we would have shot him more,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd

Alex Yates

Actually, the MY and MR are what work for 99% of the players and what Eclipse uses on their C trumpets. The C trumpet with the HMY bell was a custom job made to someone's request and I was lucky enough to try it out. I honestly didn't know what to expect of the HMY configuration, but I did like it. I will say that it ventured into the "non" traditional sound spectrum though. It had a unique sound color and the blow was very directional.

As far as my MR C, I can't say enough good about it. I love it.

Richard Oliver

40 Cal, good luck on your search. There's what, 2 or 4 guys on here who sell Eclipse. Are you near any of them, so you can drive over and play a few?

I must tell you, or I'll bust about the C trumpet, I'll have a crack to buy. It's a 1946 Benge. May have been a Bb conversion though. I don't know. Steve Dillion dosen't know. And the current owner who is writing a thesis on Mr. Benge dosen't know. Has the musical staff on the bell and the serial # is right also. My main concern was that the bell and valve casing were not always "together." Which worry, the Chicago staff markings on the bell put to rest.

Since I'll never make more than gas money playing trumpet (doubt if I'll ever see that again given the price of gas and the condition of my playing ), a not Bach won't be a problem.

I phoned Charlie Melk yesterday and made reservations for him to gold plate it. I just don't like silver. And, now correct me if I'm wrong, there's no removing the silver plate from a horn and polishing it and lacquering it. Right? Thinking gold plate is because of that. Would be very cool if I'm wrong.

40 Cal, as you play Eclipse C's, let me know about the D/E/Eb and G. Are they really in tune? Alex and the Eclipse website says yes. Wow. Isn't science a grand thing!

Personally, I dont' want an instrument who's pitch is spot on. I need all the excuses I can muster

Happy Practicing,

Richard Oliver

40cal

Richardwy, I am looking forward to the "search". I have an Eclipse MY Bb and love it. After consulting w/multiple members of the TM site here, who are much more knowledgable than me, it was an easy decision. I did buy my horn sight unseen. I was able to play an eclipse prior to purchasing mine, but it was the MR.

Alex, thanks for the info on the HMY. I am always intrigued when I read the bell descriptions and wonder how they would work for a C trumpet of theirs. I am wondering though if you could expound on the "non-traditional" sound. As I read the bell descriptions on the Eclipse site, it seems that particular bell would be a good fit on the C's and one that I was actually wondering about.

__________________


“If there must be trouble, let it be in my day so that my child may have peace.”

Thomas Paine 1737-1809

“That’s all the bullets we had, or we would have shot him more,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd

40cal

Oh and 1 more thing,

"There seems to be a mistake here some how; so, may I ask that you please remove your [BENGE] posts from this thread to another thread dealing with [BENGE] horns?"











I am joking of course. Feel free to mention any trumpet you want in this thread.

__________________


“If there must be trouble, let it be in my day so that my child may have peace.”

Thomas Paine 1737-1809

“That’s all the bullets we had, or we would have shot him more,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd

gzent

Any finish can be removed from a brass trumpet. I would guess any of the big rebuild shops can remove the silver, put a finish of your liking on the brass and then lacquer it.

__________________
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revalation
And the mind's true liberation

Alex Yates

Hey 40Cal, the HMY IS a good fit for the C trumpet if you like a darker sound with a bit less shimmer. My sound concept is a bit old school and I like a bit of shimmer, not brightness, in my sound when playing orchestral repertoire. The HMY was darker with a bit less high overtones than an MY or MR, but still directional, and had a nice punch to the response. The sound was also broad without sounding spread and carried without being bright. I would describe it as sounding a bit "beefier" than your average C trumpet.

A side note on notes being "in tune". No trumpet is slotted with all of the notes perfectly in tune and even if one existed, it wouldn't matter because in most playing situations, we are not riding on absolute pitch anyway. Most importantly, I think most players want a horn that is consistent throughout the range while maintaining some flexibility. These C trumpets slot VERY WELL on the "trouble notes". The Es may be played open and have a ring to them which is not the case on most trumpets even if they manage to be in tune. They may sit a teency bit flat depending on the player, but with little adjustment, are very user friendly. The same for the Eb's and Ds. The G's can be a hair sharp, but again, slot very nicely, easy to adjust and are not screaming high as they are on most horns.

Richard Oliver

Gzent, thank-you! When my turns come in the shop, I'll ask Mr. Melk about finish options and their prices.

And 40 Cal, holy smokes, I thought you were serious for a moment. And regarding your irony, I saw the fussiness at which you're poking fun. I missed it at first, like for a day or better. Then I reailized it was my comment about what I read on the Eclipse web site that started the proverbial ball rolling.

Alex, thank-you for your first hand observations on sound, playing, and pitch of the Eclipse C's. They sound great!

Well, I'm new here. But I can say, thus far I've yet to meet a fussy Eclipse owner or aficionado.

Happy Practicing,

Richard Oliver

40cal

Alex, thank you for your impression of the HMY. I found the comparison of the MR to the HMY especially interesting. I don't know how much "shimmer" I have when I play (probably more edge than anything ) but if I go w/the eclipse C I think the MR may be the way to go....or wait...maybe the MY.......

And Richardwy, I must apologize for having some humor at your expense. Those that know me know that have a very


DRY sense of humor sometimes!!!!!

__________________


“If there must be trouble, let it be in my day so that my child may have peace.”

Thomas Paine 1737-1809

“That’s all the bullets we had, or we would have shot him more,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd

TrentAustin

Hey Alex,

Do you have the standard leadpipe on your C?
-T

PS: I'm looking forward to adding a C to my roster.

__________________
Trent Austin
lurking around. If you want to chat PM me.
http://www.trentaustin.com
http://www.onlinejazzimprovisation.com