Eclipse Flugelhorn Review

NickD · 02-12-2006, 01:59 AM

Folks, the paperwork is still pending, but I'll also be working with Eclipse in a dual endorsment package with NYTC on the Stage 1 California and Eclipse on their magnificent flugelhorn.

I've been asked to write a reivew, so I'll jump in here. I've been asked not to use much slang. I'll try, but I hate being too formal.

For many years my flugelhorn has been a Courtois three valve. My wife gave it to me as wedding present when we got married. It has a special place in my heart and always will. It is a good horn, but I have worn it out. A lot ove work has been done on it - repairs etc. On my MF pics (see the pics on my Mp3unsigned.com site), that's it on my trumpet stand.

I also have my brother's old Yamaha - a small bell horn.

Both of the horns play fine. There is NOTHING wrong with them and I would NEVER discourage anyone from playing one or buying one. That is not my style.

However, I have not felt excited about jazz flugel playing for some time - till I got my hands on Felix's personal Eclipse at the October NYTC trade show here in Glencoe, Illinois. Felix kept bragging to me how I would not want to give it back to him. The rhetoric seemed like typical trumpeter banter between Felix and me, but those ideas quickly dispersed when I recieved the FEdEx with that horn.

I took it out of the case and I really did NOT want to put it down. It was fun just holding it and admiring it. It just looked and felt incredibly cool. Then I put it up to my lips and played it.

Folks, I have never played a better flugelhorn. It has a wonderful smooth warm sound. It's bell is a bit smaller then my old Courtois, but the structureLeigh has come up with is just amazing. The tone, to my ex-lead player's ears, was incredibly smooth and dark.

It is also in tune all up and down the range. OK, I am about to utter "flugelhorn heresy." Skip this if you are easily offended.

When I play above high C on it (the heresy!), it plays in tune - not blowing flat. Now, I don't do it much, but, well, when the mood hits me, the thing slots right up. Just great!

What else I like about this horn is the fact that it has a crispness to the articulation. The notes all have a nice clean pop on slurred sections. It doesn't get fluffy when one is using tongued attacks either.

I was talking to Leigh who was proudly discussing the ideas of taking a mm off here moving a brace there, like a father discussing his child's progress in learning how to play baseball - oops, I mean cricket (sorry, Leigh!). He has put a LOT of care into the fine tuning and design of these flugels.

If you are ANYWHERE near an Eclipse dealer, go try one. It is worth it just to play it. Felix is the NY dealer.

I did use the Eclipse on my new CD (the release date ought to be right around 2/24), and you can hear it on my web site (see below).

Yes, I'll be officially endorsing these horns. That having been said, I would NEVER do this if I didn't believe in these instruments. My dual career path gives me the ability to 'just say no,' if the horn doesn't cut it. I am thrilled to be asked to do this. You can count on 100% sincereity in my review here.

In conclusion, please don't take my meaning to be that other fine horns out there aren't worth looking at. My point is this: if you HAVEN'T tried an Eclipse, DON'T make a final decision on a pro flugel until you have.

Peace.

Nick

frank · 02-12-2006, 05:15 AM

Hi Nick,

That was quick!

W Scott · 02-12-2006, 10:25 AM

Nick, are you going to put up a single on MP3 using the flugel? It would give us a really good idea what it sounds like!

And for everybody else, if you haven't been over to Nicks site lately he's got a great tune up called 'As A Gnome Ran--final' that you really would like listening to!

Bill

NickD · 02-12-2006, 11:21 AM

Hey Bill!

Check out:

Soliloquy
http://www.mp3unsigned.com/Showmp3.a...=26832&aid=633

That piece is for completely unaccompanied flugelhorn. It is an "improvisation" as a bit of a cadenza in front of tunes on gigs - or rather, it WILL be on my upcomcing concert at Glenbard North High School with the quintet on 2/24. It will be cut nine on my new CD. In any case, I specifically did that track to feature the Eclipse flugelhorn completely exposed for what it is - a mighty fine horn!

Jam Cat Boogie:
http://www.mp3unsigned.com/Showmp3.a...=26753&aid=633

This piece is another thing that was just completely improvised with my drummer. I actually love flugelhorn as a funk instrument. It allows me to bend the daylights out of notes and mess around in ways I can't on trumpet. Larry Beers was over in my studio laying some tracks down (imparticular, Meditation #1). He finished up faster than I had expected (Lary is soooo good at this!). So I asked him if he'd just do a flugel-funk drums duet for a few mintues. Check it out. We had a blast. BTW, if your into drums, listen to his right foot! He is NOT using a double kick!

Also, I forgot to mention in my original post that this horn has some amazing valves that 'compete' well with my Stage 1 California valves.

PLEASE drop by and listen! These are not downloadable files, but you can listen to the streaming for free.

Peace!

Nick

trumpetpat · 02-12-2006, 11:42 AM

wow! you sound great! very stable sound. do you have any clips of you on a different flugel so I know how much of the sound was you and how much of the sound was the horn?

fatpauly · 02-12-2006, 02:44 PM

Nick -

Thanks for posting these recordings with your Eclipse flugel. They really demonstrate the beauty (sound & picture!) of Leigh's creation.

I had the pleasure of auditioning the instrument when Felix brought it to our Maryland trumpetfest last August. I was completely impressed with the instrument's sound, construction and finish. It especially appeals to me since my main flugel is a Lawler TLFL, which I prize for its bright tone, especially the way I play it.

The Eclipse, as I played it, had a much darker and more traditional tone. Needless to say, I want to have both tones covered, so I must start saving my pennies to get one someday.

Again, congrats and wishes of new success as an Eclipse artist.

- Paul Artola
Ellicott City, Maryland

eclipse trumpets · 02-12-2006, 04:34 PM

Hi All

I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome Nick on board with Eclipse as an endorsee for our Eclipse flugel horn.

Those of you who know Nick's playing will realize that he could probably play pretty well on a drinking straw, but i hope that the flugel helps just a little

Nick brings out the best in the red bell flugel, and i feel that it enhances his sound also. (simply beautiful playing)
With Eclipse, Nick and NYTC we have a 3 way relationship now which will be beneficial to all concerned.
I missed out meeting up with you in NY a few weeks back, but i hope that we can get together around the time of the ITG?

Just keep playing it like that Nick!!

Best Wishes

Leigh

02-12-2006, 01:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
NickD Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chicago northern suburbs Posts: 845	Eclipse Flugelhorn Review Folks, the paperwork is still pending, but I'll also be working with Eclipse in a dual endorsment package with NYTC on the Stage 1 California and Eclipse on their magnificent flugelhorn. I've been asked to write a reivew, so I'll jump in here. I've been asked not to use much slang. I'll try, but I hate being too formal. For many years my flugelhorn has been a Courtois three valve. My wife gave it to me as wedding present when we got married. It has a special place in my heart and always will. It is a good horn, but I have worn it out. A lot ove work has been done on it - repairs etc. On my MF pics (see the pics on my Mp3unsigned.com site), that's it on my trumpet stand. I also have my brother's old Yamaha - a small bell horn. Both of the horns play fine. There is NOTHING wrong with them and I would NEVER discourage anyone from playing one or buying one. That is not my style. However, I have not felt excited about jazz flugel playing for some time - till I got my hands on Felix's personal Eclipse at the October NYTC trade show here in Glencoe, Illinois. Felix kept bragging to me how I would not want to give it back to him. The rhetoric seemed like typical trumpeter banter between Felix and me, but those ideas quickly dispersed when I recieved the FEdEx with that horn. I took it out of the case and I really did NOT want to put it down. It was fun just holding it and admiring it. It just looked and felt incredibly cool. Then I put it up to my lips and played it. Folks, I have never played a better flugelhorn. It has a wonderful smooth warm sound. It's bell is a bit smaller then my old Courtois, but the structureLeigh has come up with is just amazing. The tone, to my ex-lead player's ears, was incredibly smooth and dark. It is also in tune all up and down the range. OK, I am about to utter "flugelhorn heresy." Skip this if you are easily offended. When I play above high C on it (the heresy!), it plays in tune - not blowing flat. Now, I don't do it much, but, well, when the mood hits me, the thing slots right up. Just great! What else I like about this horn is the fact that it has a crispness to the articulation. The notes all have a nice clean pop on slurred sections. It doesn't get fluffy when one is using tongued attacks either. I was talking to Leigh who was proudly discussing the ideas of taking a mm off here moving a brace there, like a father discussing his child's progress in learning how to play baseball - oops, I mean cricket (sorry, Leigh!). He has put a LOT of care into the fine tuning and design of these flugels. If you are ANYWHERE near an Eclipse dealer, go try one. It is worth it just to play it. Felix is the NY dealer. I did use the Eclipse on my new CD (the release date ought to be right around 2/24), and you can hear it on my web site (see below). Yes, I'll be officially endorsing these horns. That having been said, I would NEVER do this if I didn't believe in these instruments. My dual career path gives me the ability to 'just say no,' if the horn doesn't cut it. I am thrilled to be asked to do this. You can count on 100% sincereity in my review here. In conclusion, please don't take my meaning to be that other fine horns out there aren't worth looking at. My point is this: if you HAVEN'T tried an Eclipse, DON'T make a final decision on a pro flugel until you have. Peace. Nick __________________ NickD "Live Webcam Lessons Now Available with NickD" http://www.nickdrozdoff.com http://www.newyorktrumpetcompany.com http://www.myspace.com/nickdrozdoff

02-12-2006, 10:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
W Scott Piano User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Carson City, NV. Posts: 490	Nick, are you going to put up a single on MP3 using the flugel? It would give us a really good idea what it sounds like! And for everybody else, if you haven't been over to Nicks site lately he's got a great tune up called 'As A Gnome Ran--final' that you really would like listening to! Bill __________________ Gabriel is NOT a woodwind player!

02-12-2006, 11:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
NickD Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chicago northern suburbs Posts: 845	Two tunes Featuring the Eclispe exclusively! Hey Bill! Check out: Soliloquy http://www.mp3unsigned.com/Showmp3.a...=26832&aid=633 That piece is for completely unaccompanied flugelhorn. It is an "improvisation" as a bit of a cadenza in front of tunes on gigs - or rather, it WILL be on my upcomcing concert at Glenbard North High School with the quintet on 2/24. It will be cut nine on my new CD. In any case, I specifically did that track to feature the Eclipse flugelhorn completely exposed for what it is - a mighty fine horn! Jam Cat Boogie: http://www.mp3unsigned.com/Showmp3.a...=26753&aid=633 This piece is another thing that was just completely improvised with my drummer. I actually love flugelhorn as a funk instrument. It allows me to bend the daylights out of notes and mess around in ways I can't on trumpet. Larry Beers was over in my studio laying some tracks down (imparticular, Meditation #1). He finished up faster than I had expected (Lary is soooo good at this!). So I asked him if he'd just do a flugel-funk drums duet for a few mintues. Check it out. We had a blast. BTW, if your into drums, listen to his right foot! He is NOT using a double kick! Also, I forgot to mention in my original post that this horn has some amazing valves that 'compete' well with my Stage 1 California valves. PLEASE drop by and listen! These are not downloadable files, but you can listen to the streaming for free. Peace! Nick __________________ NickD "Live Webcam Lessons Now Available with NickD" http://www.nickdrozdoff.com http://www.newyorktrumpetcompany.com http://www.myspace.com/nickdrozdoff

02-12-2006, 11:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
trumpetpat Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 99	wow! you sound great! very stable sound. do you have any clips of you on a different flugel so I know how much of the sound was you and how much of the sound was the horn? __________________ Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning. - Rich Cook

02-12-2006, 04:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
eclipse trumpets Piano User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: England Posts: 417	Hi All I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome Nick on board with Eclipse as an endorsee for our Eclipse flugel horn. Those of you who know Nick's playing will realize that he could probably play pretty well on a drinking straw, but i hope that the flugel helps just a little Nick brings out the best in the red bell flugel, and i feel that it enhances his sound also. (simply beautiful playing) With Eclipse, Nick and NYTC we have a 3 way relationship now which will be beneficial to all concerned. I missed out meeting up with you in NY a few weeks back, but i hope that we can get together around the time of the ITG? Just keep playing it like that Nick!! Best Wishes Leigh __________________ Eclipse Trumpets Eclipsetrumpets.com

02-12-2006, 05:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
frank Piano User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 429	Hi Nick, That was quick!

02-12-2006, 02:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
fatpauly Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ellicott City, Maryland Posts: 92	Nick - Thanks for posting these recordings with your Eclipse flugel. They really demonstrate the beauty (sound & picture!) of Leigh's creation. I had the pleasure of auditioning the instrument when Felix brought it to our Maryland trumpetfest last August. I was completely impressed with the instrument's sound, construction and finish. It especially appeals to me since my main flugel is a Lawler TLFL, which I prize for its bright tone, especially the way I play it. The Eclipse, as I played it, had a much darker and more traditional tone. Needless to say, I want to have both tones covered, so I must start saving my pennies to get one someday. Again, congrats and wishes of new success as an Eclipse artist. - Paul Artola Ellicott City, Maryland

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