retiredoc

In the lat 60s and early 70s, Selmer came out with a horn, the Selmer Radial. The idea behind this horn was the the angle of the valves. This horn became very popular with NYC studio musicians of the time, students, and classical players. Murice Andre endorsed the horn. I have one myself. I am the original owner of a 1970 vintage.

Fast forward to today:

The Eclipse, with its "direct airstream to the valve block" and the rear tuning slide seem, like the Radial, to depart form traditional trumpet design.

Say waht you want about Taylor and Monette, as radical as these designs are they do not depart form the intrinsic nature of the trumpet

So, in 10 years from now, will the Eclipse, like the Radial be relagated to a mere temporary curio of the trumpet? And like the Radial, long forgotton?

Vulgano Brother

Not if I win one!

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uatrmpt

The simple fact that the Radial is still talked about means that it is not forgotten and perhaps not a fad. In order to keep from achieving fad status, you need popularity AND longevity. I think that if Eclipse does things right, they will maintain the former and obtain the latter.

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B15M

When some one comes out with something new and it's popular everybody jumps on.

The only way to keep going is to keep research going and also marketing.

From what I've seen Eclipse has done a good job with both.

Unless something weird happens I don't think you will see them going away.

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JJMDestino

I doubt Eclipse trumpets will ever become a fad or be forgotten. I heard someone play on for the first time last week and I can tell you what a sound those horns have. It is a player I respect very much and already really dig his sound, but when he played that Eclipse I was blown away. There was so much sparkle and resonance and everyone in the room was just amazed. The sound was so incredibly even from top to botom. My ears were absolutley buzzing. Eclipse is really onto something with their horns.

stchasking

An article in the ITG Journal said that former Philly Orch. trumpeter Frank Kaderabek's favorite C trumpet was the Selmer Radial.

After searching on the Selmer Radial I wouldn't mind having one. I have always wanted a valve set that was offset for each of my short fingers.
The first valve as is. The second valve tilted left. The third valve tilted right. The radial design would be a bonus.

I would also like this valve arrangment in a left handed horn.

Thank You for posting the Selmer Radial Valve information.

Jim

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bandman

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camelbrass

Bandman,

I don't think it's a 'troll' question. It's something that I have wondered about and I don't think I start threads just to start controversy. As much as I respect Eclipse instruments it's perfectly valid to question their status.

One of my all-time 'heroes' on trumpet played a set of Selmer Radials, Bb and C. John Robertson was principal in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for many years and for those of us that heard him play those trumpets got a real work out. The Olds recording has also stayed the distance....it would be nice to think that Eclipse has the same reputation in 30 years time. Only time and lots of playing will tell.

Regards,


Trevor

music matters

Bandman,

I don't know anything about the Radial but I do own Eclipse instruments. In my opinion they are fantastic horns that sound great and the intonation is superb (I think as good as a Schilke I owned which is more traditional in design) so whether it is down to the rear tuning I don't know. As an overall package they work though.

Will they be around in 30 years? I think this depends on whether Eclipse choose to continue making instruments (I don't think there is a lot of money to be made from being a small independent), or if they get eventually bought out by a larger fish which is probably the most likely.

The market in the UK is probably too small to support them so they are probably heavily dependent on export for their survival as well. The exchange of the US dollar has probably hurt them as it has many other industries exporting to the US making their instruments more expensive. The difference in price between an Eclipse and Bach Strad in the UK is about 600 pounds (roughly $1100) where as in the US the difference is closer to $2000.

I think they are great instruments so as long as they want to keep making them, and people want to buy them ,they will continue!

Graham

camelbrass

OK Bandman,

Got it now...took a while.

Regards,


Trevor