derekkress

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more and commenting later!

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__________________
Celebration Bflat by Flip Oakes
Early Yamaha Flugel prototype(Guido Basso)
GR and Stork mouthpieces

Richard Oliver

What a beaut!

derekkress

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__________________
Celebration Bflat by Flip Oakes
Early Yamaha Flugel prototype(Guido Basso)
GR and Stork mouthpieces

confuoco

Looks like quite a flare on that bell. How does it play?

derekkress

Resize Wizard-13.jpg last ones, will be writing later! Goodnight!

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__________________
Celebration Bflat by Flip Oakes
Early Yamaha Flugel prototype(Guido Basso)
GR and Stork mouthpieces

derekkress

I'll write a review later, but after 28 years of playing, this horn is the best horn I've ever played!!!

__________________
Celebration Bflat by Flip Oakes
Early Yamaha Flugel prototype(Guido Basso)
GR and Stork mouthpieces

derekkress

I've been playing the trumpet for close to 28 years now. In that time I've been fortunate since I've always been guided by great musicians and teachers.Some of my mentors were Erik Schultz, Armando Ghitalla, Rheal Matthieu(former student of Claude Gordon, 1st call Montreal scene 60's to 80's) and Ron Dilauro(1st call on Montreal scene today). I also attended McGill and participated in both the jazz and classical programs(Jens Lindemann was there at the same time too doing his BMus performance studying with James Thompson). From about 92-99 I played professionally here in Montreal. I don't think there was any kind of music that I didn't play in those years. I just loved music and of course paying the bills was a good idea also! I had to stop after that for health reasons but have returned playing the last 3 years.

Which brings me to the reason for this post. A new horn! Flip Oakes' Celebration! Flip Oakes Wild Thing Trumpets Design Custom Trumpets Cornets and Flugelhorns
I've been using my trusted Bach 37 and only 3 mouthpiece changes all this time but wear has taken its toll and something new was long overdue.Since I love being versatile, playing lead, improvising and classical ensembles I needed a horn with lots of "personality". Multidimentional at best! Since I couldn't test the horn I did a lot of research. The usual blogging of course, ratings on the net but best of all Tom Turner's reviews here on Trumpetmaster and the many E-mails with Mr.Flip Oakes himself.By trying many different models(Shilkes, Yamahas, Bachs etc...) I had a good mental "feel" of how the Celebration would play. None of the models tested begged me to buy, the closest was the Yamaha 8310LA model but I wasn't getting that "personality" vibe.

What I appreciated in choosing the Celebration is it's simplicity. It's a great design which came about since Flip through his work as a trumpet player and master repair artist has had the chance to try just about every combination of horn out there! He first developed a horn for himself "The Wild Thing". Played by many artist and now Arturo Sandoval the horn is more familiar and popular than ever.So why his "second generation" horn the "Celebration"? I was looking for an open horn, with a rich core sound but with more focus(ie lead playing). My idols are many but the two players whom influenced me the most were Arnie Chycoski(lead in Rob McConnell's Boss Brass) and the dean of trumpet players Adolph "Bud" Herseth. These two artist always got the job done with their legendary tone, concept of sound, projection and artistry.

From what I understood and heard "The Wild Thing's" sound is broader but has a wider effect coming off the bell. This seemed interesting if I was always playing in small groups and/or a soloist. I felt I needed a more "ensemble" horn but which still shines in a lead situation or soloing. Flip took me in that direction and so the Celebration.

It is simply fantastic! A quality horn already set up and ready to play since Flip checks everything before it leaves his shop. "Personality" tons and tons and tons of it! I am finally playing what I was really trying to express in my mind. Slotting, articulation, flexibility etc.. supreme! and the full rich core sound , sublime!
Before hitting my routine I like to take a few notes, like middle C. I'll play it for about 5-10 min just to see how many different tonal colors I can get. Since the Celebration I've added many more! The second day I used this horn I was playing lead on my regular gig. After the first tune was played the sax section in surprise looked back. I think they expected a huge mic up my bell or maybe Wayne Bergeron subbing for me.No it was that huge core sound coming from my Celebration! What fun!

For those worried about a large bore horn don't be. My adjustment period lasted about 15 min. I started on my Bach and proceeded with the new horn. After 15 min I returned to my Bach and regretted the fact that I was playing with "a sock in my horn" all these years. Flip also ships the horn with 2 tuning slides #1 and #2. I've been playing the #1 from the start but if there are any adjustments that's where the #2 comes in since it is the smallest.
We are lucky today. There are many quality horns out there and I got to choose of the best! Thanks Mr.Oakes for sharing your love of music!
My next post will deal with actual playing situations and comments from other artists.
Till then!

__________________
Celebration Bflat by Flip Oakes
Early Yamaha Flugel prototype(Guido Basso)
GR and Stork mouthpieces

confuoco

Sounds like you really like the horn. Congratulations! Where can one test drive a Celebration?

derekkress

Contact Flip Oakes directly Flip Oakes Wild Thing Trumpets Design Custom Trumpets Cornets and Flugelhorns all the info is there. His shop is in Oceanside California. He may be in your area via the groups he plays in or some trade shows.I never had the chance to try it.But I can assure you it is a quality horn. The cats in my band are still commenting after 3 weeks.I'm in total expression mode. I don't "think about what's in my hands anymore" the instrument is an extension of myself. What all trumpet players look for! Good Luck!

__________________
Celebration Bflat by Flip Oakes
Early Yamaha Flugel prototype(Guido Basso)
GR and Stork mouthpieces

MGTrumpet

Congratulations on getting that horn.

Like you, I played on a Bach Strad for many years (35) with few changes. I had never found another horn that matched my Strad. My horn was wearing out and, having traveled to Disney for a reunion, decided to stop at Flip's shop "just" to check out the horn. Honestly, after five minutes, I was so taken with the Wild Thing in my hands, I HAD to buy it. A trombone playing friend was with me and his advice was to ditch the Strad and buy the Wild Thing. Two notes - one on each horn - was all it took to highlight the difference. I bought it that day and haven't looked back. If I try to play my Strad, I get that same "sock inserted" feeling.

Flip makes GREAT horns. They are not necessarily for everybody. But, I sure love that horn.

Now, if I only had the money to go out and get a Wild Thing C...