faithfulman

Hi all!

I was just given a gift of a brand new "Portland Instruments" brand of a Pocket Trumpet. I am wondering if anyone has ever heard of this brand and if so, if I should keep it or exchange it for something different? Does anyone here like or use Pocket Trumpets??

Also, I have strongly been thinking about purchasing a flugelhorn, and have been eyeing the new Bach Aristocrat Flugelhorn because of the price. Does anyone have a suggestion for a flugelhorn for a younger guy on a budget?

Thanks!

Faithful

Brekelefuw

I would go with a flugel. It is much more useful than a pocket trumpet.
When buying a horn, don't get one that is a good price. Get the one that feels and plays the best. If there is one that is a bit more expensive than what you want to pay, but wait and save the money. It will be worth it in the long run.

Tootsall

Here's their webpage : http://www.portlandinstruments.com/Index.html .

Any time a new brand comes "out of the woodwork" offering many different types of instruments, be very careful. There is little doubt that they're stencils... the real question is "where are they made" and "how much quality is in them?".

I'd be looking for an instrument from a company who actually have their own manufacturing plant and who are not pulling the horns out of shipping containers down in Long Beach! (with the possible exception of Jupiter and Yamaha).

TrentAustin

anyone who spells cornet CORONET should really be questioned.

IMO,

T

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faithfulman

Thanks for all your advice! Can any of you make a good recommendation for a Flugel that is decent for the price?? I am really tight on the budget. I mainly play in church, so I don't play alot, but I have played in many jazz bands growing up and am a decent player, so I don't want to sound bad.

Any suggestions would be very helpful. I live in an area where I don't have access to "test-play" instruments. Even if I did, I'm not sure where I'd be able to test-play a Flugel. So, any help would be so very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Faithfulman

P.S. I have a B&S Challenger II for my main trumpet.

Walter

I bought a relatively inexpensive Jupiter Flugel with the Rose brass bell a few years ago because I wasn't sure how much I would play it. When I tested it against one of the more expensive Courtois Flugels I found that the sound and intonation were very close...... I was unusally advised by the sales person .....that why spend all the extra money for very little, if any difference in sound. His advise was good in the sense that it saved me money and in reality I play it very little. When I do it has a beautiful and in tune sound... particularly in the church environment.

Downside is that the valves (although free and quick when oiled and used) tend to stick abit and mine have a tiny bit of corrsion partly because of the infrequent use and partly the materials used. Once oiled and freed they play smoothly until the next long lay off. I always wished I had gone for the more expensive horn because of this problem but for the money it was probably a good buy...

Tootsall

I have the even plainer (cheaper) version of the Jupiter... it has no trigger on the 3rd slide. I've had it for about 7 years now and it plays just fine; true, intonation is a bit off on a couple of notes but it spends 99% of it's life in the case. They are also made in China (although the parent company is apparently in Taiwan) but they've paid more attention to the quality control details in the last 10 years or so.

There are other brands which are good "secondary" horns but the Jupiters ARE decent instruments for the price.

faithfulman

Thanks guys for the help. So, I've heard of Jupiter, any other brands that would be similar in quality? Has anyone heard or know anything about Blessing or Amati? In comparison, does anyone think one is better than the others?

Thanks,

Faithfulman

Dave Mickley

I may get flamed for saying this but see if you can find and test a Yamaha 2335 [I think thats the number] student line fluegel horn. I have had 3 fluegels, 2 pro models and the student Yammie. The Yammie has a great tone and is easy to switch back and forth to trumpet. It also played more in tune than the other 2 horns. For someone that is just going to play the fl. once in a while put your money in the horn you will be playing most. Dave

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rowuk

I bought a Getzen Eterna 4 Valved Flugelhorn off of eBay for about $850. It is in tune, speaks nicely and I even get compliments from the woodwinds about the sound.
A wind band that I play with is having a concert this weekend and I will be playing the bassoon solo from Music for a Festival(Philip Sparke) on it. The 4th valve lets me play down to the pedal register cleanly.

My pocket trumpet is only used when I am on a business trip and space is an issue.

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