Adam Smith

I am thinking of buying a used harrelson 909 off ebay. It is 2 years old and in the classified section of this site. for the price I could pay to get it, i could buy an edwards gen 3, or a stage 1, or an eclipse. What do ya'll think is the best trumpet for the money?

DubbaCTrumpetMSU

Adam...from what you said you were thinking about for a Stage 1, I would go with either a Stage 1 or an Edwards. That Harrelson is too heavy for that kind of work. I went the Stage 1 route because of working with Felix and the fact that he tailored my horn to my every need-I didn't have as many options with Edwards-but trust me, I was leaning that way too. Try them all! Find the one that YOU like best. Those are all great horns. You need to find one for you.

Russ

bandman

What kind of work? IN his post he says nothing about what kind of work he wants to do???

I own a Harrelson and it is amazing. If you can get a good deal on a Harrelson I'd tell you to buy one in a heart beat.

I'd also love and Eclipse. They play like few other horns I've ever tried, but my Harrelson is the best horn I've ever played.

DubbaCTrumpetMSU

I've talked to him before about what stuff he wants to do with his horn. Just giving my two cents. I don't doubt it at all-I'd like to have my Yamaha modded by Harrelson myself. Or an Eclipse...I still want to try one of those sometime. Unfortunately, nobody near here has them. Adam, see if you can get a trial of any of them. Some might give you one, some might not. But it's worth a shot. I think Harrelson has a few trial horns going around that you can sign up to get and play.
What kind of Eclipse were you looking at? I still wanna try a flugel of theirs sometime.

Bandman-what model Harrelson do you have? Do you have another horn with Harrelson trim? I was thinking about at least getting the trim for my Yamaha Xeno, if not modded-Jason's wait list is extreme this year, and I think he's done taking orders. Curious to know how the 'more simple' mods work. I'd like to get it modded to an LP or an LPR-but I'd have to at least wait until '08.

Adam Smith

Well I really want a harrelson. They are the reason I became a "trumpet nerd" I had a demo of the muse for 10 days and I played more in those 10 days than any other 10 days of my life. But I think I am going to wait on the harrelson until later in my carrer. I am so indecisive. I have a question for you bandman. does your harrelson have a charectaristic trumpet sound?

Jim Wilson

Adam,

You are asking others to make a very personal decision. To answer it best, the "answerer" would have to be intimately familiar with all the horns you've asked to compare. Most do not have that experience. You really need to seek opportunity to play each of the horns you're considering before making a decision. Don't let what's available on eBay drive your decision making.

All that said, I have a new Harrelson 909 and absolutely love the horn. It is helping me progress in ways I never dreamed of. I hope I never have to go back to a lesser horn. And, with that being said, I've not played an Eclipse or Stage 1 so cannot honestly answer your question.

So, be patient, seek playing opportunities on all the horns you're considering.

Jim

Adam Smith

Your right, it is a very personal decision. I just wanted know if you could use that heavy horn in many diferent playing styles. I was sort of heasitant to bid on it because it has been on ebay for 7 days and no one has bid. Im sure whatever I get will be a fantastic horn but every time I just look at picture of the 909 I want to play.

Solar Bell

Perhaps you can email Jason Harrelson and see if he will be at the ITG conference this year. He was at the last one.

Then you can try the horns yourself.

-cw-

Adam Smith

yea..I want to go to an ITG conferece!!! I cant wait to get to one. I just joined the ITG a few days ago. The journals are amazing.

bandman

Jason sold me his Harrelson 750 modification of a Bach Bb. The horn is now a C trumpet and is an amazing instrument. There are several pictures at Harrelson 750.

I don't have time to post much more right now, but if you have more questions later let me know. I love my horn and would not sell it for any price (unless Jason would agree to make me another one!).