Larson GFT LX Bb First Impressions

Chaos · 02-04-2007, 01:42 AM

Well, I received my GFT LX Bb in raw brass today from Ken Larson ( http://www.brasswerks.com ). When I opened it up, I looked at the workmanship. Everything is first class, impeccable fit and finish. So far, so good. I put my mouthpiece in and played a B major scale very softly and played some slurs. I tried some intervals and other scales, still playing softly. The horn is very responsive and resonant, the intonation is right on. The slotting is fairly tight, which I like. The tone is very complex. Rich in overtones and very resonant. Next, I started to put some more air into the horn. The tone stayed very rich and in tune. The upper register is very open and even. As a matter of fact, the horn blows very evenly, from low F# to as high as I can play (only about G6). The valves are very quick and smooth. Then I put alot more air through the horn, and the tone really lit up. It was easy to change the color of the tone, from warm and dark to sizzling.

I played a Lawler Model T before this, and while I liked the Lawler alot, I Love this GFT LX.

MJ · 02-04-2007, 09:39 AM

I got the chance to play a couple of Ken's horns at ITG. I remember his conversions were great and his own trumpets were even better. He was a nice guy and his leadpipes and horns seem to be everywhere now. He knows what he is doing for sure. Enjoy that new horn.

Jimi Michiel · 02-04-2007, 11:42 AM

Ken's horn's are great! I haven't had the chance to play any of the GFT horns, but I recently bough a Bach 239 with a Larson leadpipe, tuning slide and braces. I never though a horn could play so brilliant while retaining such an interesting depth of sound.

Chaos-got any pics?

-Jimi

Chaos · 02-05-2007, 02:42 AM

Hey Jimi,

Sorry this took so long, I couldn't tear myself away from the horn long enough to do this! Anyway, here are a couple of picture (taken with my cell phone, but hey). Go to: http://www.caddell.org/images/GFTLXa.jpg and http://www.caddell.org/images/GFTLXb.jpg

Peace

Joe

Jimi Michiel · 02-05-2007, 11:07 AM

Hey Joe,

Looks great! The bell has an interesting bend to it, it looks almost "ovate" (to use Monette termonology). Congrats, I'm jealous...

-Jimi

PS. You've got the double sleeve where the leadpipe meets the tuning slide, right?

MJ · 02-05-2007, 11:32 AM

Interesting how he puts that thrid valve stop where it is located on the Bb NY Yamaha Artist model

TrentAustin · 02-05-2007, 12:15 PM

what do these horns run for?
I'm looking forward to checking out all the new horns at ITG this year...

Chaos · 02-05-2007, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrentAustin

what do these horns run for?
I'm looking forward to checking out all the new horns at ITG this year...

I paid $3600 for my LX in raw brass. That was $200 off of his normal price, he had a Christmas special.

Chaos · 02-05-2007, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmichiel

Hey Joe,

Looks great! The bell has an interesting bend to it, it looks almost "ovate" (to use Monette termonology). Congrats, I'm jealous...

-Jimi

PS. You've got the double sleeve where the leadpipe meets the tuning slide, right?

It looks like that to me!

Peace

Joe

MJ · 02-05-2007, 06:20 PM

I didn't realize they were that expensive. Who makes the valve sections for him.

02-04-2007, 01:42 AM	#1
Chaos New Friend Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Turlock, California Posts: 10	Larson GFT LX Bb First Impressions Well, I received my GFT LX Bb in raw brass today from Ken Larson ( http://www.brasswerks.com ). When I opened it up, I looked at the workmanship. Everything is first class, impeccable fit and finish. So far, so good. I put my mouthpiece in and played a B major scale very softly and played some slurs. I tried some intervals and other scales, still playing softly. The horn is very responsive and resonant, the intonation is right on. The slotting is fairly tight, which I like. The tone is very complex. Rich in overtones and very resonant. Next, I started to put some more air into the horn. The tone stayed very rich and in tune. The upper register is very open and even. As a matter of fact, the horn blows very evenly, from low F# to as high as I can play (only about G6). The valves are very quick and smooth. Then I put alot more air through the horn, and the tone really lit up. It was easy to change the color of the tone, from warm and dark to sizzling. I played a Lawler Model T before this, and while I liked the Lawler alot, I Love this GFT LX.

02-04-2007, 09:39 AM	#2
MJ Forte User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Naptown Posts: 2,409	Re: Larson GFT LX Bb First Impressions I got the chance to play a couple of Ken's horns at ITG. I remember his conversions were great and his own trumpets were even better. He was a nice guy and his leadpipes and horns seem to be everywhere now. He knows what he is doing for sure. Enjoy that new horn. __________________

02-04-2007, 11:42 AM	#3
Jimi Michiel Forte User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,845	Re: Larson GFT LX Bb First Impressions Ken's horn's are great! I haven't had the chance to play any of the GFT horns, but I recently bough a Bach 239 with a Larson leadpipe, tuning slide and braces. I never though a horn could play so brilliant while retaining such an interesting depth of sound. Chaos-got any pics? -Jimi __________________

02-05-2007, 02:42 AM	#4
Chaos New Friend Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Turlock, California Posts: 10	Re: Larson GFT LX Bb First Impressions Hey Jimi, Sorry this took so long, I couldn't tear myself away from the horn long enough to do this! Anyway, here are a couple of picture (taken with my cell phone, but hey). Go to: http://www.caddell.org/images/GFTLXa.jpg and http://www.caddell.org/images/GFTLXb.jpg Peace Joe

02-05-2007, 11:07 AM	#5
Jimi Michiel Forte User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,845	Re: Larson GFT LX Bb First Impressions Hey Joe, Looks great! The bell has an interesting bend to it, it looks almost "ovate" (to use Monette termonology). Congrats, I'm jealous... -Jimi PS. You've got the double sleeve where the leadpipe meets the tuning slide, right? __________________

02-05-2007, 11:32 AM	#6
MJ Forte User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Naptown Posts: 2,409	Re: Larson GFT LX Bb First Impressions Interesting how he puts that thrid valve stop where it is located on the Bb NY Yamaha Artist model __________________

02-05-2007, 12:15 PM	#7
TrentAustin Forte User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 2,052	Re: Larson GFT LX Bb First Impressions what do these horns run for? I'm looking forward to checking out all the new horns at ITG this year... __________________ http://trentaustin.com Consultant, S.E. Shires Trumpets Shires B59BLW "TA" model Bb trumpet Adams Gold Brass Flugelhorn Wedge Mouthpieces PM me for an appointment to try a Shires!

02-05-2007, 06:20 PM	#10
MJ Forte User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Naptown Posts: 2,409	Re: Larson GFT LX Bb First Impressions I didn't realize they were that expensive. Who makes the valve sections for him. __________________

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