Multiple Bb's

[miles71]

I have always owned one of each horn I have needed, after playing a Stage 1 recently I ordered one from Felix (NYTC), but had to sell my trusty Xeno to get the funds. I wish I was financialy able to own a few different custom and even factor made horns, but am afraid they would just sit around while I played my "favorite".

So is it a collector thing or do you guys really use all of these horns? (Maybe I am just in the wrong line of work)

[brian moon]

I can't pass up a good deal. Most have their particular strengths but I have two that are in another league from the others. Those are used in the situations where I feel that it is worth the effort to not use a trumpet stand.

[Tootsall]

One other thing to consider, aside from having horns with different "personalities" for different musical contexts... a GOOD, spare horn can be invaluable if/when/should something go wrong with "Axe #1". Even the highest quality instrument can suffer inadvertent accidents and need to go "visit the horn doctor" at an inopportune time. It's good not to have to turn down a gig offering because you don't have a horn at hand.

[Dale Proctor]

I have two Bb trumpets that I regularly play. One for "legit" stuff, and one for big band stuff. The "legit" horn (1977 Bach 43ML Strad) also works pretty well for big band, but the one I use now (my 1960 Conn 6B Victor) is easier to get dirty on, if you dig. I had a few other Bb's, but I'm cleaning house and am down to one extra, a modified L.A. Ambassador that's already spoken for (I hope).

[miles71]

I can see the need for the "spare", but some guys I know have 4 and 5 custom horns and a few others just around.

I am a teacher and dont have the extra funds to have multiple horns, esp. since it isnt my main sourse of income. Since I sold my Xeno I am borrowing a Bach strad. (very old and beaten up) from a freind of mine. I may offer him a few bucks for it and do some work on it myself, might make a good spare horn.

Thanks for the replies.

[Dave Mickley]

I always try to have a good second horn - in fact if you look at my list of trumpets I have three which is my main trumpet depending on the mood I'm in. I just cleaned, lubed and put away my 5X and pulled out my 2X to use and I well probably clean, lube and pull out myK. Allmen to be my main horn here in several months. I just rotate horns on a whim. Dave

[B15M]

I have a set of horns that I bought when I didn't have any money and I also have another one of each that I bought when I could afford what I really wanted.

My daughter plays now and I let her use the first set as she needs them.

[Robert Rowe]

I am a surly and self-absorbed "accumulator" of musical instruments, not just horns.

I dislike the term "collector".

Anyhow -- relevent to the post-topic ... I have what someone told me is a "playing collection".

Martin Committees and Magnas, Blessing Super Artists, Conn Connstellations, King Super 20 Symphonys, Buescher Super 400s, F. Besson (Paris), LeBlanc (Paris), Holton B-47, York Masters, Courtois, etc., etc.

Doesn't really matter to itemize them.

What I do, is play the "heck-outta-'em" ... all of them. I have numerous horns that "come-&-go" on a regular basis. While in my possession, I get them up to playing-condition (doesn't have to be perfect), and use them as often as possible.

They were built to be played; not sit around in cases, or in museum displays.

I take a couple, usually similar, horns along for gigs. Play both (stay with the same mouthpiece, when possible). I try to "rotate" the usage, so all the horns get played regularly. Sometimes, I loan a few out -- to folks I know will take care of them. I like to hear some "feedback", to reinforce my impressions, or reveal "issues" I may have missed.

This is a "hobby" that has evolved into a self-supporting business.

Happy HOGMANAY !!
Robt
_______________________________
"No fat chicks!

[Dale Proctor]

I used to have quite a collection of horns, and was one of those guys who rarely showed up at rehearsals with the same one. My friends were suitably impressed , but I found my ensemble playing suffered while constantly switching horns. I believe you have to "learn" a trumpet, and play on it regularly to get into the groove of the horn. All trumpets have personalities - notes that need to be favored, techniques that are easier/harder than on other horns, mouthpiece issues, etc. The more familiar you are with these quirks (to the point of not having to think about them as you play), the better you'll play.

As I said earlier, I've narrowed my stable down to two good Bb's, and the rest hit the door, bought by someone who wanted them more than I (including my '55 MV Strad, but that's another story). Of course, I still have other trumpets in various keys, a couple of cornets, and a flugelhorn, so the cupboard's not bare. But when I know I'll be playing Eb, for example, I'll dig that trumpet out and refamiliarize myself with it for weeks before I play it in public.

Anyway, not to offend any collectors out there, but the point I'm trying to make is that horn-hopping is not the best way to build a good playing reputation. I decided I didn't have the willpower to resist playing my collection in public, so I got rid of it.

[Robert Rowe]

Originally Posted by Dale Proctor

Anyway, not to offend any collectors out there, but the point I'm trying to make is that horn-hopping is not the best way to build a good playing reputation.

Not being a "collector", I certainly have not been offended.

Understand your "point", though; you could be right.

In my case, I discovered some time ago that "I sound like me" on whatever I play. Slight nuances are apparent, but not so much as to be a dramatic difference. I hear things that please me, and I hear things that don't please me (from various horns).

I play guitar (and other stringed-instruments), and I can feel and hear a definite difference. On guitars, there are so many variations (single-coil pickups vs. double-coil pickups, various "tone woods", solid-body vs. hollow-body vs. semi-hollow body, scale length, string gauge and composition, etc, etc) that there is a major difference.

Still, I try to play the various guitars in my possession, as often as possible. The nature of the "gig" pretty-much determines the choice. Don't play a "pointy-headstock heavy-metal guitar with graphics and whammy-bar" on jazz gigs.

I just try to play all instruments as often as I have the opportunity. No delusions of being on "American Idol" or "MTV" or "Grand 'Ole Opry" (although some former band-mates did appear on "MTV" subsequent to my departure ... wonder if that had anything to do with it?).

Robt
_______________________
"No fat chicks!"