Phil Rinaldi

As per "rowuk"'s request:

My name is Phil Rinaldi. I live about 15 miles outside of New York City in Garwood, New Jersey. I am a Van Cleave Trumpet Artist and Representative. Mark Van Cleave also was/is my mentor and is a very dear friend.

I play the MV2 with a very open leadpipe.

If anyone was at ITG at Rowan University last spring, I was with Mark at the Van Cleave Trumpets (VCT) Booth.

VCT went into full production in November of 2005 and ITG was our "official launch".

There are many things I love about my horn:

1- I think the design is hip. Very simple, but hip.
2- It's center and resonance are better than any horn I have ever played.
3- High G actually slots. (This is due to the bell design.)
4- It is very in tune.
5- It is very even in all registers.
6- I can take it from p to fffff and the sound will not distort.

You can check out all of the details about the horns here:

http://www.vancleavetrumpets.com

The horns can only be purchased through dealers. Our "flagship" dealer is Dillon Music in Woodbridge, NJ. The horns can be seen online:

http://www.dillonmusic.com

or at their store. (They usually have a complete set).

My brief overview:

MV1- Great all around horn. Similiar to a Bach 37.
MV1L- Great lead or concert band horn.
MV2- Has the most decibals and can make a great lead horn in the right person's hands.
MV2L- The most popular lead horn.
MV3- Great resonance, but room for more nuance. Jazz horn.
MV4- Symphonic horn.
MVPR- Fun little pocket trumpet.
MVC1- Very popular C Trumpet. Has a very dark sound. Sold out of these at ITG.
MVF1- Standard Flugel but with two venturi. One is the classic flugel, and the other is tapered like a trumpet. Brighter, but makes for an easier switch.
MVE1- Eb Trumpet just going into production.
MVPicc- Piccolo Trumpet just going into production.
Practice Mute, Straight Mute, and Solo Straight Mute- Just going into production.

Anyway...if anyone has any questions; feel free to E-Mail me at phil@philrinaldi.com or post here.

If anyone is in the area, I would be happy to show you the horns I have at home (MV2, MV1, MV1L, MVC1, and MVF1) or meet you at Dillon Music to help you out.

I'm off to my show.

Take care everyone.

rowuk

Anybody else out there with real experience with these models?

Skip

The address to VCT doesn't work. Interesting.

Phil Rinaldi

The address is:
http://www.vancleavetrumpets.com
I forgot the "s".

Bear

Not too interesting. I'm still waiting on a CD I ordered a more than a year ago... or at least the cashed check back, whichever suits their fancy.

Phil Rinaldi

This thread was started to give information about the horn because someone asked for it.

If you have any concerns about Mark Van Cleave, you can E-Mail him at mark@markvancleave.com

Mark never had a CD for sale.

11thchair

I got the opportunity to try out the MV2 and the MV4 during band practice a couple of months ago.

The units had come into the dealer that afternoon.

There were some break-in issues with the slides and valves. Not a big problem, but it was going to require some stroking. I have had a few new horns in the last 2 years - and I seem to recall them all having little or no issue in the mechanical side. Valve would tend to require more frequent cleaning and oiling the 1st month - but that is it.

Design was simple. No scrolling or ??. Blessing has more.

Don't know how on intonation was - okay - I tend to adjust as I play so it was not out of any normal reaction I do. I was just playing it.

Horn was comfortable to hold. I did not feel anything being out of place.

Tone was fine,but not where I was happy. One of these had a larger bell. I had more trouble adjusting to it. I did prefer my Stomvi to the VC. Maybe because I was used to it, or maybe because the Stomvi is more responsive. I find that I like a bit heavier horn. The VC reminded me of a Benge in that arena.

The mechanical issues (valves and slides) tended to cloud my opinion. I came away feeling like this was a good intermediate horn, but not something to compete with Stomvi Elite, Stage 1, Yammy Xeno, Kanstul Signature, etc. (not in order - the comparison).

Before the flames start - this is just an opinion. I find that different horns work for different people. The VC just did not work for me. I would much rather have a Stage 1 California.

Phil Rinaldi

11thchair-

Thanks for trying the horn.

I can see how you would have break in issues.
VCT tries to keep the horns as lubed as possible, but you just can't get to all the stock everyday.
Also, the tolerances on the valves and slides are really tight...once you break them in, they are as smooth as silk.
The thought behind this is that when someone buys a horn, they will break it in so that it fits them perfect.
In the long run, it is better.

When you get a chance, try the lightweight horns (MV1L, MV2L, and MV3). You may like them better because the lighter bell responds quicker. You give up a little projection for this. You'll find that on the regular weight bells, you need to "trust" the horn more because the projection is so great, you loose a little more "sensory feedback".

Again, thank you for trying the horns and for the feedback.

Robert Rowe

Phil --

Did you teach in Georgetown, Delaware?

If so, you might (?) remember Billy Goggin, Burns Phillips and me.

Robt Rowe

Phil Rinaldi

Robert-

The only teaching I have done at a college was at New Jersey City University in Jersey City, NJ.

However, I do visit my buddy at www.aminortuneup.com in Delaware all the time.