New horn honeymoon, first gig, etc.

miles71 · 04-10-2007, 06:09 PM

As you guys know I have just recieved my new Stage 1 Custom and have promised a review. I know these horns are talked about a lot on the forums, but they are very good and should be considered. As always, these are my personal experinces and should not be taken as a prescription to fix all the trumpet problems in the world. anyway...

I recieved the Stage 1 5 days ago and have gotten to play it a few times in depth. When I first recieved it I was amazed at how well it was built. The fittings are perfect and the valves are scary good. Mine has a new design for the valve block and it really makes them cook. I thought the modular horn had some good valves, but these are tremendous. All of the slides fit better than anything I have ever tried in the past. I did get two slides and have found, due to the size of the copper bell, the clearance is very close to the bell when switching them out. Not a big deal, I just put a rag over the bell as a precaution when changing them out.

The first day I played the horn I was surprised by the life in the horn. It is almost like controling a fire hose. The notes jump out of the bell and, to be honest, I sounded like poop when I first started play the horn. I found out later I was trying to hard and just needed to do what we all need to do.........relax. I didnt really get to play the horn until my easter gig.

Yes, it is sometimes dangerous to play a new horn at a gig, but I had to. Not only due to being anxious, but I sold my other Bb to help pay for this one!! Standard Brass Quintet gig in a church. I was worried about my tone and if it would blend, no problem. The Stage 1 fit in like it was meant to be there. (I used the rounded slide for this gig). I did find I was having problems with the top of the staff, D through G, and was cracking notes I dont usually crack. Aside from this the hron played beautifully and I was complimented on my sound. I also heard from my wife several of the congregation where talking about why my horn looked so different than the others, its fun to be noticed

The day after I had some time to really play around with this horn. I have always been able to acclimate to a horn quickly, just a stupid thing I can do, but the Stage 1 confused me. I got out the tuner and made some interesting finds. This horn actually plays in tune!!! Yeah, I know, all horns play in tune, its the player who plays in tune, blah blah blah. Well, this one plays the closest in tune for me of any other horn I have played. I was clamming all over the top of the staff because I was trying to adjust. The dreaded fourth partial isn't as flat on this one. The Stage 1 plays right on with the tuner throughout the overtone series. I was also able to record myself in a little room and found the tone to be rich, full, and even in the different registers. This is a fun trumpet.

Today I was able play along with my jazz band and the horn continues to impress me. I switched out to the squared nickel slide and the horn just screamed. In a bigger room (a band room of about 2000 sq feet) I could really hear the sound bouncing around. It has a fat quality I am really liking. The sterling silver lead pipe at first seemd to make the horn a bit bright, but in a bigger room it was not bright at all, just big. After my classes I had a planning in which the room was empty. I did some more serious playing with both configurations and was very happy with the results.

This Stage 1 is even throughout the registers, plays in tune, has a rich core to the sound that does not lack brillance, and is getting easier to play everytime I pick it up. I know this is the honeymoon phase, but I hope things keep getting better. More to come................

Vulgano Brother · 04-10-2007, 07:03 PM

Sounds like fun! I'm jealous. It isn't fair. I should be the one with a new horn.

screamingmorris · 04-10-2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miles71

As you guys know I have just recieved my new Stage 1 Custom and have promised a review. I know these horns are talked about a lot on the forums, but they are very good and should be considered. As always, these are my personal experinces and should not be taken as a prescription to fix all the trumpet problems in the world. anyway...

I recieved the Stage 1 5 days ago and have gotten to play it a few times in depth. When I first recieved it I was amazed at how well it was built. The fittings are perfect and the valves are scary good. Mine has a new design for the valve block and it really makes them cook. I thought the modular horn had some good valves, but these are tremendous. All of the slides fit better than anything I have ever tried in the past. I did get two slides and have found, due to the size of the copper bell, the clearance is very close to the bell when switching them out. Not a big deal, I just put a rag over the bell as a precaution when changing them out.

The first day I played the horn I was surprised by the life in the horn. It is almost like controling a fire hose. The notes jump out of the bell and, to be honest, I sounded like poop when I first started play the horn. I found out later I was trying to hard and just needed to do what we all need to do.........relax. I didnt really get to play the horn until my easter gig.

Yes, it is sometimes dangerous to play a new horn at a gig, but I had to. Not only due to being anxious, but I sold my other Bb to help pay for this one!! Standard Brass Quintet gig in a church. I was worried about my tone and if it would blend, no problem. The Stage 1 fit in like it was meant to be there. (I used the rounded slide for this gig). I did find I was having problems with the top of the staff, D through G, and was cracking notes I dont usually crack. Aside from this the hron played beautifully and I was complimented on my sound. I also heard from my wife several of the congregation where talking about why my horn looked so different than the others, its fun to be noticed

The day after I had some time to really play around with this horn. I have always been able to acclimate to a horn quickly, just a stupid thing I can do, but the Stage 1 confused me. I got out the tuner and made some interesting finds. This horn actually plays in tune!!! Yeah, I know, all horns play in tune, its the player who plays in tune, blah blah blah. Well, this one plays the closest in tune for me of any other horn I have played. I was clamming all over the top of the staff because I was trying to adjust. The dreaded fourth partial isn't as flat on this one. The Stage 1 plays right on with the tuner throughout the overtone series. I was also able to record myself in a little room and found the tone to be rich, full, and even in the different registers. This is a fun trumpet.

Today I was able play along with my jazz band and the horn continues to impress me. I switched out to the squared nickel slide and the horn just screamed. In a bigger room (a band room of about 2000 sq feet) I could really hear the sound bouncing around. It has a fat quality I am really liking. The sterling silver lead pipe at first seemd to make the horn a bit bright, but in a bigger room it was not bright at all, just big. After my classes I had a planning in which the room was empty. I did some more serious playing with both configurations and was very happy with the results.

This Stage 1 is even throughout the registers, plays in tune, has a rich core to the sound that does not lack brillance, and is getting easier to play everytime I pick it up. I know this is the honeymoon phase, but I hope things keep getting better. More to come................

Since I am an amateur who returned to playing trumpet after a 30 year hiatus, and I am dirt poor, *please* tell me that the trumpet you just described is available on eBay for under $200 :^)

- morris

Principaltrumpet · 04-10-2007, 07:43 PM

Sounds like someone is in love, glad to hear the horn plays as good as it looks!
JR

ozboy · 04-10-2007, 09:11 PM

I play a French Besson with two tuning slides. i use the square one for more legit gigs and the round one for jazz gigs. It's funny that you seem to use them the other way around (unless I've read incorrectly). I wonder if this is due to the different response from your horn. I find the D shaped tuning slide gives a little more resistance and you get to place notes where the round slide is more open blowing. Sounds like a great trumpet. i've read about them a little but never seen one. I'm envious.

bilboinsa · 04-10-2007, 10:42 PM

Miles71:

I am curious...did you give your horn a bath before playing on it? Others have recommended that to me, and I was wondering if you did this on your new horn.

miles71 · 04-11-2007, 10:38 AM

I am still experimenting with the slides and am finding the sqaure one growing on me. I am sure the fact it is nickel gives it the zing it has.

I did not bathe the horn before I played it, I have found it to be already quite clean and not even much in the valve casings as afr as that grey gunk.

miles71 · 04-16-2007, 04:36 PM

Well, its been about a week since my new horn arrived. I am really starting to find the center of the notes and no longer am having trouble with that fourth partial. I had a chance to play some in a big room today and the tone is ridiculously even from low G below C to High G above High C. The vlaves are amazingly quick and feel wonderful. I havent played better valve action. I am staring to see the benifit of the two slides as well. I can play all the notes on both, but they have sucha a different feel. The rounded has a great core to the sound and a fat quality, the nickel square has the same core, but with a sizzle to it. The rounded is very open and even while the square give you something to push against but not back up.

Most impressive, all the colors the copper is turning since it is raw

I look forward to how this horn continues to get used to me.

DubbaCTrumpetMSU · 04-16-2007, 06:02 PM

Tony,
Very nice! Glad to hear that the 'honeymoon' is still going strong. I have a feeling it won't end! :) So are you going to change anything on it, or keep it like it is and have it finished? Decided on one yet? :) I'll send you some pics next week-mine should be arriving either later this week or next week sometime...we've got a really close setup-mine won't look a whole lot different than yours. Glad to know it's going great!

Russ

miles71 · 04-20-2007, 11:56 AM

At this point I am liking what the horn is doing and how it is set up. In the final stages we will check things like the gap and some other slide options to make sure it is perfect, but structurally I think the horn is right on. No decision on finish yet, I've still got some time to think and save if I go Gold.

04-10-2007, 06:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
miles71 Piano User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 427	New horn honeymoon, first gig, etc. As you guys know I have just recieved my new Stage 1 Custom and have promised a review. I know these horns are talked about a lot on the forums, but they are very good and should be considered. As always, these are my personal experinces and should not be taken as a prescription to fix all the trumpet problems in the world. anyway... I recieved the Stage 1 5 days ago and have gotten to play it a few times in depth. When I first recieved it I was amazed at how well it was built. The fittings are perfect and the valves are scary good. Mine has a new design for the valve block and it really makes them cook. I thought the modular horn had some good valves, but these are tremendous. All of the slides fit better than anything I have ever tried in the past. I did get two slides and have found, due to the size of the copper bell, the clearance is very close to the bell when switching them out. Not a big deal, I just put a rag over the bell as a precaution when changing them out. The first day I played the horn I was surprised by the life in the horn. It is almost like controling a fire hose. The notes jump out of the bell and, to be honest, I sounded like poop when I first started play the horn. I found out later I was trying to hard and just needed to do what we all need to do.........relax. I didnt really get to play the horn until my easter gig. Yes, it is sometimes dangerous to play a new horn at a gig, but I had to. Not only due to being anxious, but I sold my other Bb to help pay for this one!! Standard Brass Quintet gig in a church. I was worried about my tone and if it would blend, no problem. The Stage 1 fit in like it was meant to be there. (I used the rounded slide for this gig). I did find I was having problems with the top of the staff, D through G, and was cracking notes I dont usually crack. Aside from this the hron played beautifully and I was complimented on my sound. I also heard from my wife several of the congregation where talking about why my horn looked so different than the others, its fun to be noticed The day after I had some time to really play around with this horn. I have always been able to acclimate to a horn quickly, just a stupid thing I can do, but the Stage 1 confused me. I got out the tuner and made some interesting finds. This horn actually plays in tune!!! Yeah, I know, all horns play in tune, its the player who plays in tune, blah blah blah. Well, this one plays the closest in tune for me of any other horn I have played. I was clamming all over the top of the staff because I was trying to adjust. The dreaded fourth partial isn't as flat on this one. The Stage 1 plays right on with the tuner throughout the overtone series. I was also able to record myself in a little room and found the tone to be rich, full, and even in the different registers. This is a fun trumpet. Today I was able play along with my jazz band and the horn continues to impress me. I switched out to the squared nickel slide and the horn just screamed. In a bigger room (a band room of about 2000 sq feet) I could really hear the sound bouncing around. It has a fat quality I am really liking. The sterling silver lead pipe at first seemd to make the horn a bit bright, but in a bigger room it was not bright at all, just big. After my classes I had a planning in which the room was empty. I did some more serious playing with both configurations and was very happy with the results. This Stage 1 is even throughout the registers, plays in tune, has a rich core to the sound that does not lack brillance, and is getting easier to play everytime I pick it up. I know this is the honeymoon phase, but I hope things keep getting better. More to come................ __________________ NYTC Stage 1 Endorsing Artist www.domenicomusic.com

04-10-2007, 07:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
Vulgano Brother Moderator Fortissimo User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Home Posts: 3,230	Re: New horn honeymoon, first gig, etc. Sounds like fun! I'm jealous. It isn't fair. I should be the one with a new horn. __________________ "A tool good enough to be so used and not too good" C.S. Lewis That Hideous Strength www.letsbuildhope.org

04-10-2007, 07:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Principaltrumpet Pianissimo User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: north texas Posts: 147	Re: New horn honeymoon, first gig, etc. Sounds like someone is in love, glad to hear the horn plays as good as it looks! JR __________________ Yamaha "Chicago" C Yamaha "New York" Bb Blessing Eb/D Yamaha 6810S Picc Bach 2C Joshua C. Ritchie http://www.joshuacritchie.com

04-10-2007, 09:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
ozboy Piano User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 323	Re: New horn honeymoon, first gig, etc. I play a French Besson with two tuning slides. i use the square one for more legit gigs and the round one for jazz gigs. It's funny that you seem to use them the other way around (unless I've read incorrectly). I wonder if this is due to the different response from your horn. I find the D shaped tuning slide gives a little more resistance and you get to place notes where the round slide is more open blowing. Sounds like a great trumpet. i've read about them a little but never seen one. I'm envious.

04-10-2007, 10:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
bilboinsa Pianissimo User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 214	Re: New horn honeymoon, first gig, etc. Miles71: I am curious...did you give your horn a bath before playing on it? Others have recommended that to me, and I was wondering if you did this on your new horn. __________________ Doug Walsdorf Schilke B2 Kanstul 1525 1927 Conn 22B New York Symphony "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort."

04-11-2007, 10:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
miles71 Piano User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 427	Re: New horn honeymoon, first gig, etc. I am still experimenting with the slides and am finding the sqaure one growing on me. I am sure the fact it is nickel gives it the zing it has. I did not bathe the horn before I played it, I have found it to be already quite clean and not even much in the valve casings as afr as that grey gunk. __________________ NYTC Stage 1 Endorsing Artist www.domenicomusic.com

04-16-2007, 04:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
miles71 Piano User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 427	Re: New horn honeymoon, first gig, etc. Well, its been about a week since my new horn arrived. I am really starting to find the center of the notes and no longer am having trouble with that fourth partial. I had a chance to play some in a big room today and the tone is ridiculously even from low G below C to High G above High C. The vlaves are amazingly quick and feel wonderful. I havent played better valve action. I am staring to see the benifit of the two slides as well. I can play all the notes on both, but they have sucha a different feel. The rounded has a great core to the sound and a fat quality, the nickel square has the same core, but with a sizzle to it. The rounded is very open and even while the square give you something to push against but not back up. Most impressive, all the colors the copper is turning since it is raw I look forward to how this horn continues to get used to me. __________________ NYTC Stage 1 Endorsing Artist www.domenicomusic.com

04-16-2007, 06:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
DubbaCTrumpetMSU Piano User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North Texas Posts: 335	Re: New horn honeymoon, first gig, etc. Tony, Very nice! Glad to hear that the 'honeymoon' is still going strong. I have a feeling it won't end! :) So are you going to change anything on it, or keep it like it is and have it finished? Decided on one yet? :) I'll send you some pics next week-mine should be arriving either later this week or next week sometime...we've got a really close setup-mine won't look a whole lot different than yours. Glad to know it's going great! Russ __________________ You don't use people to make music--you use music to make people. Bb-Eclipse MR-Scratch Gold, polished accents D/Eb-Blessing... Bach 1 1/2C, 3C, Wedge 3E Recordings of my Senior recital-Comments greatly appreciated!! www.myspace.com/russrobinson021906

04-20-2007, 11:56 AM	#10 (permalink)
miles71 Piano User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 427	Re: New horn honeymoon, first gig, etc. At this point I am liking what the horn is doing and how it is set up. In the final stages we will check things like the gap and some other slide options to make sure it is perfect, but structurally I think the horn is right on. No decision on finish yet, I've still got some time to think and save if I go Gold. __________________ NYTC Stage 1 Endorsing Artist www.domenicomusic.com

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