crowmadic

I recently had the opportunity to borrow a '50s Conn Constellation for a couple of weeks. I enjoyed pretending to be Chet Baker. Seriously though, I found it to be a very nice horn to play. But I'm wondering what differences I would find on a '50s Martin Committee, besides feeling like Miles. You realize I say "feeling" not playing. If anyone out there has played both I'd really appreciate your oppinion about the differences between those two..........thanks, crow

oldlou

I hope that Robt. Rowe sees your posting, as he is a 'real' authority on both of these horns. He has a bunch of each.


OLDLOU>>

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francolinni

Yo Crow: Can't tell ya much about Conn's been 30+ years since I played one. Can tell ya this: I got a '55 committee. If I could only own 1 horn............... 'nuff said? Played Conn trump & French horn back then. It's all good dude, buy one of each! Franco

jazz9

I have actually played a Conn Constellation. This was an intermediate horn, but it was way better than my student Bach. It looked great and played great. Sorry, can't say I've played that Martin though.

crowmadic

Thanks for the current responses. I hope there'll be more.....crow

crowmadic

oldlou, I see you're on line, I hope you get this. Is Robert Rowe a TMer? If so, what is his TM name?..........thanks, crow

conncoprion

I owned for a short time a early 60's Connstellation (38B) trumpet, and I currently own a 45' Committee. IMHO, both horns were completely different in both feel and sound. The Connstellation was really bright, with a very solid core. I wish I would have kept it....

The Connstellation's "wrap" was pretty large compared to the Committee (which has a notoriously smaller wrap.) Obviously the Committee is really dark.....not "fat" like the Conn coprions. The Committee's sound which is hard to describe....has "substance" un-like some of my other horns. It's lush, dark, almost "chocolaty." The sound can't be beat.

Both had different slotting differences. The Connstellation hit the note rock- solid every time...very dependable....vs the Committee, which is famous for it's "loose" slotting. (Actually, it didn't take me long to get used to it, and I have very, very little trouble "slotting" wise.)

The Connstellation can also really scream....the Committee takes some "coaxing" if you will. I do hope that Robert Rowe (the AUTHORITY as far as I'm concerned on Committees) chimes in at some point, but I've had several "chats" with him, and as a new Committee owner, I was somewhat baffled at why the Committee seemed "stuffy" in the upper registers..... Robert explained that the Committee almost has a buffer...in other words, it's a horn that you CAN'T force the notes to come out...if you want the higher notes, it'll teach you very quickly to back off....and they notes will come out..............nice and sweet. Once I understood that, the Committee became even more "alive." Yes, the Committee is nice and "chocolaty" in the lower register.....but still can retain the lush, dark sound even on the higher notes....you just have to know how to "treat" the Committee. Like I said earlier...you can do anything you want to the Connstellation....just a different animal all together.



I'm not putting down the Connstellation...like I said earlier I wish I would have kept it. I guess it boils down to what type of playing you'll do, and what sound you're looking for. Both horns are great. Obviously you've already tried a Connstellation.....if you're able to....try to play a Committee, and then go on from there. Hope this helps!

If I could keep one...it would be the Committee..........Hands down!

***EDIT*** Hey Crowe, I just send you a PM with Robert's email...he's a swell guy.

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Dustin

I first played a Connstellation around the middle of last year and I was hooked. My trumpet teacher let me try his, and I didn't want to put it down. Now myself and another one of his students will probably never buy another horn. By the way, not only did Chet Baker play one, but other notables of that instrument are Maynard Ferguson, Blue Mitchell, Lee Morgan (so says my trumpet teacher), Cat Anderson, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, and that's all I can think of right now. Anyways, it's a beautiful instrument, but very different from the Martin Committee.

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nieuwguyski

However, in the '50s Chet Baker played a Committee. He didn't play a Connstellation until decades later.

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Dave Mickley

Chet played many different horns later in life. I was told that he used to pawn his horns for drug money and then would pick up what ever horn was available to perform on. If this info was not accurate please respond. What it really is pointing out is that it is the player - not the horn. Dave

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