Schilkeman

I realize that these are quite different horns in many regards but just wondering if there are any thoughts out there as to which might work better in my playing situation or is it just a wash, with either working?

I would be using the horn in a band that plays R&B, Funk, Old Rockibily and Swing. I am the only trumpet with one other Sax.

I have played the X-3 in question. It's different than stock in that it has a braced tuning slide, which I would think, would help with core and slotting and it uses Amado instead of standard water keyes. I really enjoyed the way that it plays. Could have had a wee bit more resistance but not anything that I couldn't adjust to.

The Scodwell on the other hand, I haven't played but have heard that it was an excellent playing trumpet. And, I really haven't read any negative comments, of the ones that I have been able to find.

Also, great comments concerning the Wild Thing trumpet but again, I have no experience with this horn.

Any thoughts or opinions out there concerning these three horns, as to which might be better in my situation? Thanks!

patdublc

Those are all great horns, but you'll just have to try them all to figure out which ones really work for you. I own a Scodwell and have spent plenty of time on both the X3 (stock) and a Wild Thing. The Scodwell has an odd shape where the mouthpipe extends further beyond the bell bow. This causes it to not fit in many cases. You can find one on Ebay from time to time or purchase them at Chuck Levins Washington Music.
I took my Scodwell to a big band gig last night where I was playing lead. I ended up doing the whole show on my 8310Z. That's noy unusual for me because I feel very comfortable on the Z.
The Scodwell has a very focused and piercing projection. That makes it well suited for large groups where you need to be able to cut through. It is also a very "active" horn in that you can actually feel some vibrations. I believe that this is because there is no brace post between the 2nd valve casing and the bell. It makes the horn feel more alive.
The Scodwell is not what I would call a lightweight horn. It feels like a standard weight Bach in your hands. The only reason that I don't play it more on gigs is that I've never gotten used to the resistance on the horn. It doesn't work well if you over play it. You really need to back off and let it do the work. The net effect for me is that I tend to split too many notes on it.

pat

Schilkeman

Pat, that is just the kind of information I was looking for. I appreciate your response. Do you have an opinion on the other two trumpets mentioned, the Schilke or the Wild Thing, in my playing situation?

Also any other inputs would be also appreciated. Thanks!

Dave Mickley

here in Indy we have a very good player who switched to a Scodwell several years ago and in "my" opinion his sound really improved. He always sounded good but now it has that "pro" quality to it. I really can't explain what I am trying to say but that horn really works for him. Dave

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patdublc

My best description of the X3 is exactly what Schilke says about it - even from top to bottom. It is a really nice horn. Great players like Arturo Sandoval have played on this horn. In the Schilke line, I'm kind of partial to a couple of the brighter B-series horns like the B3. But, that is just me. The X3 is fairly free blowing horn and can be a very good around trumpet. For what you're looking for, it might be great.
The Wild Thing is more of an anomaly to me. I really don't know how to describe it other than to say it is worth consideration. It can peel the paint on a lead style solo or melt the butter on a sweet ballad. Arturo recently switched to a Wild Thing. If you're interested, go to the website and contact Flip. The last time I emailed him, he responded very quickly.
Tom Turner hangs around this forum some and is a Wild Thing enthusiast. He provides some excellent insight into many topics. I'd encourage you to PM him for some more information. Check out this post by Tom -
http://www.trumpetmaster.com/vb/f139...pet-35718.html (Arturo Sandoval LeBlanc Trumpet)

Of course, these are just my observations and lots of other opinions abound. Try them all and see what you like. I'm on a quest to own them all. I just need to win that lottery................

pat

bikelawyer

I've had my WIld Things [Bb & C] for a couple years now and absolutely love it. There's definitely a learning curve as you have to rethink how you blow air through the horn. I'm not a pro by any means, just a damn lawyer who has tried to keep up his lead chops from high school/college up and running as the years have worn on. I play some jazz, but mostly blues and classic rock today. The WT is the best horn I've ever played - but, again, I played the same large bore 1964 Bach from 1973 - 2003 and tinkered with a few others in the process! It's got a huge bore but blows through the lower to upper register as sweetly or as wildly as you want. I blow a Monette BL mouthpiece, but Flip is very partial to his own line, oddly enough... ;^)

I bought both horns used. When I knew I was going to California, I wrote FLip and he invited me to his "shop" - which I learned, upon arrival, was his basement! He was incredibly accommodating as he checked out my Bb [I hadn't bought the C yet] and was intrigued as to why the previous owner had tried to strip the lacquer off - I think this was even before he offered one in raw brass. Flip was great to work with and has always been very prompt in replying to email inquiries. We ended up showing up at his gig later that night and got to watch him blow the roof off on his gold WT.

The WT is NOT a horn which you can borrow for a set to try out - you need to work with it a bit. Flip used to have a "Try Before You Buy" program - I haven't checked the site recently to see if that's still around.

Alan Chez, from Letterman's band, was one of the "big names" who registered their accolades with Flip. I hadn't heard that Arturo was using it... that's very cool...

ANyway, don't know if that helps, but that's my 2cents... try it - but read about it first and try it for more than a few tunes...

Steve Magas

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Steve Magas
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