Step Bore design

skuni · 02-09-2007, 06:21 PM

Can anyone describe the advantages/disadvantages of a step bore design like the Yamaha 8310Z or Lawler C7?

Thanks for any input!

rowuk · 02-10-2007, 08:52 AM

The "advantage" is only relevant to those horns. It can have various effects. You can use the steps to improve intonation, you can also use it to make an otherwise "stuffy" note clearer. Sometimes it is advertised as a way to make a medium bore instrument sound more like a large bore.

It is just another combination of the possible design philosophies that aren't better or worse than other well designed combinations, but give something for the marketing people to talk about! If you get a chance, play the horns and tell us what you experienced. I played a silver plated one - it sounds almost like a Xeno. Like every Yamaha instrument I have ever played, it was in tune and easy enough to play. The sound was nice, a little too aggressive for my personal preference.

The ads say greater spectrum of color, excellent intonation, easy blow - don't all trumpet ads claim this?

The only real specification that is worth registering is: what comes out of the bell when I play it?!

Tootsall · 02-10-2007, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowuk

The only real specification that is worth registering is: what comes out of the bell when I play it?!

Right on!

Dave Mickley · 02-10-2007, 11:32 AM

I played a friends C7 and I had to throw all my mis-conceptions of what a step horn played like out the window. The horn blew just like my horn but with a real nice tone and I did not have to lip it in tune. If I didn't know it was a "step bore" I would not have had any idea that it was, it just played like a fine horn. Dave

Brekelefuw · 02-10-2007, 11:57 AM

What is a step bore design?

rowuk · 02-10-2007, 03:59 PM

A normal bored instrument has a leadpipe with a smooth flare and essentially the same bore size from the tuning slide to the bell. A stepped bore instrument can have a leadpipe with a stepped flare, a smaller bore on the top of the tuning slide than on the bottom, and even possibly another step going into or out of the valve cluster.

Brekelefuw · 02-10-2007, 04:02 PM

So does that mean that it is more like a conical instrument?

rowuk · 02-10-2007, 04:33 PM

Technically yes, but the results are not usually a darker more horn like sound. The brilliance seems to be maintained at least on the stepped bore instruments that I have played. If I am not mistaken, the Claude Gordon Benge was also stepped.
I think that having various sized cylindrical sections moves the nodes (high pressure zones) in the instrument. That could affect the intonation and blow of certain notes.

02-09-2007, 06:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
skuni Piano User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Brand: Lawler C7 Posts: 260	Step Bore design Can anyone describe the advantages/disadvantages of a step bore design like the Yamaha 8310Z or Lawler C7? Thanks for any input!

02-10-2007, 08:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
rowuk Moderator Fortissimo User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Brand: Nat, Piston, Rotary Posts: 3,923	Re: Step Bore design The "advantage" is only relevant to those horns. It can have various effects. You can use the steps to improve intonation, you can also use it to make an otherwise "stuffy" note clearer. Sometimes it is advertised as a way to make a medium bore instrument sound more like a large bore. It is just another combination of the possible design philosophies that aren't better or worse than other well designed combinations, but give something for the marketing people to talk about! If you get a chance, play the horns and tell us what you experienced. I played a silver plated one - it sounds almost like a Xeno. Like every Yamaha instrument I have ever played, it was in tune and easy enough to play. The sound was nice, a little too aggressive for my personal preference. The ads say greater spectrum of color, excellent intonation, easy blow - don't all trumpet ads claim this? The only real specification that is worth registering is: what comes out of the bell when I play it?!
	__________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

02-10-2007, 11:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dave Mickley Piano User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 375	Re: Step Bore design I played a friends C7 and I had to throw all my mis-conceptions of what a step horn played like out the window. The horn blew just like my horn but with a real nice tone and I did not have to lip it in tune. If I didn't know it was a "step bore" I would not have had any idea that it was, it just played like a fine horn. Dave
	__________________ formerly known as old geezer Dave C7 Yam. 231 Fl. 15383 King Master Cornet 295628 Weril Cornet Lo 7535

02-10-2007, 11:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
Brekelefuw Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 897	Re: Step Bore design What is a step bore design?

02-10-2007, 03:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
rowuk Moderator Fortissimo User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Brand: Nat, Piston, Rotary Posts: 3,923	Re: Step Bore design A normal bored instrument has a leadpipe with a smooth flare and essentially the same bore size from the tuning slide to the bell. A stepped bore instrument can have a leadpipe with a stepped flare, a smaller bore on the top of the tuning slide than on the bottom, and even possibly another step going into or out of the valve cluster.
	__________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

02-10-2007, 04:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Brekelefuw Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 897	Re: Step Bore design So does that mean that it is more like a conical instrument?

02-10-2007, 04:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
rowuk Moderator Fortissimo User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Brand: Nat, Piston, Rotary Posts: 3,923	Re: Step Bore design Technically yes, but the results are not usually a darker more horn like sound. The brilliance seems to be maintained at least on the stepped bore instruments that I have played. If I am not mistaken, the Claude Gordon Benge was also stepped. I think that having various sized cylindrical sections moves the nodes (high pressure zones) in the instrument. That could affect the intonation and blow of certain notes.
	__________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

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