graysono

I tried out the Forte in Las Vegas over the weekend. I compared it against several finishes of Conn Vintage Ones and a B&S (the Bach copy?). The Forte blew incredibly open and free and, to me, sounded brighter than the others--all what I was looking for. In addition the price was about a third less than the Conns, though it was silver plated, large belled, and had the Amado water keys. The Forte also seemed to be beautifully built. I was surprised when the dealer told me it was an "intermediate" horn; but, he said, several pros in the area were using it on their gigs. What other horns might I compare this with? Is it worth shooting up a level to the Stomvi Elite? My current (comeback) horn is a Connstellation 36b which seems to "stuff up" a little in the upper registers, though I am playing it with a Schilke 17D4D mpc. Advice on other comparables?

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graysono

1961 Conn Connstellation 36b Trumpet
1953 Conn Victor 80A Cornet
Stomvi Forte Trumpet
Stomvi Elite Flugelhorn
Stomvi Elite Cornet

kadleck

graysono -

I've been playing one full-time for about 5 years. It's a large bore (they only made two, I think), silver plated Forte with a 27 bell. I've tried the Elite, Combi, & Master (worth about $3600), but I think the Forte blows better than all of them. Everyone is different - you may like the Elite better. However, for the money it's hard to beat the Forte. Good luck.

Tony

buccinator

Hey greysono.....

definitely the Stomvi Forte Model is a very good horn. I have one in use ( a C-trumpet ) since about two years, and I can tell you....it's a great horn, silver plated, with gold plated caps and IMPROVED amado water keys...the same fantastic valve section as the Master and Elite series...very good intonation and a bright sound combined with a quick response ( Model 5003, L-bore with a 25 bell ). Even e' and e'' flat is in tune and you don't need any alt. fingerings. I use a JK Exclusive 4 C mouthpiece and it fits well...!!!
When you have a look on the price...it's incredible "customers-friendly"
For ensemble and chamber music my Forte C-trumpet is a very good choice....but you cannot use it for symphonic repertoire, such as Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, Mahler...etc. / ...this is the "battlefield" for my rotary B-flat and C trumpets )

Have a good time,

buccinator

graysono

Tony,
Thanks for your reply. Do you use the Forte for all (the Bb work) you do? I assume as big a sound as it seems to produce, it is great in the pit. But, jazz gigs, particularly small combo work?

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graysono

1961 Conn Connstellation 36b Trumpet
1953 Conn Victor 80A Cornet
Stomvi Forte Trumpet
Stomvi Elite Flugelhorn
Stomvi Elite Cornet

graysono

Buccinator,
Thanks for your reply. It is good to find out that the Forte in C is also a good horn. Seems to me to say something good about the factory's consistency in quality control. I am unlikely to get into symphonic stuff with any horn these days. More likely small group work and some big band providing I can get my chops back.

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graysono

1961 Conn Connstellation 36b Trumpet
1953 Conn Victor 80A Cornet
Stomvi Forte Trumpet
Stomvi Elite Flugelhorn
Stomvi Elite Cornet

kadleck

graysono -

Yes, I use it for everything. It's quite versatile. Although, I do traditionally use two different mouthpieces, depending on the gig. This Stomvi seems at home in many different settings.

Tony