JDay

Hi all,

I am curious about what differences there are on horns that are considered to have a "large bore". I have been playing a '59 Silvertone 200 which is a stencil of a Blessing Super Artist. As I understand it, it has a .468 bore, and would be considered a large bore trumpet. Any thoughts on how this would compare to large bore horns of today?

I have read that the bore size does not always a factor in how a horn plays, but I am interested in hearing some feedback in general terms if any apply. I certainly enjoy playing the Silvertone, and do not intend on replacing it soon. (Though a friend has offered to give me his '61 Olds Recording.)

Thanks for your time, and Happy Holidays!

burgerbob

Someone offered you a free Recording? If you don't take him up on that, I might. The .468 is still considered a very large bore, and in some cases, leads to a difficult horn to play, as it will just take your air away. If you don't have super trouble playing your Silvertone (is that a King?) then keep it.

JDay

The Silvertone 200 is a Sears label trumpet that was built by Blessing. It is modeled after the Blessing Super Artist, and is identical down to the engraving pattern on the bell. (Except for the sears label instead of the Blessing label.) It is my understanding that Clifford Brown used a Blessing Super Artist, and that my horn should be very similar to that.

Suprisingly the horn does not seem to be hard to play at all, it is more flexible than an old student Getzen 300 I have, and seems to be more responsive as well. Which in part is why I ask the question. I have very briefly played a friends Wild Thing, but not recently or in comparison with the Silvertone (yet). I guess I am just trying to better understand myself, and which horns work best for me.

As to the Olds, he is not absolutely sure which model it is, though it has the pull ring lever style 3rd valve trigger, which I think was only available on a few Olds horns. (The Recording and the Mendez, though there certainly could be others as I do not know much about Olds horns.) I have not played any Olds horns before, but have read/heard good things so I am certainly anxious to see what it is!

Cheers!

Jack

burgerbob

One thing that will usually make a large bore easier to play is a smaller mouthpiece to balance the vacuum cleaner qualities of the horn. What piece are you using on it?

JDay

I am mostly playing on a Curry 3M / 3C and a Monette B4S prana.

burgerbob

Which should all be good pieces. I'm glad you can manage, i have played a couple really big bore horns, and I couldn't play them worth a darn... Not that I can anyways. Keep up the playing, and as long as you are happy with that horn, then why get another, unless something blows you away?

derekkress

The secret to playing a free blowing horn is not to over blow. You have to let the horn work itself. We are so caught up with the sound we want to hear "in the section" as opposed to what should be heard 20-40-60-100 feet away.Unfortunately I never had the chance to play next to one of my heroes Arnie Chykowski(lead for Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass), but knowing the players who played with him they will tell you that no one in that section tried to play "loud" . Instead worked very hard at blending, balance etc... and let their equipment sing.I've learned over the years to relax and concentrate on the "focus" part of my playing , to project my sound forward instead of outward as in tune as possible with as many overtones as possible. No one equipment is suited for everybody but an open blowing horn has in my opinion more advantages than disadvantages!And I play a large mouthpiece, equivalent 1 1/2 C bach

bandman

I just got rid of my last large bore horn. It a Bach with a large bore and a 43 bell. I loved that horn when I was younger as it had a free blow, but was not "too big" to be able to play. As I go older, and went through some health issues that horn turned into a Mack truck. I just could not puch enough air to play it any longer.

I'm a different player than I was 5-7 years ago, and a very different player than I was 25-30 years ago. As time has changed so have my needs in an instrument.

My point is that you have to play the horn and see if it works for you. We don't know you, not do we know your playing style and habilts. Also, a Large bore from one company and a large bore from a different company may hav a totally different blow. Give them a try and see what you think -- then practice practice practice!

tatakata

Bb go medium bore. C trumpet go Large bore. works for most people IMO

oldlou

I used my York Airflow cornet on an unusual gig last Thursday. I played lead trumpet/cornet in a six piece brass ensemble to accompany a thirty voice chorale, singing Christmas carols in each of the ten Herman Miller furniture plants here in Western Michigan. I picked the Airflow because of its super sweet tone and easy blow. It is a horn that measures .475 in the i.d. of the second valve crook, using an original York 41 1/2 mouthpiece, which is a rather deep, large throated cup bowl mouthpiece. At the end of the day I was still reaching up to the A above the staff cleanly and with good tone, and received many compliments from other trumpeters who worked in the various plants. I am a very fat 71 year old man with a severe heart condition and had absolutely no problem with running out of air.


I would have used a virtual twin to your Sears Silvertone, my York Master Model, probably made by Blessing as well, but, it is down in Tallahassee, Fla. having the valves replated and fitted. I am most anxious to see that one back 'home'.


OLDLOU>>