Rocketman

Anyone have any experience with the Van Cleave piccs? I see they have a model MVP2 with rotary valves. How might this model compare with Schilke or Stomvi? Thanks-Ken B.

Rocketman

So, does no one have any knowledge on this? How about any experience with Van Cleave trumpets? Thanks!

Vulgano Brother

Not knowing anything about Van Cleave instruments, I checked out his website. It appears that his piccolo is designed for the non-piccolo player, whatever that is. Having never played one of his instruments, I can't tell if they are any good or not, however, I can't imagine a piccolo that doesen't play like one will really sound like one. The Schilke P5-4 is generally considered user-friendly, and many mostly Bb players like the Kanstul and old Bessons. Good luck with your search.

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Rocketman

Thanks for your comments. As I understand it, the reasoning behind the VC picc is to have a horn that doesn't blow so different from a trumpet but yet have the picc sound. So, for someone who plays the picc just occasionally, the adjustment from trumpet is easier. At any rate, that was the thought that intrigued me and is the reason I am trying to learn more about it. If I don't get that warm fuzzy feeling about the VC, I'm going to look at the more conventional piccs like Schilke and Stomvi. Thanks again-Ken B.

trumpetnick

There is many more besides schilke and stomvi at present....why limit yourself to them? Scherzer, Thein, Schagerl, Kanstul, Spada, Lechner, F. Besson and many others...They have all awesome piccs..try as many as you can

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Spada Bach B flat 72, leadpipe 2L/DWMM1.5C
Spada Bach C 256, leadpipe 2LQ/DWMM1.5C
1956 Olds Ambassador Cornet
Spada Custom Piccolo

If you don't know where you are going, you 'll end up someplace else

tatakata

I can't give you anything on his trumpets - never played em. But as a potential customer you should know he has a horrible reputation as a businessman. You will find many posts on the net about his practice books. Checks chased but good never received. Not the kind of person I would do business with. Especially on a "big ticket" item like a new horn

Phil Rinaldi

Rocketman-

My name is Phil Rinaldi, I am a professional trumpet player in the New York City area. I am an artist rep for Van Cleave Trumpets. To read about my experiences with Van Cleave Trumpets, go to:

http://www.trumpetmaster.com/vb/f139...ets-32881.html (My Experiences with Van Cleave Trumpets)

As far as the piccolos go, none of them have the final, final stamp of approval from Mark to go onto the market. We did have three designs and five total piccolos at ITG, but decided not to release them yet.

I have played the piccolos and Vulgano Brother is correct in his synopsis that they are meant to be more user friendly to the non-piccolo player. What we mean by "non-piccolo player" is for all of us non-Maurice Andre players. I play the piccolo on a as needed basis. That is the type of player these initial piccolos are being designed for. I hope this makes sense.

As far as the books go, while I am not Mark, I can tell you that any problems, real or imagined, are not malicious. You are more than welcome to E-Mail me personally and while I cannot promise anything, I will do my best to try and straighten things out. If you do E-Mail, please have specifics, as many people have already been caught flat out lying about buying the books and perpetuating the problem.

Also, the horns are only available for purchase through retail stores. No direct sales will be made.

__________________
Peace,

Phil Rinaldi

Trumpet Player in the New York City Area
Owner; Rinaldi Entertainment, L.L.C.
Artist Representative; Van Cleave Trumpets, L.L.C.

stchasking

I played Van Cleave trumpets at U Mass ITG. I spent quite a lot of time talking to Mark. I have his trumpet brochure on my desk in front of me. I liked his pocket trumpet. For that matter he lead me through his various trumpets until I got to one I liked. He is a very personable man and he can play the horn he builds. I think he used to work for Bach then went out on his own.

He works out of Fort Wayne, Indiana so for me it will be a short drive to try his horns. He told me it was ok to make arrangements to come over and blow. He didn't mind me using Schilke as a comparison.

Incidentally, I own a Yamaha YTR9830 and I really like it. Wilmer owns one, also.

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"I was performing professionally at age 17 and have never had a real job." Allen Vizzutti

http://cdbaby.com/cd/mcking

Rocketman

Thanks very much Phil. It's great to hear from someone directly involved. Like you, I would be playing picc on an as-needed basis and that probably wouldn't be all that often. Do you have any idea of when the piccs will be released? Thanks again!

tatakata

Rocketman you might look into finding a used Getzen pic. Very good horns for the price and play like a bigger horn in my opinion.