Welcome To The Callet Trumpet Forum!

[Bruce Lee]

Hi, All!

Welcome to the Callet Trumpet Forum!

My days with Jerry Callet go back to 1995, when I bought my first Callet trumpet... a Superchops. Now... I'm still kickin' myself for getting rid of my Burbank Benge, but, Jerry Callet played a big role in helping me to become a better player. I began playing the Callet Jazz and Jazz Flugel, in 1999, and I was an exclusive Callet player for a while.

A year ago, Jerry Callet closed his doors. Jerry has always been a pioneer, in the trumpet world. He has made significant contributions in the trumpet embouchure world, and he also designed a very nice playing trumpet. My friend, Lee Adams, bought the rights to produce the Callet line, realizing that it would be a sad day to see Jerry's work just fade into the sunset. Jerry Callet's infectious energy, and dedication to the trumpet world continues to live on through these trumpets.

If you need a horn that has excellent projection, and a great "extreme" register, Callet's are tough to beat. Current models are the Jazz and the Stratosphere. The Jazz features an expandabore design, where it starts out at .345, in the venturi, and expands to a full .470 bore, as it enters the 3rd valve. The result is more of a conical bore design, with a warm, yet powerful sound. The Jazz is capable of handling any Lead book, and makes a good all-around horn. The Stratosphere is a .460 bore version of the Jazz, and is a much more nimble trumpet... perhaps better suited to small ensemble playing. Like it's big brother, it is also a great all-around horn, capable of handling the Lead book, as well.

One aspect of the Callet trumpets was "borrowed" from the Pre-WWII French Besson Brevete. Like the Brevete, the 3rd valve slide ring is located on the bottom of the slide, and the lower leg of the leadpipe is braced to the upper leg of the 3rd valve slide. This addressed a nodal point on the trumpet, and improved the resonance of the Callet trumpets, by creating more stability, with that type of bracing. Known as the "third valve conversion", it made a significant difference on the Callet trumpets.

I think that I covered a good bit of background, and hopefully provided some better understanding of a product that has earned its place in the trumpet world.

I look forward to sharing ideas with all of you!

Best always,
Bruce

NOTE: It was one month ago, that the TM Forum opened. All threads from the previous "Home of the Master" were moved here on 11/10/03

[johnny2pipe]

good to hear such positive energy about the callet horns. i was and artist/clinician for callet in the 80's (over 10 years) and played the original callet horns also got to play the prototype "soloist" (called superchops now because of an infringement entanglement) jazz/symphonique and jazz flugels. he used to stay at my house when i produced the clinics in atlanta. i introduced lee to the callet horns back in the day (he might have some of john reid mouthpieces hanging around the shop still.....aaaahhh another story) and it is good to see that it is contuning. jerry really had a unique way to get those horns to play upstairs and i think he never got the kudos he deserved thumbs up for keeping it alive

[Schwab]

This thread is 4 years old. Unfortunately, I don't think Callet trumpets are being made any longer.

[rowuk]

If you want this "type" of horn, talk to Felix at NYTC. He knows so many custom builders that may be able to take this design and run with it! With so many horns in the line-up, he may even have a worthy substitute without taking the "custom" chance!

[miles71]

Actually, I believe something is already in the works at NYTC.

[ALLCHOPS]

Originally Posted by miles71

Actually, I believe something is already in the works at NYTC.

I've already played it... It has a Bauerfeind Valve Section...

TG

[miles71]

I believe he had it at my show in Md., Didnt get much time on it but it had a nice first impression.