Wild Thing in Van Nuys, CA

ernieo2 · 01-13-2005, 02:56 PM

I posted this on Jan 09 but it got erased during the last downtime so I am re-posting:

The Wild Thing is now in Van Nuys, California which is a suburb of Los Angeles. This will be the second to last stop with the next and final one in Riverside, CA.

First just a bit about me. I do not play in any band, group, combo, etc…but just at home for my own enjoyment. I previously played for over 11 years and have been a comeback player for over one year now. I enjoy playing the trumpet more than I ever did in my “youth” and I practice every day and have been doing so for the entire comeback time. I also took some lessons to make sure I got restarted on the right track. I stopped playing at the age of 22 and am now 68. That probably makes me the oldest player on the wild thing list but I enjoy playing the trumpet more than I ever did in my “youth” and I practice every day and have been doing so for the entire comeback time.

In the past year I have acquired 6 horns, four trumpets and 2 cornets, none of them new. My main trumpet is a 1966 Olds Recording in excellent condition and main Cornet is a 1951 Olds Recording. One month ago I took both of them to Bob Reeves for a valve alignment. Enough about me, just wanted to give a little background. Since I have had zilch experience in testing any other new horns and am by no means a professional my review will obviously be a bit limited.

What a thrill to open the case and see that beautiful Wild Thing. The first “new” horn I have picked up in over 45 years. My first impression was how light it was compared to my Olds, which is much heavier. The #2 slide was in when I picked it up so I went through some warm up exercises and scales, then did the same with the #1 slide. I liked the #2 slide the best as, at least for me; the #1 seemed to require more air. A few others mentioned they thought the valves were noisy because of the metal guides, but I didn’t notice that at all. Of course, my Olds being a vintage horn also has metal guides so guess I’m just used to them. I played the Wild Thing for about 1 hr on Thurs and Friday evenings.

Saturday and Sunday I had the Wild Thing out all day. I would play ½ hr, rest ½ hr and did this throughout the complete day. I got more used to the #1 slide and now I prefer that. I really enjoyed my time with this horn. I really don’t know the bore size of my Olds, but the Wild Thing was easier to play and I thought it had less resistance. It slots well and no matter what register I used it was easy to play. The valves are very fast and I loved the response I got from this horn plus it added a few notes to my range.

Thank you Tom and Flip for giving me the opportunity to play this wonderful trumpet. I would recommend the Wild Thing to anyone.

ernieo2 · 01-23-2005, 07:14 PM

Now that the tour is over it would be interesting to find out the ages of all those who were on the Wild Thing tour. I'm probably the oldest at 68. How about the rest of you who were on the tour?

W Scott · 01-23-2005, 07:41 PM

I'm 44....

bigaggietrumpet · 01-23-2005, 07:41 PM

tom turner · 01-23-2005, 11:50 PM

Hi participants!

Thanks again for participating in the Wild Ride Tour. It would be great if everyone would log in to answer Ernie's question.

E-MAILS FROM FLIP

I've gotten a couple of e-mails from Flip that will be interesting, and educational, to ALL readers, not just participants. He wrote 'em to me this weekend after getting the horn back and completely going through it again:
____________________

Flip wrote:

Quote:

"Hi Tom,

I have gone through the tour horn, and to tell you the truth, I was amazed not only how well the horn held up, but to the care all of the players gave the horn. With the exception of the bell dent, that looked as if a mpc. Had been dropped on the bell, while someone was switching mpcs. The horn looked GREAT !!

I really mean that. All of the guys who had it should sincerely be commended on their taking care of it.. I cleaned it with hot soap and water, but to be truthful, it really didn’t even need that. I didn’t even polish the horn, I just wiped it down after the bath and the re done valve alignment.

The valve alignment as well, really surprised me. With the exception of the 3rd. Valve which was only out .010” ( 3 sheets of thin writing stationary paper )the rest were pretty close as I mentioned before. I have seen (brand name deleted) be out as much as .083” from (brand name deleted) . I know, I have re done the alignments. Anywhere from .005 + or – is acceptable really, although I like for them to really be on. I have marked the inside top caps, as to the correct spacer ( washer, felt, etc.) size to be used for them to be spot on.

I want to congratulate you on the actual doing and the logistics of this tour, without your doing it, it would not have been possible. Good luck in selling the horn, someone should be very happy....

I’ll ship it to you on Monday. Which address would you like it to be sent to?

All The Best,

Flip"

In a second e-mail this weekend, Flip wrote:

Quote:

"Hi Tom,

Yes, I repaired the bell, it’s looks pretty good because it’s so close to the bell bead, and the brass is so thin the closer you get to the bead, it stretches the brass some, and makes the repair more difficult, especially when your not going to be re-plating the repair. All in all it looks fine, but not perfect.

This will make someone a very nice instrument!

If I were you I would make up a certificate, for this horn to be given away with it, and it’s tour history. This horn in it’s self has a lot of history behind it. It has traveled further then many of it’s players ever will, and if it could tell a story, I bet bet it would have volumes to say....

The links for this tour can be found at: http://www.flipoakes.com/wt_tour.htm

Most of them are there.......

Thanks For Everything...

Sincerely,

Flip"

___________________

I want to add my appreciation and admiration to a great bunch of folks who did what they said they would do and made this tour a success.

I'll be getting the horn back in about a week and then will entertain the sale of the most traveled Wild Thing around! Someone will be getting a great deal on a horn with quite a story!

Sincerely,

Tom Turner

W Scott · 01-24-2005, 01:55 AM

You know, I just wonder if this has ever been done with a horn before?!

I'm glad to hear that the horn made it home, safe and sound. What a shame that the Stage One horn from New York has apparently been lost.

The W.T. tour horn was well taken care of and several of us gave it a very good bath. Someone is going to have many years of enjoyment playing this beautiful horn---congrats to you!

pwillini · 01-24-2005, 05:36 PM

I'm 43..

Tom,

If my rich uncle in the poor farm dies soon I'll send you some money for that horn!!! Thanks, again, for letting me try it! I know now that when I replace my Blessing I have to look no further than Flip's shop to get the best sounding silver-plated horn I've ever played! Someone is going to be very happy when you sell this well-travelled and,thankfully, well cared for horn.

Greg5850 · 01-27-2005, 10:55 PM

I am 55. I bought a WT and am currently in love!

01-13-2005, 02:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
ernieo2 New Friend Join Date: May 2004 Location: Van Nuys, California Posts: 12	Wild Thing in Van Nuys, CA I posted this on Jan 09 but it got erased during the last downtime so I am re-posting: The Wild Thing is now in Van Nuys, California which is a suburb of Los Angeles. This will be the second to last stop with the next and final one in Riverside, CA. First just a bit about me. I do not play in any band, group, combo, etc…but just at home for my own enjoyment. I previously played for over 11 years and have been a comeback player for over one year now. I enjoy playing the trumpet more than I ever did in my “youth” and I practice every day and have been doing so for the entire comeback time. I also took some lessons to make sure I got restarted on the right track. I stopped playing at the age of 22 and am now 68. That probably makes me the oldest player on the wild thing list but I enjoy playing the trumpet more than I ever did in my “youth” and I practice every day and have been doing so for the entire comeback time. In the past year I have acquired 6 horns, four trumpets and 2 cornets, none of them new. My main trumpet is a 1966 Olds Recording in excellent condition and main Cornet is a 1951 Olds Recording. One month ago I took both of them to Bob Reeves for a valve alignment. Enough about me, just wanted to give a little background. Since I have had zilch experience in testing any other new horns and am by no means a professional my review will obviously be a bit limited. What a thrill to open the case and see that beautiful Wild Thing. The first “new” horn I have picked up in over 45 years. My first impression was how light it was compared to my Olds, which is much heavier. The #2 slide was in when I picked it up so I went through some warm up exercises and scales, then did the same with the #1 slide. I liked the #2 slide the best as, at least for me; the #1 seemed to require more air. A few others mentioned they thought the valves were noisy because of the metal guides, but I didn’t notice that at all. Of course, my Olds being a vintage horn also has metal guides so guess I’m just used to them. I played the Wild Thing for about 1 hr on Thurs and Friday evenings. Saturday and Sunday I had the Wild Thing out all day. I would play ½ hr, rest ½ hr and did this throughout the complete day. I got more used to the #1 slide and now I prefer that. I really enjoyed my time with this horn. I really don’t know the bore size of my Olds, but the Wild Thing was easier to play and I thought it had less resistance. It slots well and no matter what register I used it was easy to play. The valves are very fast and I loved the response I got from this horn plus it added a few notes to my range. Thank you Tom and Flip for giving me the opportunity to play this wonderful trumpet. I would recommend the Wild Thing to anyone.

01-23-2005, 07:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
W Scott Piano User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Carson City, NV. Posts: 490	I'm 44.... __________________ Gabriel is NOT a woodwind player!

01-23-2005, 07:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
bigaggietrumpet Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: College Station,TX Posts: 814	20 __________________ Michael Smith Hullabaloo: The official band of Texas A&M Basketball Kanstul 1537/ Schilke 14 LA Olds Studio

01-24-2005, 01:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
W Scott Piano User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Carson City, NV. Posts: 490	You know, I just wonder if this has ever been done with a horn before?! I'm glad to hear that the horn made it home, safe and sound. What a shame that the Stage One horn from New York has apparently been lost. The W.T. tour horn was well taken care of and several of us gave it a very good bath. Someone is going to have many years of enjoyment playing this beautiful horn---congrats to you! __________________ Gabriel is NOT a woodwind player!

01-24-2005, 05:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
pwillini Pianissimo User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 135	I'm 43.. Tom, If my rich uncle in the poor farm dies soon I'll send you some money for that horn!!! Thanks, again, for letting me try it! I know now that when I replace my Blessing I have to look no further than Flip's shop to get the best sounding silver-plated horn I've ever played! Someone is going to be very happy when you sell this well-travelled and,thankfully, well cared for horn. __________________ Music's only purpose should be the glory of God and the recreation of the human spirit - J. S. Bach 2004 ZeuS Olympus ARLX 1976 Bach 37 Strad 1990 Blessing ML1-G Artist Edition 1917 Conn Victor New Wonder Cornet

01-23-2005, 07:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
ernieo2 New Friend Join Date: May 2004 Location: Van Nuys, California Posts: 12	Now that the tour is over it would be interesting to find out the ages of all those who were on the Wild Thing tour. I'm probably the oldest at 68. How about the rest of you who were on the tour?

01-27-2005, 10:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
Greg5850 New Friend Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: WI Posts: 47	I am 55. I bought a WT and am currently in love!

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