blower

I began my playing career in an English Brass Band playing several loaned cornets until I got my own Besson. This instrument together with a deep cup mouthpiece gives the typical Brass Band sound which is pure and sweet. I am no longer in a band and have focused on small group jazz, nothing fancy just playing standards for instance in the style of Ruby Braff (hopefully). I began to feel that an American cornet would give me a more authentic sound and I eventually bought a Getzen Eterna with a copper bell, this is a fine instrument (particularly valvewise) but it is still a bit too much like my besson in sound quality even though I have gone to the extreme length of changing my mouthpiece to a slightly shallower model. I have begun to think that maybe the long model cornet is the way to go, Ruby Braff is holding a Bach Strad long model cornet on the cover of an album I have, however during correspondence with an American player and collector he has warned me against buying a Strad for this purpose. I would appreciate your comments, do you agree with him? is a model 37 better than a 52? can you recommend anything else?

TrentAustin

I really love my Bach LB american model cornet for jazz stuff. I also just bought an 1886 Conn Wonder cornet (can't wait to get that!) but I prefer the American cornet for jazz over the Shephard's crooked models. Maybe my Conn (which is crooked :) will change my mind.

Here's a clip of me playing the Bach... it's certianly not Ruby style but I enjoy getting "around" on the horn.

Softly on Wedge 3A - Putfile.com

blower

I enjoyed your clips Austin, I forgot to mention that the main objection my friend had to the Strad was it's 'weak' upper register, comments please. his first three preferred cornets were: Martin committee, Holton and Olds super.

TrentAustin

The upper range on my Cornet is fantastic. I really like the Larger bore on the american model over the ML. I think that makes a big difference.

-T

Jude

Will you be posting clips with the Wonder? I'd really like to hear one being played by a pro. Looking forward to Friday's broadcast.

Dale Proctor

I don't know what's wrong with a Strad long cornet. I've never played one I didn't like. Could be your friend just didn't click with them, but you should try a few locally if you can. They usually sell for a very reasonable price on eBay, if you're into that.

Most of the ones I've played have been ML bores, although I almost bought a large bore one back in the late 80's (couldn't agree on a price). I now own a large bore Strad 184 short model, which is a great cornet. The upper range requires a little more effort than I'd like, but that's probably due to the Wick 4B mouthpiece I use with it.

Disclaimer: I'm a brass band player, not a jazz player....

forrest

I have a Lawler large bore shepherd's crook Cornet and a medium large bore Selmer K-Modified Cornet.

The Lawler has a really big sound, but the Selmer has a sound that I think would be perfect for Jazz. Give one a blow, it's nice and mellow.

Toobz

Don't forget vintage horns either. The old Conn 80A is popular among jazz musicians for it's sound and feel. You can usually find one on Ebay for a couple of hundred. Spend some bucks spiffin it up, and you've got a real gem.