Phil Kersh

I have recently joined a British Brass Band and have been searching for a good cornet for the gig. Currently I am playing a L bore Yamaha 233S that doesn't seem to blend well with the rest of the section. The other musicians are playing on Besson Sovereign 928, a few Lawler cornets, a ZeuS Copper Bell cornet, and a Bach Strad 184 ML. Since my experience is mainly with orchestral playing with a Bach L 229H Malone conversion + Monette C 1/2, I could really use some educated feedback from those that have an opinion about shepherd's crook cornets and what they consider good vs. bad.

Any and all comments are welcome as I am looking into all options at this time.

Richard Oliver

Phil, what mouthpiece you using?

rowuk

The Besson is more or less the sound "standard". The Yamaha that you own is a basic student model.
There is a pretty good spread of instruments in your band. See if you can play all of the various models. Most players are convinced that they made the right choice and will try to "help" you make exactly the same decision......

After you have tried all of those horns out, post your impressions. We could just have some additional feedback. I would prefer to wait to hear what YOU have to say first!

Sterling

If you like your Bach C, try the Bach 184 ML. I play on a 184L with a Monette Prana B6 flumpet/cornet mouthpiece. It is a fun horn. Shepherd's crook cornets are nice because the bell is much closer to your ears. The compactness of the cornet makes it a really good alternative to a pocket trumpet.

Phil Kersh

The cornet mouthpiece I am using is a Sparx 2B Soloist

SparxMusic.com - Cornet Mouthpieces and Brass Accessories

Richard Oliver

Cool. Use a Wick here, but my guess is your Stork is in the same end of the pool. Neat. Get that proper cornet sound :) Phyllis Stork is so nice too. Guys in your section not using C cups, right?

Robin's advice is so spot on. Play 'em all. A good friend of mine loves his 184. I did run into a surprise that had a bearing on me getting a Getzen 3850 a year or more ago. The price Chuck Levin's Washington Music Store gave me. At least worth checking with them as the search shakes out. Keep us apprised.

The UK Brass Forum has a ton of helpful folks on it too. They all "corneted-up" over there.

lmf

Phil,

You might as well follow the suggestion of going to a Denis Wick mouthpiece first. The #4 is considered to be the "perfect" mouthpiece for cornet according to the Denis Wick website. However, not all cornet players like DW mouthpieces. More traditional mouthpieces similar to DW (or other brands) are cheaper than a new cornet. That change alone may help you blend better.

British Bands do seem to prefer cornets with a shepherd's crook. I have a long cornet and a shepherd crook model. The latter probably sounds better for international brass banding, but others may disagree.

Sounds like you are having fun in the band.

Best wishes!

Lloyd

Dale Proctor

I'll make a plug for the Bach 184. I play a large bore 184G in a brass band and really like it. I use a Wick 4B mouthpiece. You said one of the people in your band plays a 184 - any chance they would let you try it out for part of a rehearsal, or during a break? I've played a great Besson Prestige, and upper-level Getzens are also popular cornets in our band, so those would probably be good choices, too.

Can't resist a photo op.....

screamingmorris

Beware!
If you look closely you will see an upside down leprechaun lurking inside the bell of that cornet!

.

Dale Proctor

Man, that gold brass bell opening is where you find the end of the rainbow, the pot of gold, the pinnacle of cornet sound treasure......

There may even be a Lucky Charm or two caught in there somewhere......