Olds L-12 + Melk

Dale Proctor · 07-21-2009, 11:07 AM

Just bought a leadpipe from Charlie Melk for my L-12. It arrived yesterday and I tried it out a little last night with positive results. I'd like to hear impressions from anyone else who's bought one of his leadpipes for an Olds L-12 flugelhorn. I have some initial thoughts on it, but I'd like to hear what others say before I elaborate.

heck99 · 07-21-2009, 03:17 PM

I have an L-12, but I wasn't aware of any leadpipes being made for them. Are they on his website or just special order? I would love to get one for my L-12. I'm curious too to hear some reviews on them. I'm considering having mine restored, as it has been through much wear and tear over the years. I can't complain though, I got it for $25 at a local garage sale.

-heck

Dale Proctor · 07-21-2009, 03:33 PM

Charlie makes one for the Olds L-12 and Clark Terry models, as well as for Couesnon flugels and a couple of others - look on his site under "Newest Products". It ain't cheap at $125 (more than twice what I paid for the horn itself

), but I'm sure the investment is worth it. I had mine overhauled a few years ago and it looks like new. I wanted it to play as good as it looks.

ChopsGone · 07-21-2009, 03:47 PM

I don't have his pipe in either of my L-12's yet, but it's high on the list of things to do based on how well the one he put in a vintage Boosey flugelhorn works. He promised better response and a bit warmer tone, and he delivered - much more improvement in the response than I would have ever imagined.

heck99 · 07-21-2009, 06:02 PM

Wow that L-12 looks absolutely fantastic. I'm curious, how much did the overhaul run you? I'm not sure how yours looked before the overhaul, but mine looks to need quite some cosmetic work.

Dale Proctor · 07-21-2009, 06:24 PM

Mine wasn't too beat-up, but the lacquer was terrible. I think I paid about $250, but that was 6 or 8 years ago. I'd guess about $325 now for the same work. I need to take some better pics of it...

hixsta · 10-12-2009, 02:57 AM

Just received a Melk pipe and I am impressed, not only does it speak easier but the sound is much more full and intonation is easier to control. Usually nothing above A sounds any good on most vintage flugels and this OLDS L-12 is no exception but with the Melk pipe top B sounds just as sweet!
I am amazed at the difference a little pipe can make, how do they do it?

Being overseas I always struggle for good customer service with bigger companies but the guys at GR tech kept in touch all the way a well as answered all my questions.
I am so in love with my 1970s OLDS L-12, like a proud father!

Dale Proctor · 10-12-2009, 10:36 AM

I found some of the same things you did - the horn is much more even playing and has a better sound. It didn't help the intonation as much as I'd hoped, though. Maybe that just comes with the territory...

A nice piece, and well worth the money. I bought from Charlie Melk and he was top-notch to deal with.

hixsta · 10-12-2009, 11:50 AM

Yes agreed, even my wife (non-musicians are best judges IMHO) says the Melk produces a fatter fuller sound. Intonation is always a struggle on most flugelhorns anyway...

Here's a picture of my baby, all original condition...

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...elkLPSmall.jpg

I would recommend it to anyone!

07-21-2009, 11:07 AM	#1
Dale Proctor Forte User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Heart of Dixie Posts: 1,125	Olds L-12 + Melk Just bought a leadpipe from Charlie Melk for my L-12. It arrived yesterday and I tried it out a little last night with positive results. I'd like to hear impressions from anyone else who's bought one of his leadpipes for an Olds L-12 flugelhorn. I have some initial thoughts on it, but I'd like to hear what others say before I elaborate. __________________ Olde Towne Brass www.otbrass.com Brass Band of Huntsville www.brassbandofhuntsville.org "Hit it hard and wish it well." - Claude Gordon

07-21-2009, 03:17 PM	#2
heck99 Pianissimo User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 52	Re: Olds L-12 + Melk I have an L-12, but I wasn't aware of any leadpipes being made for them. Are they on his website or just special order? I would love to get one for my L-12. I'm curious too to hear some reviews on them. I'm considering having mine restored, as it has been through much wear and tear over the years. I can't complain though, I got it for $25 at a local garage sale. -heck __________________ Conn Aficianado Late 1980s Bach Stradivarius 180-37 1941 Conn 22B New York Symphony 1924 Conn 22B New York Symphony 1960s Olds L-12 Flugelhorn 1937 King Master Cornet Medium Bore

07-21-2009, 03:33 PM	#3
Dale Proctor Forte User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Heart of Dixie Posts: 1,125	Re: Olds L-12 + Melk Charlie makes one for the Olds L-12 and Clark Terry models, as well as for Couesnon flugels and a couple of others - look on his site under "Newest Products". It ain't cheap at $125 (more than twice what I paid for the horn itself ), but I'm sure the investment is worth it. I had mine overhauled a few years ago and it looks like new. I wanted it to play as good as it looks. __________________ Olde Towne Brass www.otbrass.com Brass Band of Huntsville www.brassbandofhuntsville.org "Hit it hard and wish it well." - Claude Gordon Last edited by Dale Proctor; 07-21-2009 at 03:35 PM.

07-21-2009, 03:47 PM	#4
ChopsGone Piano User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 407	Re: Olds L-12 + Melk I don't have his pipe in either of my L-12's yet, but it's high on the list of things to do based on how well the one he put in a vintage Boosey flugelhorn works. He promised better response and a bit warmer tone, and he delivered - much more improvement in the response than I would have ever imagined. __________________ Vintage Olds and Reynolds, yes sir, yes sir, one gazoo full. Calicchios, Besson, Kanstul Bessons, Selmers, etc. F.E. forgive me, even a Bach Strad (but I like the others much better)

07-21-2009, 06:02 PM	#5
heck99 Pianissimo User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 52	Re: Olds L-12 + Melk Wow that L-12 looks absolutely fantastic. I'm curious, how much did the overhaul run you? I'm not sure how yours looked before the overhaul, but mine looks to need quite some cosmetic work. __________________ Conn Aficianado Late 1980s Bach Stradivarius 180-37 1941 Conn 22B New York Symphony 1924 Conn 22B New York Symphony 1960s Olds L-12 Flugelhorn 1937 King Master Cornet Medium Bore

07-21-2009, 06:24 PM	#6
Dale Proctor Forte User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Heart of Dixie Posts: 1,125	Re: Olds L-12 + Melk Mine wasn't too beat-up, but the lacquer was terrible. I think I paid about $250, but that was 6 or 8 years ago. I'd guess about $325 now for the same work. I need to take some better pics of it... __________________ Olde Towne Brass www.otbrass.com Brass Band of Huntsville www.brassbandofhuntsville.org "Hit it hard and wish it well." - Claude Gordon

10-12-2009, 02:57 AM	#7
hixsta New Friend Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Western Australia Posts: 6	Re: Olds L-12 + Melk Just received a Melk pipe and I am impressed, not only does it speak easier but the sound is much more full and intonation is easier to control. Usually nothing above A sounds any good on most vintage flugels and this OLDS L-12 is no exception but with the Melk pipe top B sounds just as sweet! I am amazed at the difference a little pipe can make, how do they do it? Being overseas I always struggle for good customer service with bigger companies but the guys at GR tech kept in touch all the way a well as answered all my questions. I am so in love with my 1970s OLDS L-12, like a proud father!

10-12-2009, 10:36 AM	#8
Dale Proctor Forte User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Heart of Dixie Posts: 1,125	Re: Olds L-12 + Melk I found some of the same things you did - the horn is much more even playing and has a better sound. It didn't help the intonation as much as I'd hoped, though. Maybe that just comes with the territory... A nice piece, and well worth the money. I bought from Charlie Melk and he was top-notch to deal with. __________________ Olde Towne Brass www.otbrass.com Brass Band of Huntsville www.brassbandofhuntsville.org "Hit it hard and wish it well." - Claude Gordon

10-12-2009, 11:50 AM	#9
hixsta New Friend Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Western Australia Posts: 6	Re: Olds L-12 + Melk Yes agreed, even my wife (non-musicians are best judges IMHO) says the Melk produces a fatter fuller sound. Intonation is always a struggle on most flugelhorns anyway... Here's a picture of my baby, all original condition... http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...elkLPSmall.jpg I would recommend it to anyone!

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