gmcmurry

So guys and gals, I purchased my first Martin Committee. Its a 1945 model in in pretty nice condition. I will probably send it off and get it completely overhauled. Everything looks good with it but I worry that it will need a new leadpipe.

I am fine with a couple hundred extra to replace the leadpipe. I look to keeping this horn for many years.

I currently play a 1960's version Olds Recording. I have had it for 40+ years. It is in perfect condition, not a dent anywhere. I love the way it plays, feels and sounds.

I admit that I don't have that much experience with other horns. I have only played vintage OLDS brass my entire life. (I am 55) I became interested in MARTIN after becoming a fan of Chris Botti.

Now enough with the Bla Bla... Here is my question...

I notice that my new (old) MARTIN had the valves much closer to my face than my RECORDING. I am a big guy with big hands. Am I gonna regret taking on the MARTIN because I am holding it closer to my face than I do with my OLDS?

Is the valve position on my RECORDING something that is only a characteristic of my OLDS RECORDING model?

I am interested in all of your thoughts.

Greg

Pedal C

It's been awhile since I've tried a Martin, but the space for your hands ought to be about the same, just a little closer to your face. I doubt your hands will feel too cramped, unless the finger rings are in drastically different places.

As for the design, Selmer made a horn called the "Balanced Action," I think, that had a similar design. Harry James played one and I think Louis Armstrong may have too. The Selmer is my favorite vintage horn...I'd love to own one! Here's a picture...

http://www.oberloh.com/sales/balanced.jpg

Jason.

Toobz

Congrats on the new horn ! Prime year for your Committee.
I can't comment on the Olds, I've never had one, yet !

As for regretting the Martin, it may take some time to adjust. When I first started playing other brand saxes, none of them felt as good or as comfortable as the Selmer I had played previously. It took me some time to shed some of my one brand bias before I could begin to appreciate some of the unique attributes that these other horns offered. I think you'll find some unique things about the Committee that will strike a chord with you, but it may never replace the love you have for your Olds. Whether you grow to hate or love the Committee, I believe you'll enjoy the experience .

For me, owning vintage instruments have been a mixed bag for me.
On the plus side, it's opened my eyes to the wonderful variety of other makers instruments. Previously, I was pretty much a one brand kind of guy (Selmer). Now, I look forward to playing around with the next horn from ??? . On the negative side, I have way too many horns at any given moment. I don't always seem to find enough time for all of the necessary repairs and parts needed to get all of these in proper playing condition. And my wife is less than thrilled with my spare bedroom looking like an instrument warehouse.

I never thought I would be interested in any brand other than Selmer.
Now, I can't imagine ever having just one choice.

Enjoy your new horn, it's truly a classic.

gmcmurry

Thanks for everyone's comments. I guess I will get used to it. I really want to keep this horn.

I just took a look at the two of them sitting next to each other on their stands and the Martin 3rd valve starts where my Olds 1st valve is. That puts the valves at least a couple of inches closer to the mouthpiece on the Martin.

I guess that's why my Olds doesn't fit so well in my travel case..

Greg

Sterling

Congrats on your new horn. I had a similar experience when after playing a Bach Strad for 30 years, I tried an Olds Recording and nearly knocked my teeth out because of where the valves are situated! It's a very nice instrument, especially the arched valve cluster(why doesn't anybody else do that). Besides the Selmer Balanced Action trumpet, I don't think any other trumpet has the valve cluster so far away from your face.

veery715

Your Recording does indeed have its valve block located further away from your face. It is supposed to be more or less centered so it has a more even balance of tubing on the front and back side. It does make it easier to hold in balance with your right hand while inserting a mute. That and the staggered 2nd valve are supposed to make it more ergonomic, and it actually is as long as you don't smack yourself with the mouthpiece! They do fit differently in cases. The offset spit valve lever on the main tuning slide is also easier to operate with your right hand, using a pinching motion.
The balanced action Selmer is similar, and the Selmer Radial 2 has a different approach to fingering comfort and speed, with the result being essentially the same as the staggered (for the long middle finger) 2nd valve on the Olds. Work your fingers w/o an instrument and notice they converge on your palm. Both the Olds and the Selmer take this into account
Your Recording probably has a fatter, fuller sound than most other horns. And it is no lightweight either.

gmcmurry

Thanks for the great comments. The OLDS is a bit heavier. I actually like that. However, I like the feel of the vibration that I get in my hands on the MARTIN. It sort of connects the rest of my body to the tone.

I think I do prefer the offset valves and the placement further from my face. I am a big guy and my arms are a bit more relaxed in that position then closer to my face.

I love the Martin and think I have a new friend. Now I just have to decide if I want to go to the expense of having it worked over and re-finished. The old finish is quite dull and yellow. Afterall, its about 60 years old.

Greg

rowuk

I don't think that it will be an issue. After a week or so, you will probably be more concious of the change in sound than the valve cluster position.

Moving the valve cluster more towards the player, changes the position of several pressure nodes in the instrument. A Holton technician told me many years ago that that made the upper register easier to play (the MF Horn also shared this characteristic). I have no way of testing that, but it is interesting to note the other companies that also have the valves in a similar position!

veery715

I have often wondered about feeling vibrations in your hands. Ideally there should be no vibrations exiting the horn that your hands can feel. The ideal horn (non-existent) is said to be one which doesn't vibrate at all, allowing all sound vibrations to come out the bell. Is it possible those vibrations you feel are being subtracted from those which should be coming out of the bell?

rowuk

I am not sure that there shouldn't be any vibrations mechanically passed to the player. It would surely make the sound of the horn more "individual" (mass and damping properties of the player) and give you some feedback even in acoustically difficult situations.
The second issue, if all the vibrations come out of the bell, there is no immediate feedback to the player. We all rely on what is radiated from the outside of the bell to tell us how loud we are playing. It also determines what we think our sound is like (the audience has a much different impression however).