jerec576

Hi, I am posting to ask about information about more prominent cornet models in our history. Looking for something with loose slots. As I am trying to find a vintage piece to collect (and play!), I came to the idea that I always wanted a cornet (How atypical is it?). But, I do not have much any information about what is avaliable. Was looking into getting a Martin Committee Cornet, but trying to look for other stuff.

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Schilke X3 : Monette B5P

mlrenick

what about an olds ambassador. I would like one of those.

Indian

You mentioned "loose slotting". To me that suggests lipping of notes like in DixieLand, etc. Have you considered a Conn 80A. Easy to play, lip and very versatile. DixieLand guys love 'em. Other quality vintage cornets include King Masters, Conn 36A Concert Grand, etc.

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Rob,
King Liberty SilverTone (3)
King Liberty (7) Super 20 (2)
Conn Vocabell 40A - 40B - 80A (6) - 81A (1) - 38A Victor (2) - 22B - 16B, 12B Coprion bell
Getzen Tone Balanced Super Deluxe
Holton French LeBlanc (1) - Al Hirt 550
Olds Studio (1) - Special (1)

jerec576

Well, I am looking to a vintage "pro" type horn, even though the Olds series is still considered noble. ( I could not stand the ambassador and much favored my horn over it, but the sound was still just fine ). And then there are cornets with brighter/darker sounds, I have many questions about them actually. I am looking to find an older Conn. What is the King Master like?

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Schilke X3 : Monette B5P

VetPsychWars

This is, in my opinion, one of the best cornets on the planet for certain values of vintage. This particular model is a 1955 Buescher "400" Model 275.

Tom

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1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939, 1946 Buescher Aristocrat Trumpets
1955 Buescher 400 Cornet
Meeuwsen custom 5C-ish mouthpiece
Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band

jerec576

Something I look to find in a cornet is one with a dark tone, but not necessarily mellowed out like what a lot of horns that are described as "Dark". Something with a nice and concentrated dark like tone. Know anything?

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Schilke X3 : Monette B5P

MFfan

King Masters were built in 2 different versions, I believe. I have a '46 and it is the best cornet I have had so far. It is brass with the micrometer tuning on the underslung tuning slide feature . Great valves with no visible wear and a wide wrap it is comfortable to hold without cramping. Tone is robust and pretty mellow with a deep cup MP and easy to play at all volumes, plus being in tune with itself. The extended 3rd slide design contributes self-tuning of the problem low D, C#, etc.

There are many threads you can search for on King Masters and other vintage cornets, like Tom's Bueschers.

The brass ones turn up frequently and are usually not that pricey. I paid $41 for mine plus shipping and $60 for taking out significant crimps in the leaderpipe.

Indian made some good recommendations. The concert grand Conn was a near patent infringement of the King, so Conn had to give up making them. I don't know how many they actually made. Reynolds made a fine underslung cornet, as did Olds (presently on ebay I think)

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Dave Rafferty
Lemar Trumpet (peashooter-Conn?)
Lyrical Trumpet (Tokan)

Besson 609 Trumpet
1955-60 Besson 8-10 Trumpet
1948 Besson cornet
1946 King Master Cornet
www.kalamazooconcertband.org

Ursa

Allow me to put in a good word for another time-tested model, the Getzen Capri. The Capri's slots are just tight enough for precise playing while maintaining good flexibility and characteristic cornet nimbleness between the partials--it's not "buttoned down real tight" as my Olds Ambassador was.

The sound has a dark core with a delightful sparkle to the upper harmonics that makes the tone complex and exciting. And, of course, you get the excellent Getzen valves. The Capri is great fun to play.

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Ursa's collection of fine brasswinds...
Besson BE709 Trumpet
Conn 20B Trumpet - small bore
E. K. Blessing XL-CR Short Cornet
Frank Holton Super Collegiate Trumpet, Copper/Nickel bell
Frank Holton Super Collegiate Cornet, Rose Brass/Nickel bell
Frank Holton Collegiate Cornet
Yamaha YEP-321S Euphonium
Frank Holton 6/4 EEb Tuba

VetPsychWars

I don't know if they're all the same, but I played a friend's Ambassador cornet and it sounded like a trumpet, to me.

Tom

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1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939, 1946 Buescher Aristocrat Trumpets
1955 Buescher 400 Cornet
Meeuwsen custom 5C-ish mouthpiece
Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band

Mark Bradley

I agree. I have what is now starting to be considered "vintage" I guess-- a Capri from the mid-80s. It's really an outstanding cornet. I'm not saying it's the "best" or anything like that, but I like everything about it. A highly under-rated cornet.

As far as the old, old vintage cornets there's a plethora of Olds models out there that are generally very good horns. A friend plays a 40s "Super" and just loves it-- the Ambassador, Special, Super, Recording, Opera and Standard are all totally different and very nice in their own way (as are the trumpets). I know there are a lot of Conn fans out there but there are so many clunker Conns I wouldn't know where to start with those.

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