barato

Do any of you have a Silver Flair? This trumpet was very famous in the 70's or around this time period ( cannot really remember ). I am just wondering how rare it is because my trumpet teacher has one, which he played in many big bands. If you know thanks, or if you own one please share how much you like it.

Solar Bell

I have had 5 King Flairs.

That tells you how much I liked them.

John Sheets plays one now.

I found it to be a very good solo horn in big band use.

They have a great edge to them and a very bright and brassy sound.

I am, of course referring to the old horns from the 60's and early 70's.

I would not even consider an newer one made by UMI.

-cw-

ZeuSter

I have played a few of the newer ones made by UMI and I found them to
be really great playing horns. Very open but also bright and edgy with the right piece.
Good intonation .

Leadtrumpetgirl

Solar Bell

Nice post Charmaine.

The new Fl;airs are at best...um...mediocre and that might be too kind.

I enjoyed my Flairs very much and am alway on the lookout for a new one.

My favorite one was a 1967 model, I used a Parduba James 3.5 whenever I did Harry's solos on that horn.

Good to have you here.

ps
Are you sure these horns were designed for use by Diz?

They were the signature horn for Harry James. He was the main star advertising them. At one time the whole James trumpet section had to play Flairs.



-cw-

stradguy

Hey i have a Josef Lidl Brunn Fluglehorn it was made between1895 and 1945 does anyone know anything about this hor or have played one before?

Zaraskabat

I too liked the old flairs I tried in the early 70's. That is why I bought my high school daughter a new silver flair. I keep hearing slightly insulting comments about them here at TM and it bothers me a little. No, it is not of the same class as the older flairs but it is still far better than a Conn Director. These newer UMI models may disappoint you by recycling their model names, but what I wish to point out is that maybe we should be glad that we finally have several truly intermediate level horns available. Yes, I was disappointed too that it is not the same horn I remember, but then I look at how much I paid for it. These horns can be had for $750 easy and no matter how good a high school level student is, they are still an intermediate level player in my book. Will I run out and plop down a couple grand for a modern day equivalent of the older pro horns for a very good high school player? nope

So I guess I am saying let's not be complaining and insulting a horn because the manufacturor wants to use a model name that once meant something else. Let's be glad we are getting higher level student horns at a reasonable price.

Ken

Solar Bell

It has nothing to do with a manufacturer recycling a name.

The trumpets that are made by Conn-Selmer-UMI-Steinway or whatever the company is called now are generally inferior horns. Sure they are using all the old names, that's not the point. The horns are just not up to snuff.

I would rather a student buy a used good horn then some of the junk offered new. Intermediate trumpets are often just beginner horns with a few cosmetic changes, like silver plate or a fixed 3rd valve slide ring. In my opinion, I would go from a beginner horn to a pro horn. If I could not afford a new one I would look for a good used one.

-cw-

Leadtrumpetgirl

[quote=Solar Bell;291890]
ps
Are you sure these horns were designed for use by Diz?

I was not educated of that until 1986, my visit to the Smithsonian revealed his King Silver Flair TUB on display. The turned up bell originally was an accident, occurring when someone fell on Dizzy's Martin horn & tweaked the bell - Dizzy tried playing it & liked the sound!

.......They were the signature horn for Harry James. He was the main star advertising them. At one time the whole James trumpet section had to play Flairs.

HJ was the most mainstream trumpeter they could find to endorse a horn. Dizzy's BeBop style was not as popular with the larger (swing) audience. James was a logical choice for King.

I agree, its useless to 'insult' a horn. Its the player that really makes the difference.
The best student horn ever built was the OLDS Ambassador. Back then, there was no 'intermediate' horn to compare to. It stood well next to professional models (still does) & was used by many pro names, including Freddie Hubbard. The only reason it was called a student model is because they were the most affordable. A beginning player given a shiny new horn that is mass produced often loses out - that's the real insult! If you want your kid to learn to drive, would you make him become a mechanic first? .... A horn is supposed to WORK. No child should have to learn on a horn that is not mechanically sound. Go ahead, Buy ten varieties of China horn & compare them to any pre 1980s American made horn. Better yet, have a real player see one...not someone with a sheepskin claiming expertise (or getting paid to demonstrate them at trade shows). You can bet that none of these 'experts' got through school with the substandard horns they hawk...If you do not earn your living BLOWING your horn, there is no way you can comprehend or accept these differences! Why be happy to buy something because its intermediate? Get an older student model & its sound & function will outplay any shiny Asian import. If you must have a pretty horn, buy an old one & restore it - or go ahead & invest in a real pro horn. A truly pro horn is an investment that will repay you if you ever decide to sell it. Everything depreciates when new, but thats no reason it should fall apart or break prematurely. A good horn will last a lifetime. UMI may call their Silver Flair intermediate because they well know of their sacrifice in quality! They have taken a famous professional name & denegrated it for the sake of their profit. It is not even the same horn! No, there is never cause to insult a horn, only its builder! (I hesitate to expound on how the Benge name has plummeted through UMI - those who know, know)
Why so much information? ....oh, yes, that's right...I am a brass player, after all. We do tend to be long-winded!
Take care all!
......C

Robert Rowe

Hey, Charmaine !

Happy New Year, Darlin' ... and welcome to this here horn website! Nice of you to drop-in. I just know folks here are gonna benefit from your experience and knowledge, as I have.

I sometimes "lurk" here .... (much to others' chagrin) ... oh, well.

Lookin' forward to your posts!

Yr Fthfl Srvnt,
Robt