asd

After over 20 years, my 68 Strad ML/37 is finally, seriously, coming to the end of the line. So its new trumpet time. I have tried many horns and found the horns lacking in comparison to my old Bach. I am to understand that the Eclipse trumpet is making quite a mark and many respected players are using this instrument.

I would like to hear from anyone who plays this instrument in a jazz imporv. setting primarily.

Please, dealers, endoresees, students, "lead players" do not respond. i am not looking for a sales pitch, I am looking for people who have played/owned/own this instrument and want postive and negative feedback.

Frankly, at 4000USD, I sometimes think I can get the same results from a Yamaha at a fraction of the cost. Perhaps.

N.B.

I am posting here as this forum seems to attract the most intelligent posts and responses.

Thank you.

rowuk

asd,
post the general area that you are from, there may be a TMer in your area with an eclipse to try!

You will not get the "same" results from a Yamaha. It will also be in tune, have a good blow over the whole range but the acoustic concepts are completely different. Whether or not either fits in your setting you will only know after trying them.
I am sure that many Eclipse users played Yamaha previously and switched not because the Yamaha was not good enough, but rather they wanted something with a more "individual" playing experience. Being ready for that individualism is a concept that cannot be quantified in terms of goodness or greatness (or dollars). It is more like finding a partner for life - a lot of emotion and gut level feeling attached. There is something undefinably wonderful about an instrument hand made for ME!

To keep the comparison fair, the great players like Vizzuti or Lindemann probably did not buy their Yamahas "off the shelf" or by mail order - I am sure that they get the same personal attention that Eclipse gives their customers!

I remember an ad for rolex watches or Mercedes or something. I think it went like this: there is nothing in life so satisfying as a decision that was made without comprimise.

Money will not be the deciding factor for your "partner" for life

Dave

Well, I am am very happy with my Eclipse LR. I use it primarily for jazz improv. I have tried many other horns, but the Eclipse gave me more of a distinctive sound. The horn is very free blowing, plays very well in tune, and the valves are incredible. I play tested it against several Yamahas. I thought like you, that I could find the same qualities at less of a price. I even told my wife that there would have to be a pretty substantial difference for me to spend the extra cash. There was. Once I played the LR, I knew it was the one. I bought my horn through Trent Austin. Incredible service every step of the way.

Rowuk's comments above are spot on regarding the "individual playing experience". My Eclipse is an inspiration. It is a chameleon in terms of the tonal colors I can get from it. I look forward to a lifetime of exploring this horn. My previous horn was a Yamaha. I have also owned two Bach Strads. They were great horns, but my Eclipse gets me closer to MY sound than ever before.

asd

Yes, you are correct, I know a number of Yamaha artists and I am aware of their "perks."

But have YOU played the Eclipse trumpet? And waht are your impressions?

I am in Paris. Do you know of someone here who plays the Eclipse? Most players I run into here play Selmers; mostly Concept TT.

I did meet Eric Aubier in a music store (Yamaha artist)--he heard me testing a TT without my knowledge, and we chated after awhile. i was palying only jazz. Auiber is a very warm cat. never know who's litening to you!!

rowuk

asd,
I have not yet played any Eclipse (there are so many variations). I play another brand of handmade trumpet (Eclipse was not a choice back when I bought my horn in 1997). It is a love affair however......... I am in London on business quite a bit and will try to get an "audience" sometime in 2007.

Word is out in the TM community. I am sure you will get a positive response!

You are right about not knowing who is listening. That is why each note that we play should be more beautiful than the one preceding it!

djm6701

If you are going to spend that much money on an instrument, since you are in Paris perhaps it would be worth it to go to England to the factory in person and try them out there.

Tootsall

Checking out the Eclipse website ( http://www.eclipsetrumpets.com ), the price is £2,000 which already includes VAT.

I've had an Eclipse for 2 years now but I don't play in a jazz setting so I'll refrain from commenting on specific characteristics. I will say that the horn "feels like a Schilke and sounds like a Bach" and has incredible valves, fit and finish. Other than that, all the models are going to sound and feel different so the only way for you to see what works for you is to try them out.

There are a number of testamonials about them on the website from (what seems to me to be mostly) jazz artists including some names you may recognize. There is also a list of dealers but you are likely not much further from the factory in Luton than the closest agent (Thomann, near Bamberg).

You may also run a "search" in TM that will bring up an extensive number of threads about the horns and people's reactions to them.

Rgale

I don't own an Eclipse, but have tried them. I am so used to my old Bach, that I won't switch till I need to. But the Eclipse is definately as good, and if I do change up or need a new horn, Eclipse is at the top of my list.
They do play like the best Bach you ever tried, and I say that as a player who has a very nice Mt. Vernon.
The response is very even and quick, the sound very like a good Bach, the intonation better.
Superb instruments- you only have to find the model that fits you.
BTW, I have no affiliation with the company, I just like the horns a lot.

Lawler Bb

Interesting. I don't find my Eclipse to play anything like a Bach. Not even close. I would agree that the sound is similar (my Eclipse is similar to my Bach 37 and 229 horns) but the feel and resistance is completely different. I do appreciate the intonation and sound clarity that I get with the Eclipse. I know the original poster wanted responses from a "jazz improv" perspective, but I think it comes down to how the horn plays for people, regardless of the genre it's used in.

In my opinion, if you like the Bach feel and sound, find another Bach. If not, the new Yamaha Artist model horns are very similar in feel and response to a Bach with a similar sound, and the new Laskey trumpets are even closer.

Dave

I tried an MR before I tried the LR, and I thought it sounded more like a Bach or Yamaha, but it did have a different feel. Ultimately I was looking for a different sound, and the LR gave me that.