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Albuquerque Duke
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Joined: 22 Mar 2008
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 Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 8:07 pm Post subject: Martin Handcraft Imperial |
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I've seen a couple somewhat conflicting serial number lists for Martin trumpets, so that is what generates this question.
The Trumpet Gearhead says:
"The Martin Handcraft Imperial was the top of the line until 1939. Upon the introduction of the Handcraft Committee (in 1939), the Imperial became a student grade horn".
Is the above mentioned Martin Handcraft Imperial a pro or student horn?
Thanks.
Last edited by Albuquerque Duke on Mon May 03, 2010 9:46 am; edited 1 time in total |
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razeontherock
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Location: The land of GR and Getzen
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Wouldn't it be nice if it was as simple as they never made a Handcraft Imperial student model? I don't know, just throwing this in the mix as a related question. |
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Albuquerque Duke
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Joined: 22 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 2:58 am Post subject: |
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| razeontherock wrote: | | Wouldn't it be nice if it was as simple as they never made a Handcraft Imperial student model? I don't know, just throwing this in the mix as a related question. |
Right. That adds a bit to the confusion. |
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supportlivejazz
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Joined: 05 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 3:27 am Post subject: Re: Martin Handcraft Imperial with Serial Number 130,000 |
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| Albuquerque Duke wrote: | I've seen a couple somewhat conflicting serial number lists for Martin trumpets, so that is what generates this question.
The Trumpet Gearhead says:
"The Martin Handcraft Imperial was the top of the line until 1939. Upon the introduction of the Handcraft Committee (in 1939), the Imperial became a student grade horn".
Is the above mentioned Martin Handcraft Imperial a pro or student horn?
Thanks. |
All the Handcraft Imperials that I have owned or seen, have been top of the line horns. Similarly, all non-Handcraft Imperials have certainly been of lesser quality and most accurately described as student level horns. The latter that I've seen or owned were from the late 40s to 60s. The Handcraft Imperials were pre-WWII.
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Albuquerque Duke
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Joined: 22 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 4:17 am Post subject: Re: Martin Handcraft Imperial with Serial Number 130,000 |
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| supportlivejazz wrote: | | Albuquerque Duke wrote: | | I've seen a couple somewhat conflicting serial number lists for Martin trumpets, so that is what generates this question. The Trumpet Gearhead says: "The Martin Handcraft Imperial was the top of the line until 1939. Upon the introduction of the Handcraft Committee (in 1939), the Imperial became a student grade horn". Is the above mentioned Martin Handcraft Imperial a pro or student horn? Thanks. |
All the Handcraft Imperials that I have owned or seen, have been top of the line horns. Similarly, all non-Handcraft Imperials have certainly been of lesser quality and most accurately described as student level horns. The latter that I've seen or owned were from the late 40s to 60s. The Handcraft Imperials were pre-WWII. |
So, very simply, "Handcraft = Pro" Thanks for your help. |
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supportlivejazz
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 5:27 am Post subject: |
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They made a few different "Handcraft" models... Symphony, Dansant and others. They were very typical of the day (1920s-30s) and not great players or very valuable. The HC Imperial was the last and best edition and plays very much like a HC Committee. I think the bell flare is similar and it certainly was a well built horn. I've had a few versions. Some were plain, no frills. Some had 3rd and main tuning slide stop rod assemblies. not sure if these were design changes or options. I had one.... well I wish I still had it. 
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1940s Blessing Artist
Olds LA Special Model Cornet
"I'm not apologizing, I am what I am. There'll be no compromising, I don't give a damn." |
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abundrefo
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Location: Brazil
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| Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 5:22 am Post subject: |
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| supportlivejazz wrote: | | They made a few different "Handcraft" models... Symphony, Dansant and others. They were very typical of the day (1920s-30s) and not great players or very valuable. |
Just to contribute with those who seek information about the Dansant in this forum: The Dansant is a GREAT player, specially with a proper short shank mouthpiece. With the stock Dansant mouthpiece (a Martin Elkhart, in my case), it plays very much in tune, and it makes you feel you don't miss the valve slide finger rings or triggers at all. |
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Zman
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| Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:03 am Post subject: |
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I agree also that the Dasant is under rated as a player.
In fact just about anything Handcraft I have seen has been of excellent quality.
People get kinda hung up on is it a pro or is it a student horn thing.
I have Handcrafts (Standards, Dasants) Committee's and even Indiana's. All of them share a similar tonal quality - the differences are slight. In fact most of the parts interchange between all those horns to give you an idea of how similar (maybe not the dasants) they all are.
Those early handcraft models have pieces all stamped with serial numbers all matching the valve casing down to the 3 pronged valve guides - that says a lot about the attention to detail at that time.
If you can't find a good Handcraft Imperial try and find a nice Handcraft Standard - same horn no nickel trim pieces.
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Martins:
HC Committee #2
HC Imperial #3 LB & #4 XL Bore
Deluxe Committee Bb, C & Eb
Taylor Chicago II Lite
Yamaha 8335LA
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abundrefo
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| Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:58 am Post subject: |
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| Zman wrote: | I agree also that the Dasant is under rated as a player.
In fact just about anything Handcraft I have seen has been of excellent quality.
People get kinda hung up on is it a pro or is it a student horn thing.
I have Handcrafts (Standards, Dasants) Committee's and even Indiana's. All of them share a similar tonal quality - the differences are slight. In fact most of the parts interchange between all those horns to give you an idea of how similar (maybe not the dasants) they all are.
Those early handcraft models have pieces all stamped with serial numbers all matching the valve casing down to the 3 pronged valve guides - that says a lot about the attention to detail at that time.
If you can't find a good Handcraft Imperial try and find a nice Handcraft Standard - same horn no nickel trim pieces. |
That's right!!!
I also own a Handcraft Imperial which I got from Robb Stewart.
Both are great horns, with the Dansant being easier to play and the Imperial having a warmer and mellower tone. |
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yourbrass
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Location: Pacifica, CA, USA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:00 am Post subject: |
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Not to add to the confusion, but there's a Martin Imperial at the shop I work at that has no Handcraft engraved on it. It's 120xxx so it's 30's vintage, I guess.
The horn is gold-plated and the engraving is elaborate, obviously top of the line for its day.
I think they got up in the morning and went to work at the Martin factory and decided right then and there what they would call that day's model. (HA) |
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A.N.A.Mendez
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| Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:03 am Post subject: |
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Had a couple of the Symphony models, both were large bore and played like a Committee on downers. Both new owners of these rare pups are VERY happy. Amazing horns.
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Zman
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Location: New Plymouth, New Zealand
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| Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:22 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Had a couple of the Symphony models, both were large bore and played like a Committee on downers. Both new owners of these rare pups are VERY happy. Amazing horns |
Speaking of those horns in particular if anyone has one that's not being used - I'd love to add one to my collection 
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Martins:
HC Committee #2
HC Imperial #3 LB & #4 XL Bore
Deluxe Committee Bb, C & Eb
Taylor Chicago II Lite
Yamaha 8335LA
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www.youtube.com/channel/UCZk1sIuyVsQzrbsl7HfIfKw/ |
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