New soprano cornet

GordonH · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 3:37 am Post subject: New soprano cornet

I decided to have another go at Eb cornet (it being my main instrument of younger days). Most brass bands have a good instrument to lend out, but I need to get my playing in order first so on the recommendation of a friend who plays soprano I decided to get one of the Excel cornets. These look like the same Chinese instrument as the JP one, but are marketed by Band Supplies, one of the main dealers in brass band instruments. I got mine for £295 including delivery and its in silver plate. It has arrived at my work so here are some photos.

I haven't played it yet (obviously), but the person who recommended it plays a Schilke and says that although this one is sold as a student model the intonation is very good and its quite an open blow. I trust his judgement and will report back when I have had the chance to play it. The Yamaha student model is £550 so this was about half the price, but it looks like a knock off of the previous Yamaha Maestro model.

The slides are nice and tight with good seals. Valves are hard to judge as I have no valve oil. It feels heavy. Its not a lightweight bell thats for sure. Which reminds me that I don't have any mutes that will fit a soprano bell.

Mouthpiece supplied is a copy of the Wick S model.

Bell engraving says Vintage by Excel

Case is a sort of denim material with back straps and a shoulder strap. A bit nicer than the JP case.

homebilly · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 3:40 am Post subject:

looks like a nice horn!

i was at my first brass band championship this past sunday in Amiens France

pretty impressive i must say!

have fun and keep us posted

ron
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GordonH · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 3:48 am Post subject:

homebilly · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 4:28 am Post subject:

i know him well!
i saw him last summer at a friend's wedding.
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GordonH · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 4:57 am Post subject:

GordonH · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 1:28 am Post subject:

I can report that the instrument is well in tune with itself and the sound is nice. I am going to have to select a mouthpiece that does not make me play low on the pitch. I have that problem with all small trumpets and cornets and this one is only in tune with the slide right in. I have the same issue with the Schilke soprano cornet on some mouthpieces.

Build quality is good, but the screws that hold the trigger linkages together need some Loctite on the threads to strop them coming loose. I woul dhave prefered rings rather than triggers. The valves are stainless steel which is not good for wear, but they are very smooth. Springs are quite hard, like Yamaha ones. I am used to Schilke, Besson and bach which are a bit softer.

Overall I would say its not as responsive as the Schilke but it sounds nicer. Its better than the old Sovereign, but thats not difficult as the Sovereign was a dog. Its a bit better than the old 1980's long Getzen one I had. Its better than the old Imperial because it plays in tune with itself. On par with the older Yamaha that it seems to be based on although the build quality is not as good. Comparing it to student models its better than the later Besson student model soprano and better than the East European ones that schools used to buy in. The upper register is very open and it doesn't close up on me. The top C is well in tune, D less so, E is very flat and would require alternative fingerings - not that soprano parts ever go that high.

Mouthpiece wise I am using a Wick 4B converted to screw rim with a Bach 1.5c rim on it. Its not the right mouthpiece for this so I need to do some experimenting.

I would give it 7.5 out of 10, but I am a harsh judge. I would give the Schilke a 9 because of the pitch problems and I find the sound a bit harsh. Its 12% of the price of a Schilke but its about 75% of the way there. Like all instruments its a law of diminishing returns.

etc-etc · Heavyweight Member Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 3962

Gordon,

Have you tried the professional Bb cornet distributed by the same UK supplier?

GordonH · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 2:37 pm Post subject:

I think this is the same one but other importers sell it as a student model so that's how I view it.

tk1031 · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 6:37 am Post subject:

Gordon... I had the same problem with mine. I replaced the linkages with minibal linkage (that I got from the hobby store). Works very nice, and no screws coming out.

My Eb, however, is not in tune. The upper end of the horn is way way off.
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GordonH · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 8:18 am Post subject:

GordonH · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 9:56 am Post subject:

Just tried a Bach 6 in it and all the notes lined up on the tuner within 5 percent either way. I feel like I am reinventing the wheel. Used to use a 6 or a 5MV on soprano and I seem to be heading back there. A lot of players in brass bands use things like 7E 10E or other very shallow mouthpieces. I prefer to stay deeper.

tom turner · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 12:23 pm Post subject:

Congratulations Gordon on picking up an Eb again, and best wishes on regaining the "hot seat!"

I hope you'll find it plays as easy and well as a good Schilke specimen!!!
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Flip Oakes "Wild Thing" instruments (Trumpet, Short Cornet & Fluglehorn) +
Filp Oakes C Trumpet & Flip Oakes "Celebration" Bb Trumpet

GordonH · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 12:26 pm Post subject:

RandyTX · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 12:53 pm Post subject:

GordonH · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 6:22 am Post subject:

Short clip to show it working. iPad audio of course:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91HvrT3JOHA

tom turner · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 12:08 pm Post subject:

Nice Gordon, thanks for posting. Intonation is good too!

Tom
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Tom Turner
Flip Oakes "Wild Thing" instruments (Trumpet, Short Cornet & Fluglehorn) +
Filp Oakes C Trumpet & Flip Oakes "Celebration" Bb Trumpet

etc-etc · Heavyweight Member Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 3962

Very nice!

GordonH · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 1:03 am Post subject:

Thank you!

Going to take some acclimatisation, but for me its like going down the time tunnel to my carefree days of youth.

richardwy · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 5:50 am Post subject:

Really nice sound, Gordon!
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michaelmullins · Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 6:47 am Post subject:

Apologies for a slight hijack on this thread but I've got a few questions if anyone could answer them?

Firstly, has anyone played the JP Eb cornet? Is it any good? Reactions?
Thomann has the CarolBrass Eb listed at 450 odd pounds. Anyone have an input on that?

Secondly, as far as mouthpiece selection goes, what are the typical characteristics of an Eb cornet mouthpiece. The only time I played Sop i used my Stork 3P piccolo mp because it was the only cornet shank mp I have. Would I need something else?

Thanks in advance for your help, Im interested in getting some experience on sop but have spent basically all my playing time on Bb, Eb and piccolo trumpets so cornet is a little foreign.
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