Flip Oakes "Celebration" review, pt. 1

tom turner

I recently received, for testing and review, a new silver "Celebration" trumpet by Flip Oakes. These things are so rare at this point that only a few handfuls of people have played one, so I feel very blessed.

I'm going to spread the review out for several threads over the next week or so, in order to focus on testing different elements of the way the horn plays. IF ANYONE HAS SPECIFIC THINGS THEY'D LIKE ME TO TEST, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

PART ONE:

1. THE F# SCALE -

I've found that if a horn can lock in and play a nice F# scale throughout the ocatves, that the horn will generally be a really fine playing one. With all the multiple valve combinations interfering with the horn, this scale can sometimes be quite telling. So, after a careful warmup on my Wild Thing trumpet, I was ready for the first test on the Celebration.

Results

Very, very nice and even transition on each note throughout the octaves, from the low F# up to the F# below Triple C. Intonation was really fine, but that's the least of what I was looking for.

Like my other F. Oakes horns, (and using a stairstep analogy) each note ascending seemed to rest on an equal height step with an equal "depth" to each step. This is not encountered on many fine horns, for most horns have notes that are harder to hit and/or harder to stay on the pitch without falling off. The evenness of effort from one note to the other was also remarkably the same!

Of particular interest on this scale test was the way the High G# (above High C) would play. Would the note speak normally, or would it be like on most horns . . . and hardly "work" well at all. I was quite impressed. The A# above that was also solid.

2. THE HIGH A -

Typically the hardest note to speak on most trumpets, I figured I'd spend a while testing how this note spoke . . . and hopefully locked in on the Celebration.

Doing repeated interval skips was VERY pleasing. The note was a real one, and it locked in as good as any trumpet I've ever tested or played. Frankly, I got a real kick out of doing this test, and was amazed how consistent I could hit the A from different directions and speeds between the intervals.

I think people who routinely play above the "ceiling" High G will be quite impressed at what this horn would do for them! I also think that lots of folks who've never been able to comfortably and consistently play above the High G will find that this horn helps 'em get over that barrier caused by the typically "lame" High G# and High A.

3. EASE AND EXTENT OF CONTROL OF THE INSTRUMENT'S RANGE -

Throughout the entire range of the horn from the low F# to the Triple C, the horn was as good and consistent as my Wild Thing. Heck, it might even be a tad easier to play in the stratosphere! I was very impressed. All notes locked evenly and properly, yet released with great control when doing tip trills.

I'll try to post some more specific tests tomorrow.

I can already see that this horn holds a whole lot of promise for someone wanting or needing a very serious trumpet! Heck, I might want one of these myself. There are some really exciting things I have to say about the sound, focus and blow. I'll be covering these things in a later test.

Tom Turner

Bill Bryant · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 6:22 pm Post subject:

Why don't you post sound files of yourself doing these tests?

tom turner · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:00 pm Post subject:

What would you like to hear?

Maybe I can put something together. It will have to be next weekend though, as I have guests in the house that came today and will be leaving Monday.

I'm looking forward to taking the horn to a Georgia Big Band rehearsal Monday night, and hope to have all the players there test it . . . and also have us all listen to each other and critique the sound.

The big test will be on a couple of gigs next weekend. It's got a tighter blow than the Wild Thing . . . more like what so many folks are currently used to. I've been very impressed with it so far!

Sincerely,

Tom Turner

richardwy · Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the 1st installment Tom.

Enjoy,

Richard Oliver
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Richard Oliver -

Don Lee · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 8:12 pm Post subject: WT-Celebration

Tom:

It would be great to hear you play the same thing on the WT and the Celebration so that we all could hear the difference.

Thanks!

Bill Bryant · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 8:18 pm Post subject: Re: WT-Celebration

tom turner · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 8:56 pm Post subject:

I'll see what I can do! I won't be able to record until at least next weekend, due to my work schedule.

So far I'm hearing some different things that I can't wait to check out tomorrow in a large rehearsal hall. However, from what I'm hearing, it looks like Flip has nailed a fine, and distinctive new model quite well.

Tomorrow night will tell a lot.

I've still got a lot of testing still to do.

Hope you all have a great week!

Tom

Winghorn · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:10 pm Post subject:

Tom- I was able to try out a Wild Thing a month or so back and while I loved the sound and intonation, it was just too much for me on my Bach Mt. Vernon 1 1/C mouthpiece. I like a little carefully controlled resistance ala Bach 37, and found the Wild Thing to be a little too open. Does the celebration have a little more to push against while retaining the fat, rich sound of the Wild Thing? How would you compare it to a good Bach 37 resistance and response wise? I realize that Bach instruments may not be your cup of tea, but I am sure you have played them over the years. Thanks.
Regards
Steve Allison

dbacon · Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

"What would you like to hear?"

Charlier 2
Last Movt. of the Hummel
Kennan (old version)
Cascades (Vizzutti)
2nd Movt. Haydn
Bitsch #9 (Meno at MM=100!)

Solo over the changes to Duke Pearson's "Is That So"

Lead parts to Thad's "Cherry Juice" (the tempo they use today), First Circle, and play the balad "But Beautiful."

Oh yeah, how about a Duke/Strayhorn medley?
A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing
Pashion Flower
Daydream
Chelsea Bridge
Isfahan
Sophisticated Lady

This last we do with a TenTet and I want some help with them...

_________________
Dave Bacon
Mesa Community College
trumpetbacon@gmail.com

tom turner · Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:25 pm Post subject:

Winghorn · Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:05 pm Post subject:

Tom- Thanks much! I can't wait to try a celebration. People who have not heard the sound a Wild Thing can produce are missing out on a treat. I love the sound of my Mt. Vernon Bach will probably never replace it with anything else as my main axe, but having a celebration nestled in the other side of my double case for when I want to play a ballad or let loose in a big band setting.......Hmmmmmm.
Regards
Steve Allison

_dcstep · Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 7:03 am Post subject:

Winghorn · Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:10 am Post subject:

dcstep-
You know, I haven't been excited about a new model trumpet for a long time, but I am now and it is fun! The sound of a Wild Thing trumpet with a more Bach-like blow for we "traditionalists" used to Bachs, Yammies, and the like, sounds like it will be hard to resist. And I really like the extended reviews of new and interesting horns, especially when the reviewers give a balanced assessment and refrain from trashing other fine horns. Thanks Tom and Dave!
Regards Steve Allison

janet842 · Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:43 am Post subject:

tommy t. · Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 2:17 pm Post subject:

I find that my Wild Thing is versitile enough to play in most contexts. When I bought it I kept another Bb for a while, thinking that I might need it in brass quintets or wind ensembles. But, I never found a situation where the Wild Thing didn't fit (other than because everybody else was playing a picc or a D in some Bach cantata and then I'd play my D) and the Wild Thing is now my only Bb trumpet. I have two cornets, a flugel, and a C to cover some non-WT demands, but I have never chosen to use one of them because the WT didn't fit with other Bb trumpets, regardless of setting or brand. Same thing with the slides. After bouncing around a bit, I just used the #1 exclusively until the J1 became available and after two weeks of comparing #1 and J1, I play the J1 exclusively. (I do switch mouthpieces sometimes for blending or sound purposes, going between my usual Yamaha 14A4a-GP, reamed to a #20 throat; a regular 14A4a, reamed to #22; and a 14B4, reamed to #24.)

Question, especially for Tom: If you owned both, when would you expect to play the Celebration? I mean play it not just because you enjoy playing different horns but because you needed its particular sound in a particular circumstance and couldn't get it from the WT.

By the way, thanks for sharing this with us. As far as I am concerned, this is one of the best threads ever on TH.

Tommy T.
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Actually, I hate music. I just do this for the money.

crzytptman · Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 8:04 pm Post subject:

I don't mean to "horn in" on Tom's review, but I didn't find that much difference in the "blow" of the WT vs. the horn I have that became the Celebration. Both horns have great response and play very easily. For me it's all about the sound, or MY sound. I had a WT out for about a week and played it in various settings. Flip had me take the Celeproto out for a couple of weeks. For me the WT is not the sound I'm after - too open and spread. The more focused sound of the Celebration suits me better. Now, when I say focused, it's nothing like a Bach 37! It's more like a 72* that eats it's Wheaties, while the large bore allows for a mellow tone when I want. I had access to alot of top pro horns to compare, and I own a Callet Jazz, a vintage Bach 72* (a real player), and a Holton ST305. I also played a Schilke B5L/B1L combo for about 20yrs. The Celebration suits me better than any of these.
_________________
Crazy Nate

" Strive to have a great day, full of learning and enlightenment, using the mind that God gave you." - CTM
"Before playing your horn each time, grab the nuts and twist 'em tight" - Tom Turner

_dcstep · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject:

I tried the Celebration again last Saturday with both the #1 and #2 slides. I preferred the #1 slide and think that anyone used to a Bach 37 will have no trouble playing the Celebration with this slide. I think that players that have adapted to the WT may not feel much blow difference, but those of us that have not adapted to the WT will find the Celebration much, much easier to play than the WT.

We switched between the Celebration and my Schilke B1. The tone with the #1 slide was very close to the Schilke, maybe just a touch more brilliant. The #2 was a little broader, but not a lot. I felt like the more open blow was a disadvantage for me and preferred both the blow and tone of the #1.

If I hadn't found my B1 I'd be considering the Celebration along with the 8335LA.

Dave

Dave
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Schilke '60 B1 -- 229 Bach-C/19-350 Blackburn -- Lawler TL Cornet -- Conn V1 Flugel -- Stomvi Master Bb/A/G picc -- GR mpcs
[url=http://www.pitpops.com] The PitPops[/url]
Rocky Mountain Trumpet Fest

tommy t. · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:43 pm Post subject:

_dcstep · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:08 am Post subject:

janet842 · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:48 am Post subject:

Hi, Dave -- you liked the #2 slide better. It was a virtually identical match to the sound of your Shilke. The #1 was brighter.

Janet
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Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in an attractive, well preserved body–but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"