A LETTER TO FLIP ABOUT THE CELEBRATION

[tom turner]

Hi,

I was planning to do another installment in my continuing review of the new Celebration trumpet by Flip Oakes tonight, but just realized I have an out-of-town rehearsal to attend. For those who don't know, he sent me one of the very first new Celebration model Bb trumpets for testing and evaluation.

Since I don't have time to do the 2nd review tonight, I'm going to instead paste a letter I wrote Flip in the wee hours of early Sunday morning. I just HAD to tell him what happened at Saturday's gig. Hope you all enjoy it:
____________

Hi,

It’s 1:14AM on Sunday morning and I just got back in town from my gig, a four-hour big band job. Since I’m still “buzzin’ with excitement and energy I thought I’d drop you a quick line.

Tonight I really focused on the Celebration, planning on primarily using it and only going back to the WT as a reference every once in a while. On a job last weekend I split the time both ways.


I’m really, REALLY liking the horn, and tonight just solidified that feeling.

Flip, THIS HORN COULD BE YOUR #1 SELLER SOON! It really could!

You and I both have the same feeling about the WT, and that could never change . . . but the new horn is so right for so many more people, and also so right for many applications.

I’m really liking the focus and projection of the new horn in a powerful ensemble setting. Some of the band members were telling me tonight it sounded like I had more power and projection. On my solos (I’m on the ride book) I’m able to punch through the band more with it, and the extra brightness helps it cut, with less energy expended to get the sound out. The horn also has a very compelling sound to it.

I’m trying to think, is it more like a nice 72 sound . . . or is it that nice Benge 5X sound I’m hearing? In any event, it sure is a nice horn.


THE THIRD SET . . . I HANDED IT TO RAY . . .

I asked the lead player to try it so I could listen to it, and also for his opinion. He’s a very fine, very solid player on any book we’ve used him on and at age 59 he’s in good, solid playing shape with a good, clear tone. Almost immediately we did “Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White,” where he has the solo.

When he finished the song, all four of the trombone players TURNED AROUND (the trumpets were behind them on risers) and asked him if he was playing a different horn. He asked, “Why?” and they replied that it sounded so much BETTER and purer. He said, “Really,” to which they said almost in unison, “REALLY!”

THEY DID NOT KNOW HE HAD JUST CHANGED HORNS until then. They proceeded to really make a fuss over the sound of the trumpet vs. his old one! They also asked who made it and I had to explain who Flip Oaks was. After that, I couldn’t get it back from him all night long. Please keep in mind, these guys are the top players in our geographic area and each guy is a “ringer.” They know when something is special.

Instantly, our whole trumpet section sound improved a lot too. He had the whole band buzzing once he quietly went to the Celebration. This band is the best large ensemble big band I’ve ever played with, anywhere. The cats are all veteran players who have solid chops not and the charts are mostly really demanding “barnburners.”

Ray’s been playing an early Elkhart Bach 43/43 since his undergrad days as a Music Major at Iowa in the mid-late 60s, and that horn has earned him a lot of “bacon” as an Air Force musician, and since then as a freelance player. The 43 is having some valve issues, and he was telling me before the gig that he’s thinking about having Rich Ita rebuild it for him. He said he also has an early Elkhart 37 that needs some work too that’s his back-up horn of four decades.

Since he held onto the Celebration for the rest of the gig, and didn’t chicken out and return to his old horn when the really tough, screaming songs came up, he got to experience how wonderful the Oakes horns play when the parts get tough and the chops are tired. I told him at the onset, “Ray, do NOT try to muscle this horn like your Strad. You do NOT have to push against it so hard to make it work. Just relax and blow and the horn will do the work for you.”

He got to experience a real revelation after that, and he got really giddy after the end of a certain number (where his High F at the end of the piece rang out easier and clearer than he’d ever experienced it). “Did you hear that F? I’m NEVER able to make it sound like that at the end of that piece, in practice or on gigs!” Since he practices so hard all the time, I knew this had special significance for him. I simply smiled and said, “Yes, I know exactly the feeling.”

It was nice having him have such clear, focused high E, F and G sound, for I sometimes am above him doing some of the really high register stuff . . . and the section sound was so much nicer having us both on Flip Oakes trumpets! The whole trumpet section noticed it too. Both other trumpeters were also impressed with the sound, and how the horn plays. Our new player on third is also a former, retired Air Force trumpeter with solid lead chops so between the three of us, we can generate a lot of heat when we need it . . . (but always smooth and round and in good taste, I hope).


I’m glad you mentioned that I could keep the Celebration a bit longer tonight, for I was going to ask if I could. Ray has a brass quintet rehearsal in a week, followed by a performance with his 20 year-old brass quartet. These guys make $500 each on some of their gigs and the other trumpeter is the professor of trumpet at a major university. He’s concerned if the horn would blend with the professor’s. I told him, “Ray, a person will return to his core sound within 2-3 weeks, whether it’s a mouthpiece change or a horn change. Don’t worry about that, whether we want to or not, this is something that we do because of the sound “model” that we have imprinted in your mind and ears.”

I also reminded him that the bell is basically designed from the ______ and thus it would surely blend well in the group because of this!


It is exactly for folks like Ray . . . really fine, mature player with chops who have been playing conventional horns, that the Celebration should become a really hot seller for you. The transition is fast and easy, the feel is somewhat similar yet easier blowing . . . and the sound and focus is to die for!


Again, I’m liking the Celebration tremendously too, for what it is giving me in the ensemble. I may be selling off some things pretty soon to get together some money to get my own. The horn is simply that special and compelling! It may be that light, bright, vintage “Benge” sound of my past . . . but without all the quirks!

Anyway, I just wanted to write you now. I’m really excited about the potential of this awesome instrument!

Thanks for “listening!” Hope the remainder of your weekend is great!

Warmest regards always,

T.

[Robert Rowe]

I'm convinced, Tom.

Robt

[Jim-Wilson]

Tom,

Thanks very much for such a great review. I was fortunate to be able to play a Wild Thing and Celebration in Flip's Shop about 10 days ago. They are both truly awesome horns. I like the very open play and feel of the Wild Thing over the Celebration but can certainly understand how someone used to the more "conventional" feel of many horns might prefer the Celebration. Your review will be very helpful for those who would benefit from the change but don't want to stray too far from home base in the feel of the horn.

BTW, you and others are exactly correct. Flip is a very pleasant, gracious man who you would feel very comfortable doing business with. I'm not exactly in the market right now - I ended up with a new Harrelson 909 which I received just a couple of weeks before visiting Flip and am loving it as well. But, Flip's horn's are great.

Jim

[Dan O'Donnell]

Tom,

WOW...it sounds like a really GREAT sounding horn for "2-3 weeks"

Jim,

Based on your response, it appears that you've had your Harrelson 909 for at least 2-3 weeks.

I have (2) questions for you...

1.) Are you back to your old "core" sound yet?
2.) Do you use a Megatone MP?

Note: I have played my Harrelson 909 Mod. for over a year and I am still amazed at the improved darker tone quality!
_________________
God Bless,
Dan O'Donnell

"Praise Him with the sound of the Trumpet:..."
Psalms 150:3

[tom turner]

[ldwoods]

[tom turner]

[tom turner]

Hi Larry,

I thought I'd better add this update, as it relates to your question too!

Last night I made a 150 mile round trip trek to play a rehearsal that included the same fellow who loved the horn.

I'd planned to play the Celebration last night but left my trumpet mouthpiece case at home (in my Wild Thing case). Bummer! So, I used my WT short cornet instead . . . a horn I dearly love anyway.

So, he said, "Can I try it again?" He played it all night long at rehearsal, and it only made him even more excited about the horn. Heck, it ought to have done this, for he's never sounded this good and precise, and we've played together for several years.

Sadly (for my bank account), I don't think Flip is getting this one back! I'm liking it waaaay too much already. I love the different blow, and really nice, clear and focused sound, and I see it as being a perfect horn for some of the ensembles I play in!

Flip has sent a few of these new horns out to some of his trusted supporters for testing and to gather opinions from other players in different areas of the country.

If I decide to keep this one, like I think I am, I'll be the third person now who has done so . . . counting a really fine trumpeter/performer/recording artist who just decided he wanted the one sent to him to evaluate and give feedback!

That is saying an awful lot about a new model when people who have already invested in expensive horns they love by that maker, and who had no interest in getting another Bb trumpet, decide they have to make room for a new model too!

It may be time to call the bank . . . and start sweet-talking my very wonderful and supportive wife!

Hopefully, someone near you will get ahold of one pretty soon. If you get to try one, seriously, don't be surprised if you end up wanting one too, no matter what it takes!

Sincerely,

Tom Turner

[Don Herman rev2]

Tom (Janet, Bill, Dave, et. al.),

How does the Celebration's feel compare to the WT when the Celebration has e.g. the #1 and/or #2 slide compared to the WT with the #1 and #2 slide? For instance, how close is the WT's "blow" with the #2 or #3 slide compared to the Celebration with its #1 and #2 slides? How about getting around on the horn, e.g. slurs and technical passages?

And yes, I know I need to get up and try Janet's, but I've just been too swamped lately (haven't had a day off work since the new year!) I have a concert Sunday and didn't want to be trying new horns, but maybe the weekend after...

Curious - Don
_________________
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music" - Aldous Huxley

[Jim-Wilson]

Don,

All the others have much more experience on the horns than I. But, via first impressions 1) On the Wild Thing the #1 Tuning Slide (most open) is what worked best for me. With the #2 slide in the WT, the horn did not speak as easily for me. 2) On the Celebration I could play with either slide but preferred the more open set-up. They both are marvelous horns though I preferred the more open sound and feel of the WT. I'm certain this will definitely be an "each to his own thing" and impressions will vary from player to player no matter their level of experience.

Jim

[Don Herman rev2]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the reply! That helps, though I suppose should have been obvious (a WT player using #1 would prefer the #1 on the Celebration as well). I use the #1 on mine mostly, though have switched around a bit recently to alter the sound and ease of playing for certain situations. I am playing around with the standard #3 at the moment, but am leaving #1 in for Sunday's concert as I am most familiar (i.e. comfortable) with that.

I left out a bit in my post that many TH'rs will know but isn't obvious from my post... To clarify, I own a WT (since '98, and NTC, and WT flugelhorn, and WT cornet -- so far!) so I am familiar with how the WT plays. What I am curious about is how the feel, not necessarily the sound (I think I have a pretty good idea about that), changes when comparing the WT with "tighter" slides (#2 and #3) vs. the Celebration with open (#1) and tighter (#2) slides.

I am thinking along the lines of a horn that provides a little more support for orchestral work, and the Celebration may fit the bill. However, I find that swapping slides and/or mouthpieces in my WT, along with the right frame of mind, is doing just fine for now, and I don't have time to practice too many horns. The conductor has commented favorably upon my sound several times, so for me, for now, my WT is fine.

Plus, the PTBs (powers-that-be) put me in the hot seat this year, so it's up to the section to blend with me, not the other way around. (KIDDING -- no flames, please!)

But, I am curious... - Don
_________________
"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music" - Aldous Huxley

[Jim-Wilson]

Don,

Again, the others will likely have much more to offer than I. But, I do have the distinct impression that you have more to "push against" with the Celebration though it is not tight. The sound is definitely a bit more mainstream but I'm pretty certain I could make the WT sound similar and blend in most any setting. I only played with the #1 and #2 tuning slides in the Celebration and I felt fine with both of them.

I'll be interested to see what the others have to say.

Jim

[beartrumpet74]

Tom -
nice review, I always look forward to reading your posts!
Always insightful and geared toward giving out reasonable and non-flamer type information.
Thanks Man
Matt

[janet842]

[ldwoods]

I am in San Diego this week on business and have talked with Flip about making the trip up to Oceanside tomorrow night. I can not wait to check out the Celebration. Though I am no where near the player of most others on this thread, I will "weigh in" my thoughts, from the perspective of a lesser player.

Stay tuned....
_________________
Larry Woods
LDWoods

[tom turner]

[ldwoods]

I am exhausted, not feeling real well, but since I promised an update, here it is.

I really liked the Celebration. Did I buy it? No. Playing it next to the Wild Thing, listening to Flip play the two horns, I fell back in love with the WT I sold a few months ago.

I bought the Wild Thing. Being Mr. Cheapo, I usually regret spending that kind of cash, for anything, right after I make the purchase. I have no regrets. I can not wait to get home and really get some practice time in on my new WT!

Later, maybe I will go into detail on the differences. For now, they are both great, I just like the WT feel and sound better.
_________________
Larry Woods
LDWoods

[richardwy]

Wow Tom. Thanks for posting the letter and your lucid and apt comments.

All the Best,

Richard Oliver
_________________
Richard Oliver -

[tom turner]

Congratulations Larry on returning to your "lost love!" I once had a horn that was really special to me, and I mourned it's sale for twenty years.

I'm sure your new WT will be that horn you'll never part with.

Welcome back "home" to the "family!"

T.

[crzytptman]