I visited Spada!

[annapurna]

Hello,

maybe someone is interested in my experience with my visit of Spada in Switzerland. So here is my report:
I was there for 4 hours and even as a mediocre amateur as I am, I wasn´t a second class costumer at all. Vincenz Spada was very kind, helpful an has very good ears.

First I tested a Large-Bore valve block. Not my cup of tea. The sound was a bit stuffy and dull. So I stayed with a ML-bore.
The first bell he gave to me was a 43 made of goldbrass (tuning bell of course). It had a wonderful rich and "gentle" sound. I played a couple of others (standart 43, 43 heavy, 37, 72...) but my choice was the 43 goldbrass bell.

For a leadpipe I choose a 2L. Which is an exact conical manufactured leadpipe out of nickel silver (very hard and consistent). For me it has the best balance between free blowing and resistance.
My choice for a tuning slide was a hand hammered fully rounded slide also made out of nickel silver and with one brace. On all Spada-Bach trumpets you can change the position of the braces and remove them.
You cannot image how the sound changes, when you change the position of the brace between the slide of the first valve and the bell. (I didin´t even know that I have such a brace at my old Bach) If you push it towards the valve block, the sound gets a little more brilliant and lighter. If you pull it back, your tone gets warmer and richer.

I decided not to get heavy valve caps. There was no change for the better. I only have a heavy ring in the bottom of my third valve. BTW Vincenz Spada told me, that a heavy cap on the second valve does more harm than do good for most of the players. And you should tighten the second valve cap the most, than the first one and the third one just a little, so that it is just closed.
What can I say? I have now a wonderful Bach-Spada here at home, that is better in every way than my old Bach and it even looks beautiful. It is half silver and half gold plated. I can test it for one week and can then decide if I keep it or not.

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If you are in Switzerland you have to visit Spada! They make a great job there and it is a lot of fun and an enrichment for every trumpet player. Also try their BJ trumpets. They are just amazing. What a sound!
For more information check their website SPADA MUSIC AG or just contact them.
Next Tuesday I will visit Thein in Bremen to test their MH-One (The Matthias Höfs Model)
Greetings from Germany

Annapurna

PS: Sorry for my English

[Mlockman]

Thank You Sir
Very interesting. Any insight into the rubber o rings on the bottom valve caps?
_________________
Bach Strad 37/25
Bach Strad LT 43 /25
Bach Strad C 229 25H CL,
Couesnon Flugelhorn 1970
Warburton WCC mouthpiece
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
AFM

[annapurna]

@Mlockman

I am sorry. We didn´t talk about the rubber rings. Monettes have them too. Could it be that they intensify or absorb vibrations?

[Mlockman]

Yes I assume they do something. I have experimented with them but could not pinpoint a conclusion.
Thanks
_________________
Bach Strad 37/25
Bach Strad LT 43 /25
Bach Strad C 229 25H CL,
Couesnon Flugelhorn 1970
Warburton WCC mouthpiece
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
AFM

[James Becker]

For those that interested in learing more about the use of O-rings on botton valve caps you can read the article titled "Adjusting Valve Cap Tension" written by Dan Duncan on our Osmun wepage.

While studying at NEC with Charlie Schlutert Dan became familiar with the use of O-rings on bottom caps. Here he explains the process of adjusting valve cap tension as practiced by Monette players.
http://www.osmun.com/reference/adjustin.htm

I hope this is helpful.
_________________
James Becker
Brass Repair Specialist Since 1977
Osmun Music Inc.
77 Powdermill Road Rt.62
Acton, MA 01720
www.osmun.com

Our workshop is as close as your nearest UPS store https://www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_US

[Zenith]

Nice horn really! But it's too bad that their site doesn't have an English version...
Can Mr. Spada speak eng by the way?

Thanks for sharing with us your experience really! A gorgeous horn indeed.

Zenith

[annapurna]

Hi Zenith!

I am sure, that Mr. Spada, at least Vincenz, the son of the founder René Spada, speaks english. Just contact him via e-mail.

[annapurna]

I finally got my 20 year old Bach done by Spada!

Here it is:

[lh]

Nice horn! Looks really well done.

Rereading this 2007 thread was good too. I shall drop in on the Egger workshop in Basel in late July myself.
_________________
Eclipse Enigma Bb trumpet 2011
Olds Super Bb trumpet 1958
Eclipse Red Flugelhorn 2011
Selmer Paris model 59 Piccolo 1977
Conn New Invention Cornet 1913

[Oncewasaplayer]

Thanks for posting these photos and sharing the story. Sweet looking horn. On the top of the tuning slide, where it enters the leadpipe, I see an adjustable clamp. Can you explain its purpose? Thanks!
_________________
Getzen 800DLX cornet
Selmer Sigma trumpet

[monkeymark]

[annapurna]

[jvand678]

what a gorgeous looking horn! I haven't been fortunate enough to try the Bb but how does it compare to the standard Bach (for projection purposes) now that it has the removable bell setup?

jv
_________________
Joe Vandiver

[cshuetva]

[quote="monkeymark"]

[david mickley]

I use an o-ring on my 3rd valve. to me it helps to lock in my pitch. it may just be a placebo but it works for me.
_________________
Chicago Benge 33XX
Burbank Benge 5X 59XX
Yamaha Flugel 231
assorted other horns

[Elianto]

Seems it works well is important the o ring but the bottom caps too!!!

[derboris]

Spada makes Excellent trumpets)