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cmac3317 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 522 Location: Raleigh, NC
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:29 pm Post subject: Selmer Radial trumpet |
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your thoughts please... good all around horn? _________________ "eventually, the listeners move right along with the musicians." -john coltrane
www.christianmcivormusic.com |
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cjl Heavyweight Member
Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 2421 Location: TN
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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Not a bad horn. Some like them a lot.
I got mine in '73 or '74 when I was a high school junior. I stepped up to a Bach Strad after college in '79 and never looked back.
I had the ML bore radial (no markings on the leadpipe). The horn was not balanced well; it always felt bell-heavy. I also had problems with the 4th-line D being flat.
The horn served me well and I still have it. The valves are very worn (I loaned it out for a couple of years and it had a rough life there). I've toyed with the thought of having it rebuilt. But for the playing I do (all legit) the Bach Strad is a better horn.
That's all my opinion, of course.
-- Joe |
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forrest Heavyweight Member
Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 695 Location: St Louis MO
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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I'm somewhat biased:
But my ML bore Bb Radial is the finest horn I've ever played. I've owned it since new in 1971.
As much as I love the LB C Radial, it's for sale. They are great horns, with spectacular valve action and an amazing sound. Try one and see. There's a "new/old stock" one on eBay for $3500 (!) which I doubt will ever sell (item # 160304524345), but they're great horns nonetheless.
Last edited by forrest on Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Trptbenge Heavyweight Member
Joined: 15 Feb 2002 Posts: 2390 Location: Atlanta, GA
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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The Selmer Radial, which was the successor to the K -Modified, was/is a great horn. I believe Maurice Andre was involved in its design. The valve design was supposed to help fingering through a more natural movement of the fingers. One side effect of the design was it had improved intonation.
It is a fine all around horn. It has a slightly more open blow then the K-Modified. Like any horn it has to be right for you. When I was in college I played a K Modified and a friend of mine played a Radial. I liked his horn but liked mine better and he liked mine but preferred his Radial. If you can find one in great shape it is worth getting. Great sound, intonation and the incredibly fast Selmer valves.
Mike |
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Bucaneer61 Veteran Member
Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 230 Location: Buckhannon, WV
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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I have two (see sig.) Both are great horns. Love em both. The C I got from Forrest (see above post} What a horn. They each work for me.
Michael _________________ Selmer Radial Bb ML - Jan., 1972
Selmer Radial C XL - Jan., 1972
Getzen 580S cornet - c. 1973
Blessing Artist Flugelhorn, rose brass bell
Accent Picc by B & S
Conn 28B Concert Grand Bb - 1925
Martin Handcraft Imperial - 1937 |
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forrest Heavyweight Member
Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 695 Location: St Louis MO
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:17 am Post subject: |
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The C that Bucaneer bought from me is an XL bore. Plays like a million bucks but I just couldn't put enough air through it. Kinda neat that it's just a few serial numbers off from his Bb.
The bell on the Radials is 5" or slightly more if I recall. That likely makes a difference in projection. |
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weezintrumpeteer Veteran Member
Joined: 15 Nov 2001 Posts: 365 Location: SF, Ca
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Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:45 am Post subject: |
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I just bought one a month or two ago and couldn't be happier. I don't know what specific model it is, but it has a large bell (5"?), large bore and is in raw brass. I play it in combination with a Curry 3TC mouthpiece and the horn has a warm, dark fat sound.
I have played it back to back with a post-war (non Kanstul) Besson Brevete, 1947 LB Committee Deluxe, and a LB Besson Sov. cornet and I definitely like the Radial the best (with the Committee coming in second...although it depends on what I'm playing). Great valves (mine were re-done) and just smooth all around. I do find it slightly bell-heavy (and overall heavier than all of my other instruments) but I don't see that as a problem. It's a great all around horn. I use it for everything from Arban's solos to smokey jazz ballads. I love it.
Buy one! If you don't like it, you can always sell it again for how much you paid (if you get a good price).
Oh, and it looks great too
_________________ '70 Selmer Radial
'70's Getzen Eterna Cornet
'47 Martin Committee Deluxe #3
'06 Monette B993 |
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