Courtois

shasy · New Member Joined: 04 Dec 2009 Posts: 5 Location: Maine

I am a Music Major at USM in Maine and I am now on the hunt for a new Bb trumpet. I own a custom Bach 37 which is great but was wondering about the Courtois evolution series trumpets.
Does anyone have any thoughts on these instruments? Also what is the difference between the Evo I, II, III, and IV?
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sunburstbasser · Heavyweight Member Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 1194

I seem to recall that as you got a higher "evolution," the weight was increased. I've played them and they are top-notch instruments. They are closer to other French designs, maybe a bit like Selmers, than to American horns. I recall the Courtois trumpets having a dark sound, but not smoky jazz club dark.

The Dallas Brass is using Courtois exclusively now and sound fabulous on them.
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John Mock · Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:03 pm Post subject:

Uh--the Evolution IV is back to a more "standard" design style and weight.

I have not played any of the Evolution Series, nor have I ever even seen one, but from what I've read there were allegedly some intonation issues with the Evolution I series, which were fixed in the later series...

I've played two different Courtois 311TC trumpets (one of their top pro models prior to the Evolution Series) for much of the last 10 years or so. They are wonderful sounding horns with a full, dark sound throughout the entire range--even up to double A--but if you were to play lead trumpet on a 4 hour gig, you would get tired out. At .463 bore they are very free blowing, flexible instruments--but require air in the high range.

Perhaps that is one reason most of the newer Courtois trumpets are smaller than .463 bore?

My 2c.

John
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John Mock · Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:05 pm Post subject:

One year ago I was told the Dallas Brass was using the new Accent trumpets exclusively.

Did they switch to Courtois since?

Edit: According to their website they are showing Courtois and Besson trademarks and instruments, so they must no longer be using Accent instruments.

John
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sunburstbasser · Heavyweight Member Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 1194

It was news to me. I saw them about a month or so ago and they had the Courtois logo in the programs and even plugged them in the middle of the show. I also thought they were still using Accent, as that was what I had last heard. I don't remember anything about when they switched but I don't think it has been that long ago.

To be fair, these guys would sound wonderful on anything, but the broad warm trumpet sounds were at least partly the horns. They had three guys switching around on the trumpets when I saw them and "broad" and "warm" were the primary things the three had in common tonewise.
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Maarten van Weverwijk · Heavyweight Member Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 3377

http://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=93067

TheTrumpetShop · Veteran Member Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 126

If you want a Courtois, get the Evo IV. You can't go wrong... great horn. Go to Brass Gurus/Peninsula Music in California & tell 'em I sent you. They have great deals.

cleanhead77@embarqmail · Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:44 am Post subject:

Most of those EVOs are so heavy you almost need a tripod to play one. You'd think with all that weight they'd be hard blowing, but I found them to be quite responsive.
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laurent · Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:58 am Post subject: