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valvepimp Veteran Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2003 Posts: 496 Location: New York, NY
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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 6:44 am Post subject: |
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I have an Olds Ambassador cornet with one of the wide mouthpiece receivers. I am told one of the solutions is to use a flugelhorn mouthpiece instead, and that the fit of *SOME* flugel mouthpieces will work well. My question is which brands fit best? After I determine which brand works (with your help) is there a particular size which may sound best for a cornet? Would larger be better than smaller for a cornet-like sound, or would smaller work better?
Another problem with the pre '54 Ambassadors is the 3rd slide. What are my options for eventually getting some system in place to turn it into a functioning tuning slide? Do most players of these older Ambassadors just live with a fixed 3rd slide and blow perenially sharp low D's and C#s? I'd hate to change the bracing around, yet this seems exactly what must be done in order to be able to have the slide accept a thumb ring, and even then, the slide may have to be re-cut in order to have it move in a more optimal place than the front-most third of the slide.
I am thinking that any such modifications are more trouble than they are worth and would deface the concept of the older Ambassador, but I'd love to hear any solutions that other pre '54 Ambassador cornet owners employ. _________________
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wardsd Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Mar 2003 Posts: 504
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valvepimp Veteran Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2003 Posts: 496 Location: New York, NY
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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 7:23 am Post subject: |
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Thank you for that page. I have seen Alan's site, but never noticed that particular page. It was helpful. Now all I need is to hear about the 3rd slide solutions, if any. _________________
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pfrank Heavyweight Member
Joined: 21 Feb 2002 Posts: 3523 Location: Boston MA
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Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 7:45 am Post subject: |
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I use a Stork 5FLS or you can use a Kanstul 119 flug. backbore (tighter than the 112) with any Warburton compatable top. Then you are not stuck with a flug deep V if you want a brighter sound. Warburton and Curry make shallow(er) flug mps too. |
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mulligan stew Heavyweight Member
Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 1846
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 3:40 am Post subject: |
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I have a '57 ambassador cornet--so i don't have the large receiver problem, but do understand the third tuning slide issue. I'm sure you've noticed that the slide itself is longer than the usual, tunable third valve slide. The makers sought to alleviate the sharpness issue somewhat by doing this. Listening to it, you find it's not that far off--certainly noticeably less than a modern third slide un-tuned. The key is simply to learn to lip these notes into proper intonation--not a bad thing to do anyway. |
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Andy Cooper Heavyweight Member
Joined: 15 Nov 2001 Posts: 1804 Location: Terre Haute, IN USA
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2003 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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Could you live with a tunable 1st slide instead? I think Allied Supply used to stock a clamp on 1st valve thumb hook.Have your local music store go through their catalog. I had one made for my '51 Conn Vic rather than mess with a vintage horn. It clamps( a little like a trombone lyre) on where the crook joins with the slide tube. You could try one on the 3rd slide but the slides would need to move very freely for it to work on that long a slide. |
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valvepimp Veteran Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2003 Posts: 496 Location: New York, NY
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Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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It is a very long 3rd slide, I have noticed this, Mulligan. Still sharp on the low D, but a bit less so than other horns. My Fullerton Ambassador has the same length slide as my Los Angeles does, so they kept it long even though they added a tunable slide. I have been having good luck lipping the notes into place thus far on the older horn. Been using a standard cornet mouthpiece that seats too deeply, but it works, sort of, despite some intonation problems. I will be getting a Flugelhorn mouthpiece in the mail shortly to use.
Andy, a first slide clampable thumb ring sounds like a great idea, especially since my LA Ambassador's first slide moves as freely as if it came with a saddle.
Thanks to both of you for the above suggestions. _________________
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