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carolbrass: good or bad?


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nicklambo700
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 9:46 pm    Post subject: carolbrass: good or bad? Reply with quote

I've been looking into these horns and they look and sound absolutely incredible. Just wanted to know what anyone's personal opinions are. Thanks.
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zackh411
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 10:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

All of my experiences have been positive. I've played their "lowest of the low" Bb student trumpet, and it plays like a more expensive student model Yamaha.
I have their lowest-end pro C trumpet. The intonation is great, and it sounds and works very well. My only complaint is that the valve slides don't work as smoothly as I like. They move smoothly, but it's hard to get them going. Should be an easy thing to get fixed though.
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MacMichael
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 11:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, nicklambo,
the search function on this forum might be something for you to consider...

Other thanthat, I am very happy with my Carol Brass horns,
they are definitely an excellent bang for the buck.
My 3880 SLB cornet plays better than it should at that price,
and the 5000L-YST trumpet is simply amazing.
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StupidBrassObsession
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 11:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

zackh411 wrote:
All of my experiences have been positive. I've played their "lowest of the low" Bb student trumpet, and it plays like a more expensive student model Yamaha.
I have their lowest-end pro C trumpet. The intonation is great, and it sounds and works very well. My only complaint is that the valve slides don't work as smoothly as I like. They move smoothly, but it's hard to get them going. Should be an easy thing to get fixed though.


Interesting that you mention this. I have a CTR-4000 C trumpet and the third slide is a little stiff on it just like you described. But I recently purchased a CTR-5060(H) Bb trumpet and the third slide is very smooth, fast and free.

The valves on the 5060(h) are a lot nicer than on the C trumpet as well, and I was happy with the C trumpet's valves.


But yeah, I like the feel and sound of the 5060(H) the most out of the limited trumpets that I've tried, which include a Yamaha 6335JII (James Morrison) and a 8310z (Bobby Shew).

The thing I like a lot about the 5060(H) is that it's quite a Chameleon, much more than the other two trumpets. What I mean is this I find it a lot easier to change the sound and to play at different dynamics with that sound.

Really nice instruments. The only thing I will say is that the intonation with the more rounded tuning slide requires you to be careful with the D/Eb/E at the top of the staff as they sit a little more noticeably under pitch than on the Shew...

But the Shew has a squarer tuning slide, and with the square slide in in the 5060(h), the intonation is the same.

It's quite possible from what I've read on here that this sort of thing could be easily fixed (?) by a different mouthpiece or checking the 'gap', but I haven't really explored either.

But there are lots of posts and reviews about them both here and on TrumpetMaster. There's also some recordings of people playing them around the place... Most notably:
Trent Austin:
http://austincustombrass.mybigcommerce.com/carol-brass-5060h-gss-trumpet-in-lacquer/

And the Guy from HornTrader, whatever his name is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxEp4rRBBT4

I bought mine from Thomann's who seem to have the best prices for non-US customers as there's no tax on your price and international flat rate shipping. For US customers, I think Trent Austin works out cheaper because of the free shipping?
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fredo
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

On my 3 Carol horns the slides are perfect but i've no C trumpet.

The workmanship is perfect, intonation very good for the 3 horns.

Some seems to do not like the Flugel, mine is perfect but very open and need acclimation.

The Carol Brass 5000L YLS is a powerful open horn with very good intonation and clean slotting and articulation between notes with tight slotting (rigid ?) à la Bach. (less with the round tuning slide that i prefer)

I simply prefer to play my Calicchio despite the need of more effort to play in tune (wide slots) because of its sound and flexibility (à la Committee !)

The 5000 remain my backup but i play it regularly at home and like this horn.

The price of this trumpet (Thomann) is simply incredible.
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trumpaholic
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 4:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I first bought a 6280H GSS, outstanding horn with excellent slides and valves, superb intonation. Then I bought a 9990H RSM which was even better, again excellent slides and valves, finally I have a 1110L RSM with reverse tuning slide to see if the blow was any more open than the other two. All horns have better than average intonation. I have a couple of really good sound clips that I can email to anyone wanting to know what to expect from Carol Brass. A good friend, William Sperandei who makes a living playing jazz in Canada and internationally as well recorded them in my home. I have sold two of these horns and have one left to sell which is listed here before I order a custom Carol in the .465 bore with the 72 bell flare.

You can tell the pride and passion these are built with when you open the case. Highly recommended in my opinion regardless of price, after all, it is what comes out the bell that matters.

Feel free to drop me a email and I will forward these two clips, one of the 6280H GSS and the other the 1110L RSM so that you can hear the great timbre!

email is merlejenkins@sympatico.ca
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gbshelbymi
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 5:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a 3880 cornet that's really nice. Great valves, nice tone. Slides are super quick. Great horn for the coin especially.
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Brad361
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 11:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I briefly owned a CTR 5000L, and was VERY impressed with it. The only reason I still do not own it is because I had a chance to trade it in on a 1980 LA Benge, which is now my second (sometimes main) horn.

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SatchmoGillespie
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 12:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I own a 6280 that I traded in my Bach 43 in for and I love it. It's taken me a while to get the valves broken in but I've started to get them where I want them and it's been great. Probably will be even better once I get a valve alignment.

I also have the 5000-YST that I got used for a great deal. It's a very nice playing horn as well and I actually liked it so much that I have put my 1600 up for sale.
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trumpaholic
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have PVA/s done on all my horns, typically the Carol horns are very close on the up stroke, like about .003 out, but the down stroke is usually about .025 high, and it does make a difference to have them professionally aligned. This is based on 3 Carol horns I have had done.
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StupidBrassObsession
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 4:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

SatchmoGillespie wrote:
I own a 6280 that I traded in my Bach 43 in for and I love it. It's taken me a while to get the valves broken in but I've started to get them where I want them and it's been great. Probably will be even better once I get a valve alignment.


Hey, just a quick note - are you regularly cleaning out the valve casing and cleaning the actual valves?

I'm fairly sure the reason why my C-trumpet valves aren't as good as the 5060(H) that I bought is because I played it (the C-trumpet) for a a few days then put it in the case and left for a couple of months.

I'm not sure if it's because they're stainless valves(?), but they seem to initially create a bit of black stuff when first being broken in that needs to be cleaned off regularly. On the C trumpet, because I left it, it's dried on inside the valve holes and it wont come off even with a scrub, so I suspect there is some invisible residue build up on the rest of the valves/casing that need to be properly cleaned off as well and then they'll be back to normal.

It says something about it here:
http://brasscellar.wordpress.com/2012/09/28/how-to-choose-a-carolbrass-trumpet/

Quote:
When you get a new horn – make sure that you rinse out the horn – there is residue that settles in the horn and gets into the valves – be sure to give your horn a rinse through upon receipt of it. Then over the next few weeks be sure to keep the valve casings and valve pistons clean as you will notice black residue in there. Just wipe with a soft cloth – re-oil, and re-insert your valves. Repeat several times over the first few weeks.


I did this faithfully with the Bb-trumpet I bought and the valves work beautifully
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SatchmoGillespie
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 6:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

StupidBrassObsession wrote:
SatchmoGillespie wrote:
I own a 6280 that I traded in my Bach 43 in for and I love it. It's taken me a while to get the valves broken in but I've started to get them where I want them and it's been great. Probably will be even better once I get a valve alignment.


Hey, just a quick note - are you regularly cleaning out the valve casing and cleaning the actual valves?

I'm fairly sure the reason why my C-trumpet valves aren't as good as the 5060(H) that I bought is because I played it (the C-trumpet) for a a few days then put it in the case and left for a couple of months.

I'm not sure if it's because they're stainless valves(?), but they seem to initially create a bit of black stuff when first being broken in that needs to be cleaned off regularly. On the C trumpet, because I left it, it's dried on inside the valve holes and it wont come off even with a scrub, so I suspect there is some invisible residue build up on the rest of the valves/casing that need to be properly cleaned off as well and then they'll be back to normal.

It says something about it here:
http://brasscellar.wordpress.com/2012/09/28/how-to-choose-a-carolbrass-trumpet/

Quote:
When you get a new horn – make sure that you rinse out the horn – there is residue that settles in the horn and gets into the valves – be sure to give your horn a rinse through upon receipt of it. Then over the next few weeks be sure to keep the valve casings and valve pistons clean as you will notice black residue in there. Just wipe with a soft cloth – re-oil, and re-insert your valves. Repeat several times over the first few weeks.


I did this faithfully with the Bb-trumpet I bought and the valves work beautifully


Yeah, I was a little late on that, to be honest. I gave it an initial cleaning and then did it sporadically for a couple of months. Once the valves started to hang a little bit more often, I then got into cleaning the horn on a weekly basis and that's made the valve performance much better. The 5000L-YST that I got already had it's valves broken in and they have been terrific.
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christophac7
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 8:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've had the 6280H for a few months now and absolutely love it, plays better than most Bachs I've played with, and becomes a great lead horn when you put in the round slide. My only issue with it is the slides moved too well, and slipped off my horn when the lock nut was only slightly turned, denting the slide, so I had a repair tech fix the slide and put on a bach slide lock, which solved all the issues.

I've also had the flugelhorn in my sig (can't remember the model number) since February, and love the sound of it, my only issue is the 2nd space A is incredibly sharp, so I have to play 3rd valve with trigger to get it in tune.

But with both of the horns (and I've got one of their Cs coming in next week) the valves and slides are wonderful, with great slotting and price point.
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oliver king
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 8:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I played a 'new' Puje a few months ago that is using a Carol Brass valve set. I wasn't on it long but thought it was a fun (read: different) kind of horn. Great valves - fast & light.
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nicklambo700
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for all of the info guys! Now after doing more research I've narrowed it down to two horns. The 5060H with sterling silver leadpipe heavy model, or the 7770 all yellow brass leightweight model. Any thoughts?
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StupidBrassObsession
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 3:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

nicklambo700 wrote:
Thanks for all of the info guys! Now after doing more research I've narrowed it down to two horns. The 5060H with sterling silver leadpipe heavy model, or the 7770 all yellow brass lightweight model. Any thoughts?


Depends what you wanted it for?

Classical? Jazz Combo? Lead Trumpet? Etc.

You've chosen almost completely opposite models to pick between.

The 5060(H) is designed to be a good jack-of-all-trades I think? Not sure about the 7770
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jblo
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 4:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've special ordered something from CarolBrass that is between those two models you're looking at that I intended to be an all-arounder.

I've got a 7770H-YST. So it's the heavy receiver, conventional tuning slide setup with the lightweight yellow bell. I also ordered it with braced and un-braced slides for a little more versatility. Indeed, this configuration is quite nice for just about anything - It's got some zing but will easily blend in an ensemble.

Take my comments with a grain of salt though... this particular horn is for sale in the marketplace. I'm quite taken with my medium bore CarolBrass and find it too difficult to jump back and forth between the two.
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nicklambo700
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 10:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

StupidBrassObsession wrote:
nicklambo700 wrote:
Thanks for all of the info guys! Now after doing more research I've narrowed it down to two horns. The 5060H with sterling silver leadpipe heavy model, or the 7770 all yellow brass lightweight model. Any thoughts?


Depends what you wanted it for?

Classical? Jazz Combo? Lead Trumpet? Etc.

You've chosen almost completely opposite models to pick between.

The 5060(H) is designed to be a good jack-of-all-trades I think? Not sure about the 7770






Lead trumpet in a jazz band, but all principal player in an ensemble
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Zman
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 12:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think the CTR-5060H would be the better choice.
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Andy Del
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 12:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

nicklambo700 wrote:
Thanks for all of the info guys! Now after doing more research I've narrowed it down to two horns. The 5060H with sterling silver leadpipe heavy model, or the 7770 all yellow brass leightweight model. Any thoughts?

A couple of my students have the 5060 trumpet and it seems to be a good all round instrument. Unless you need something specialised, I'd go for this.

Cheers

Andy
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