DEG Custom Signature 2000 characteristics?

Uberopa

Hi All,
Perhaps our reesident member Tony Scodwell can kick in here. Years ago, a friend of mine bought my DEG Caravelle flugelhorn then bought a DEG pocket trumpet and loved them both. He went on to purchase a Signature 2000 and put away a very nice Seller 24B lightweight.
They come up used from time to time. I was unable to play my friend's so I am curious as to how they play. Were they similar to an Eterna Severinson or did they have their own voice? Thanks to anyone with information about this fine trumpet.

James Becker · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 7:50 pm Post subject:

There were two DEG 2000 Signature Bb models, same horn with two different bell designations, NY and LA. The NY bell was broad and heavy intended to be more characteristically Bach like, while the LA bell was lighter and more focused to produce a more commercial sound. These were made in the the Getzen family's Allied factory in Elkhorn, WI. Many of the valve parts are common with early Monette and later Getzen-Canadian Brass trumpets and cornets.

I'm sure Tony has more insight as he was involved in product design and was a DEG endorsing artist at the time.

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

Uberopa · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 8:56 pm Post subject:

I was unaware of the two different bell models. Thanks so much.

steevo · Veteran Member Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 454

You may find some items of interest in this old thread:
https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=125784

I own a Signature 2000 LA, and really enjoy it. My playing is far from "commercial", but this horn seems to work well in any setting.

Uberopa · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2018 1:52 pm Post subject:

That was also helpful. How does one tell whether irt is a NY or LA?
Is it noted on the bell or in the serial number? Thx

steevo · Veteran Member Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 454

Tony Scodwell · Heavyweight Member Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 1961

For sure I was involved in these trumpets that Don Getzen wanted to make. My involvement started when Jerry Callet came through Las Vegas with his first entry into the trumpet manufacturing world and I invited him to bring his horns to the Frontier Hotel band room where I was working to give them a go. As always Jerry was super enthusiastic and after playing his horns, I bought one. At the time I endorsed Getzen instruments (not to be confused with Don's company DEG) and I asked that my name not be used with Jerry's horns. I really don't remember how I figured out that Jerry's horns were being made at Don's brother Bob's plant down the road (Allied) who also made Don's complete line of marching instruments, but knowing Don through the earlier years at Getzen before he left to start DEG, I gave him a call and asked if he'd be interested in starting a line of pro trumpets. It turns out that he was after dealing with Blessing, Wiilson and some others making what were called Donald E. Getzen Signature horns. I made several trips to Lake Geneva, WI and started putting together what became the new DEG Signature 2000 line-up of trumpets, cornets and flugelhorns. The two trumpet models were the NY model with a 25 gauge 37 mandrel bell and the LA with the same bell Monette was using at the time both made by Kiefer in Elkhart, Indiana. Valves were made in-house at Allied and for me, were the parts that needed improving the most. Allied bought Monel tubing that was centerless ground to their specs and fitted to the casings by tumbling in a big drum similar to a jewelry tumbler and assembled after the ports had been drilled and silver soldered in the Monel tubing. The valves did not get lapped in the casings and in spite of this, they seemed to work OK. On my horns and the horns I had picked out for others, I personally hand lapped the valves for smoother action. Of course this "loosened" up the already marginal fit but as I said, in spite of this the horns played very good. Trumpets and cornets used the Allied valves but piccolos and flugelhorns used Bauerfeind valves which was owned by Wiilson at that time. Most of the trumpets were finished in lacquer, both clear and gold tone, and some were silver plated. DEG had lovely cases made which the horns were shipped with. Worth mentioning at this point. William Vacchiano picked up the four valve piccolo at an ITG and asked Don if he could endorse it, unsolicited. I picked one out to send him and I have a copy of the letter he sent Don praising the little horn. Also, the flugelhorn design was carried on with my own Scodwell USA flugelhorn after the new owner of DEG decided not to make brass instruments any longer. Many of the trumpets and cornets were sold in Europe and only 150 piccolos were produced. We did Eb trumpets and cornets as well, the Eb trumpet was based on a design Dick Alright had made using a Bb bell (the 37 mandrel) and the Eb cornets were quite popular in English brass bands. It is advisable to check the mouthpiece receiver end gap on any horn you may find as quality control in this area was slightly suspect.

Tony Scodwell
www.scodwellusa.com

Uberopa · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2018 6:53 pm Post subject:

Well that more than met my expectations. Thank you for such an informative post. I was considering picking one up until an unexpected car repair became a higher priority. Sigh.

digs · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2018 10:06 am Post subject:

There’s one of these for sale in Winnipeg at a local music store, listed on kijiji. It’s the LA. I went to take a look. Overall it looks nice, super lightweight, but I didn’t bother to play it. It literally has zero compression, the loosest valves I’ve ever seen (and I’ve got some vintage horns that are pretty loose.)

Just thought I’d share in case anyone spotted it and was considering pulling the trigger.

Dirk