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Backup Horn?



 
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Steve A
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Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 1799
Location: Toronto, Canada

PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 6:07 am    Post subject: Backup Horn? Reply with quote

Hi all,

I'm thinking about buying a backup Bb trumpet to keep that my mother's house for the times that I go to visit her, but don't want to pack instruments, etc. I'd probably be playing it every month or so, and would just be looking for an instrument to keep muscle memory and conditioning in good shape - I'd never be looking to perform on it.

Are there any instruments that don't cost an arm and a leg that could be left for 4-6 weeks without being played, or valves oiled, etc., and that would be ready to go when I want them? (And are reasonably in tune, etc.)
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JayKosta
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Joined: 24 Dec 2018
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Location: Endwell NY USA

PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 6:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

For storage like that, I recommend using 'drug store' mineral oil on the slides and valves. It won't get hard or gummy/gooey like slide grease, or dry-out like regular valve oil. Just put a few drops of regular petroleum-based valve oil on the valves and it should be ready to go.

Jay
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Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'.
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Manuel de los Campos
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Joined: 29 Jul 2004
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Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands

PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 6:44 am    Post subject: Re: Backup Horn? Reply with quote

Steve A wrote:
Hi all,
Are there any instruments that don't cost an arm and a leg that could be left for 4-6 weeks without being played, or valves oiled, etc., and that would be ready to go when I want them? (And are reasonably in tune, etc.)


Yes there are

My mother in law lives in the Swiss and every Christmas I go there to celebrate. I left there a Bb trumpet, a very old one named 'Melody Maker Foreign Made' I think it's a B&F make from the 50's or 60's
I play her once a year, I leave her with the valves oiled and slides greased in a closed. When I practice there I use a practice mute

The Melody Maker is a cheap instrument, nothing special but she playes in tune, she playes easy. I found her once in the fruit basked of a friend, he uses her as a trumpet shaped object
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Pete
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Joined: 24 Nov 2001
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Location: Western Massachusetts

PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 6:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Olds Amassador. Excellent low end horn for that purpose.

Pete
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kehaulani
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Joined: 23 Mar 2003
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Location: Hawai`i - Texas

PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 7:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would get a Getzen Capri.
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Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
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Ed Kennedy
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Joined: 15 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 8:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any functional name brand student horn. Use a long-lasting non-volatile valve oil. I like Hetman. Or. do as some of my band directors do over the summer. Pull all the slides and valves and leave the horn apart when it is going to sit for a long time.
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HERMOKIWI
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Joined: 24 Dec 2008
Posts: 2578

PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 9:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another vote for the Olds Ambassador. A quality instrument built like a tank and they're plentiful (which means it's easy to find one at a low price).
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shofarguy
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Joined: 18 Sep 2007
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Location: AZ

PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 9:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sandovalves!

https://sandovalves.com
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Flip Oakes Wild Thing Bb Trumpet in copper
Flip Oakes Wild Thing Flugelhorn in copper


There is one reason that I practice: to be ready at the downbeat when the final trumpet sounds.
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Andy Del
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Joined: 30 Jun 2005
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Location: sunny Sydney, Australia

PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 9:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ANY reasonable instrument can cope with not being played for a few weeks, so this is not a concern. just blow excess moisture out and oil after playing.

As to what brand? Whatever you like. A connoisseur will want the same as their everyday horn. If you have 2 of your go-top axe, leave one at Mom's. I have an Olds recording cornet at my beach house, and will ply on that if I am there and not taking a playing break. It's also useful for sitting in with the local brass band!

If you are on a real budget, then a cheap instrument can do. On a REAL budget, you pack your main horn and take that with you.

Really, this is a first world problem...

cheers

Andy
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brassmusician
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Joined: 25 Feb 2016
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 11:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Never mind having the backup horn at your beach house or your mum's. Have it on the gig! Different situation I know, but this made me think of gig last Sunday when in the middle of the concert a colleague's third valve slide slid out onto the concrete floor, bent it and so horn was unplayable. Fortunately the 2nd trumpet player had a spare horn with her so a quick switch was made. Who takes a spare horn to a gig? - made me think twice - plenty of gigs where it could save a lot of trouble, even if the chances of it being needed are pretty low.
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Brad361
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Joined: 16 Dec 2007
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Location: Houston, TX.

PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 1:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pete wrote:
Olds Amassador. Excellent low end horn for that purpose.

Pete


Ditto, I have one, very good horn especially for the cost you can find them for. Plus built like the proverbial tank.

Brad
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Crazy Finn
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Joined: 27 Dec 2001
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Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota

PostPosted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 2:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Backup horn? More like Backup horns... Even my backup horns have backup horns.

Might be time to cull the herd, soon.
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LA Benge 3X Bb Trumpet
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BGinNJ
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Joined: 02 Mar 2010
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 02, 2019 5:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Holton T602 is a sleeper backup horn that's newer and cheaper than an ambassador. The newer, UMI version of the king silver Flair is more expensive, but underrated as a near-pro horn.
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Ed Kennedy
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Joined: 15 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 02, 2019 5:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm a brass reparteur. I have several school band directors who routinely, at the end of the school year, have the kids take the horns apart, all slides and valves, wrap them in a cloth and leave them in the case like that until school resumes in the fall. It costs me money because they NEVER need to have me pull stuck slides and valves, and valve caps. I recommend this for any hiatus where the horn is going to sit dormant for a time.

BTW considering suitable backup horns? Just about any name brand student, intermediate, or beat-up but playable pro horn (Getzen Severinson?) you can find should float your boat.
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cgaiii
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Joined: 26 Jun 2017
Posts: 1541
Location: Virginia USA

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 9:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I keep two backup horns, both old horns I used to play. I have an Olds Ambassador that I got new after a rent to own period in the 1960s when i was in grade school. I also have a Yamaha YTR-4335 that I played after the Olds. They are quite different from my main horn, but they certainly can be used in a pinch. If it looks like rain and I have to play outside, one of them comes out.
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Bb: Schilke X3L AS SP, Yamaha YTR-6335S
C: Schilke CXL, Kanstul 1510-2
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