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LSOfanboy
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Joined: 08 Jul 2018
Posts: 347
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 Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 12:37 am Post subject: |
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This is by no means an attempt to ruffle any feathers, and I totally accept that any individual has total freedom to express what they want but...
Does anyone think they would rather have an instrument that draws as little attention as possible?
Personally, I play on (and endorse) the equipment that I feel has the very best response, resonance and intonation but has the most 'standard' and unoriginal look.
The last thing I want when turning up to the studio or an orchestra section is to have people looking at and asking about my 'fancy' trumpet. My aim is that I want them talking about how great I sounded, not talking about the lacquer effects or heavy valve caps.
I have also lost count of the number of times I have seen players turn up with very unique trumpets, do a poor job, and then have the section savage them after they have left- using a trumpet that invites visual attention also increases the weight of criticism afterwards. Its no different to the lad at football/soccer with the brightest shoes, a club cyclist with the most sophisticated bike or a chef with the biggest/shiniest kitchen- if you don't perform, people will be extra critical.
Others may disagree, but that is my experience.
All the best |
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dstpt
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Joined: 14 Dec 2005
Posts: 1283
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 4:00 am Post subject: |
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| richarddownunder wrote: | | Quote: | | Leigh said that the 24K gold plate is not justified in these pictures, btw, but is much more vibrant when viewing in person! (Again, notice no brace from the 2nd valve casing to the bell in the 2nd picture...a custom request to add resonance.) |
As a matter of interest, does the gold plating add significantly to the cost? The 2-tone certainly looks nice. |
Thanks, Richard. I agree that it does look nice. Leigh did some alternate pricing with me due to the unique modifications I was having done, so I don't really have a price breakdown on the plating. I think it's best that you present your ideas and see what pricing he gives you. I would encourage you to narrow down your thoughts for the build before going there by knowing what you would want in this horn, that is, knowing the sound you want. I found him to be very patient with me, indulging all questions with thoughtful, and yet very honest, responses.
He reminded me a couple of times: "This is your horn. You ought to have what you want."
Then he added: "I would!"
I said: "So it’s kind of like the Burger King slogan: 'Have it your way!'” He got a kick out of that.
I will say that if there is one thing I learned about Leigh McKinney in this, my first, encounter with the man, it would be his firm belief that the best trumpet for you is what you find to be the best trumpet for you. He won’t push any of his horns onto anyone. He agrees that there are many great trumpet builders in the world and respects them all. I even baited him a couple of times (not intentionally, but I realized afterward that that’s how it could have played out) and he shied away from criticizing others and just listened or made related, but non-critical, remarks. I found Leigh to be very professional, kind, jovial, accommodating, respectful, approachable, non-intimidating, and sincerely wanting to produce the best possible horn for me. I also believe that he really appreciates those that are passionate about our instrument. Feel free to PM me, if you have other specific questions. |
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dstpt
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Joined: 14 Dec 2005
Posts: 1283
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 4:28 am Post subject: |
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| LSOfanboy wrote: | This is by no means an attempt to ruffle any feathers, and I totally accept that any individual has total freedom to express what they want but...
Does anyone think they would rather have an instrument that draws as little attention as possible?
Personally, I play on (and endorse) the equipment that I feel has the very best response, resonance and intonation but has the most 'standard' and unoriginal look.
The last thing I want when turning up to the studio or an orchestra section is to have people looking at and asking about my 'fancy' trumpet. My aim is that I want them talking about how great I sounded, not talking about the lacquer effects or heavy valve caps.
I have also lost count of the number of times I have seen players turn up with very unique trumpets, do a poor job, and then have the section savage them after they have left- using a trumpet that invites visual attention also increases the weight of criticism afterwards. Its no different to the lad at football/soccer with the brightest shoes, a club cyclist with the most sophisticated bike or a chef with the biggest/shiniest kitchen- if you don't perform, people will be extra critical.
Others may disagree, but that is my experience.
All the best |
Yeah, I hear what you’re saying, but I’ve personally found that even with the uniqueness of some of my horns, the adjacent players in the freelance situations rarely comment, or they might say something like the lead player on our present show said to me two nights ago: “Oh, I haven’t seen that horn before,” and then I’ll tell him about it. (That was a used 10yo, rear-tuned, silver plated, standard-build Eclipse.) The brass section in the pit over the past two years during my horn safari has just gotten used to me trying out different horns and have accepted it.
Last edited by dstpt on Thu Aug 29, 2019 6:15 am; edited 1 time in total |
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dstpt
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Joined: 14 Dec 2005
Posts: 1283
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 4:39 am Post subject: |
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Yes, this is an ultra-cool look! Leigh showed me pictures of some other cornets that had just been finished like yours. So is that his Savannah lacquer and gold plate or gold lacquer? Either way, it looks like 24K gold plate and is very beautiful. I had considered part of the B-flat he just finished for me to be partially with the Savannah lacquer, which he explained is translucent and will display differently on varying surfaces (like some of the trigger parts I had him put on my horn). Ultimately, I ended up with the gold on those sections. There is another current TH thread about gold plate v. gold lacquer, where some of the TH members' responses have pretty much convinced me to not shy away from getting gold lacquer, if I want the gold look and yet don't want to fork out the money for gold plate. Cool pics! |
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dstpt
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Joined: 14 Dec 2005
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 7:33 am Post subject: |
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| stumac wrote: | In 2008 the full gold plate on my MS was an extra 500 English pounds, since then the gold price has increased considerably. Platers now seem to quote on the spot price of gold.
Regards, Stuart. |
What is/was the MS model? I am fairly new to Eclipse trumpets, so maybe that is/was a model that is no longer listed on the website? And yes, gold has gone up incredibly, and yet, when you are trying to sell a gold plated horn, it doesn't seem to give you that kind of return, unfortunately, at least, not in the TH Marketplace! |
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stumac
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Joined: 19 Nov 2008
Posts: 697
Location: Flinders, Australia
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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MS=Medium Solar, a Rimless bell, no longer listed on website, in 2008 when I bought mine I think Leigh only offered 3 bells, Medium Red, red brass, Medium Yellow, yellow brass and Medium Solar, there may have been more but these were the three Leigh put together in 2 days for me to try.
Regards, Stuart. |
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richarddownunder
Regular Member
Joined: 02 Feb 2018
Posts: 78
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2018 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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| LSOfanboy wrote: | This is by no means an attempt to ruffle any feathers, and I totally accept that any individual has total freedom to express what they want but...
Does anyone think they would rather have an instrument that draws as little attention as possible?
Personally, I play on (and endorse) the equipment that I feel has the very best response, resonance and intonation but has the most 'standard' and unoriginal look.
The last thing I want when turning up to the studio or an orchestra section is to have people looking at and asking about my 'fancy' trumpet. My aim is that I want them talking about how great I sounded, not talking about the lacquer effects or heavy valve caps.
I have also lost count of the number of times I have seen players turn up with very unique trumpets, do a poor job, and then have the section savage them after they have left- using a trumpet that invites visual attention also increases the weight of criticism afterwards. Its no different to the lad at football/soccer with the brightest shoes, a club cyclist with the most sophisticated bike or a chef with the biggest/shiniest kitchen- if you don't perform, people will be extra critical.
Others may disagree, but that is my experience.
All the best |
That's an interesting point. I guess too much bling can be a distraction and how it (and trumpeter) play is obviously the key thing. I'm sure a 2-tone effect is not important, but it looks kinda nice. My playing could easily be savaged no-matter what I play - (but no-one else in the band in which I play is any better  , we are all amateurs.) But, if they wanted to stab me in the back because I have shiny trumpet, well, that is their problem not mine and it seems little sad. On a good day I sound...OK. With an Eclipse, I may sound a little better - I realise I'm never going to be Rolf Smedvig, that's life. On the other hand if I'm paying top price for a nice new trumpet, I'd also like to enjoy a nice finish and it looke like the Eclipse horns achieve that.
Cheers
Richard |
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wee steve
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Joined: 27 Nov 2009
Posts: 76
Location: Cornwall UK
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| Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:03 am Post subject: |
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I have the Eclipse CLS Celeste, it is a stunning horn. It is in a scratch finish with a medium yellow bell. I got a yellow bell as I predominately gig in a horn section with a trombone and sax, the medium yellow projects and cuts through like butter. It has a big fat tone, great intonation and a solid core. I love it. I tried the medium red too and if I had the money or only played jazz that would have been the one. What a horn. Leadpipes are interesting, the Celeste pipe just feels great for me, others have said I sound better on the 4T, I still prefer the Celeste pipe but they all feel great, a tighter pipe when you are having that horrible day is a life saver.
If I had the money for another horn, I’d still buy eclipse anyday, there’s no comparison in my opinion. I do however appreciate Taylor’s skills as a horn maker and an amazing (one of the best) bell maker.
_________________
Eclipse Celeste MY 2023
B & S Challenger flugelhorn
Previous horns:
Eclipse Celeste CLS MY
Eclipse LY (rear tuned)
Bach ML37
B & S Challenger ii |
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paulchops
Regular Member
Joined: 11 Nov 2007
Posts: 16
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 1:04 pm Post subject: Eclipse trumpets available in the US |
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I am posting here because I have been told by several people they didn't know how to find, play or purchase Eclipse trumpets, cornets, flugels, etc. here in the United States. If this not appropriate to post, feel free to delete.
www.eclipsetrumpets.us is both an online and retail store, where we currently have 18 Eclipse instruments ready to play and purchase. Our retail store is located in Ft. Pierce, FL
Paul McCall |
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Rod Haney
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Joined: 22 Aug 2015
Posts: 937
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| Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 9:48 am Post subject: |
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I got to chime in after having Eclipse lacquer for 3 years and the silver bell horn 1.5 yrs. I chose the solar bell and I have to say it is very easy to play, seems to cut very well and has a wonderful bright sound. I think this is particular to the rimless design, but I really had to back off volume wise or my part stood out too much. This is expected in big band lead but I don’t have those chops anymore 😳 specifically this design helps me play at concert level without too much work. The one with the Andy Taylor solid silver bell is more so and I have at least one more usable note with it and it absolutely rings. I use the different leadpipe options for different music and also use the really big ones on occasion to help my wind. The smallest pipe is also good for 1 more note when you adjust to the resistance and change your blow. Workmanship on both is superb and Im picky.
I think his website is down for upgrade but he is still on Facebook I’m pretty sure. It is absolutely a good idea even if you buy a stocked horn from one of his dealers in Fla. or Wash.. you can tell him what you are looking for in a horn and he comes as close to your request as humanly possible, his main goal is to make you happy with your purchase. Both my horns are Enigmas one bell tuned and one reverse slide CLS. These are my choice of horns but a Celeste with CLS and the right bell to suit your needs would be more than equal to the boutique brands I’ve played, and you can go up from there. His new silver plater puts everything Ive seen from others to shame.
Rod |
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richarddownunder
Regular Member
Joined: 02 Feb 2018
Posts: 78
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2019 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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Thought I'd follow up this thread. I had the pleasure of visiting Leigh and Carl in Luton while on holiday in the UK. The guys were very welcoming and I spent several happy hours trying Eclipse trumpets, finally settling on the standard silver plate Celeste MR. Having got it home with no problems (in a Torpedo bag) I played it last night at band and had a number of positive comments about the tone of the horn. It has a little more resistance than my previous reverse pipe horn which for me makes control much easier. It is more in tune as well so I'm really pleased with it. As well as its great playing characteristics, fit and finish are immaculate and the valves the best I have ever tried. My only gripe is I couldn't also bring back a Flugel. I had a brief blow on one and it was wonderful. So easy to play and this particular one was in their Savannah lacquer which looked amazing. So, I'm an Eclipse convert and a happy Celeste MR owner. Maybe I'll treat myself to a Flugel one of the days once I have saved my pennies!
Not sure if this'll work but I just uploaded a couple of snaps to Flikr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/143232438@N05/48420217051/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/143232438@N05/48420372122/in/dateposted-public/
Cheers
Richard |
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dstpt
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Joined: 14 Dec 2005
Posts: 1283
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| Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 7:04 am Post subject: |
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deleted
Last edited by dstpt on Thu Aug 29, 2019 6:14 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Rapier232
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 16 Aug 2011
Posts: 1322
Location: Twixt the Moor and the Sea, UK
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| Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2019 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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There is a nice Eclipse on eBay at the moment.
_________________
"Nearly as good as I need to be. Not nearly as good as I want to be".
Smith-Watkins Bb
Will Spencer Bb
Eclipse Flugel
Smith Watkins K2 Cornet
JP152 C Trumpet
Besson Bugle |
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Rod Haney
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Joined: 22 Aug 2015
Posts: 937
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| Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 4:08 am Post subject: |
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| LSOfanboy wrote: | This is by no means an attempt to ruffle any feathers, and I totally accept that any individual has total freedom to express what they want but...
Does anyone think they would rather have an instrument that draws as little attention as possible?
Personally, I play on (and endorse) the equipment that I feel has the very best response, resonance and intonation but has the most 'standard' and unoriginal look.
The last thing I want when turning up to the studio or an orchestra section is to have people looking at and asking about my 'fancy' trumpet. My aim is that I want them talking about how great I sounded, not talking about the lacquer effects or heavy valve caps.
I have also lost count of the number of times I have seen players turn up with very unique trumpets, do a poor job, and then have the section savage them after they have left- using a trumpet that invites visual attention also increases the weight of criticism afterwards. Its no different to the lad at football/soccer with the brightest shoes, a club cyclist with the most sophisticated bike or a chef with the biggest/shiniest kitchen- if you don't perform, people will be extra critical.
Others may disagree, but that is my experience.
All the best |
Yes but when the guy with the brightest shoes plays like Pele, does it bother you much? The fitting in thing seems to be a classical preference. If I didn’t want to stand out or be special in some way I probably wouldn’t have played trumpet.
Rod |
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richarddownunder
Regular Member
Joined: 02 Feb 2018
Posts: 78
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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| dstpt wrote: | | richarddownunder wrote: | Thought I'd follow up this thread. I had the pleasure of visiting Leigh and Carl in Luton while on holiday in the UK. The guys were very welcoming and I spent several happy hours trying Eclipse trumpets, finally settling on the standard silver plate Celeste MR. Having got it home with no problems (in a Torpedo bag) I played it last night at band and had a number of positive comments about the tone of the horn. It has a little more resistance than my previous reverse pipe horn which for me makes control much easier. It is more in tune as well so I'm really pleased with it. As well as its great playing characteristics, fit and finish are immaculate and the valves the best I have ever tried. My only gripe is I couldn't also bring back a Flugel. I had a brief blow on one and it was wonderful. So easy to play and this particular one was in their Savannah lacquer which looked amazing. So, I'm an Eclipse convert and a happy Celeste MR owner. Maybe I'll treat myself to a Flugel one of the days once I have saved my pennies!
Not sure if this'll work but I just uploaded a couple of snaps to Flikr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/143232438@N05/48420217051/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/143232438@N05/48420372122/in/dateposted-public/
Cheers
Richard |
Excellent choice, Richard! Great to hear that you had quality time with Leigh in his shop and got what fits you best. The finish is beautiful, btw. Too bad you couldn't swing getting one of his flugels while you were there, but maybe one will pop up in the TH Marketplace soon. Uhh, I kind of doubt it. I think players hold on to these horns for a very long time for a reason! Enjoy your new gem! |
Yes, thanks, the finish is flawless and the more I play it the more I'm enjoying it. I might treat myself to a flugel for a big birthday in a couple of years.  |
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trumpetmike
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Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Posts: 11315
Location: Ash (an even smaller place ), UK
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| Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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| richarddownunder wrote: |
Yes, thanks, the finish is flawless and the more I play it the more I'm enjoying it. I might treat myself to a flugel for a big birthday in a couple of years. |
Be warned - purchasing Eclipse instruments can become a habit (speaking as someone with an original MR, Flugel, Piccolo and have very recently acquired a new Celeste MR) |
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wiemelen
Veteran Member
Joined: 08 Aug 2007
Posts: 454
Location: Belgium
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| Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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Hi all,
Can anyone describe the playing characteristics of the Celeste and/or Enigma compared to a Bach 37/43 or Yamaha Xeno/Chicago/New York?
For me, the only trumpet I found that plays better than my 30 year old Yamaha 6335H is the Chicago.
But I'm not a big fan of the strict/exact slotting of the Chicago.
thanks,
_________________
Trumpet : Yamaha YTR-9335CHS + Yamaha YTR-6335H
Trumpet mouthpieces : Lotus 2L (main) + Lotus 2L2
Flugelhorn : Kanstul 1525 with Curry 1,5FL
Cornet : Conn 80a (1919) with Curry 1,5 BBC + Curry 1,5 VC + GR L66,9 #6 |
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dstpt
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 14 Dec 2005
Posts: 1283
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| Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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| wiemelen wrote: | Hi all,
Can anyone describe the playing characteristics of the Celeste and/or Enigma compared to a Bach 37/43 or Yamaha Xeno/Chicago/New York?
For me, the only trumpet I found that plays better than my 30 year old Yamaha 6335H is the Chicago.
But I'm not a big fan of the strict/exact slotting of the Chicago.
thanks, |
On my Enigma, the 5th harmonic is not flat, and the 6th harmonic is not sharp...in general, the pitch and response is superior to the Bach tpts I've played most of my life. No funkiness with any note on the horn. The timbre is extremely close to a Bach, so I can sit in any section of Bach and Yamaha players and blend without an issue. And I can't emphasize enough about the response...soft, loud...doesn't matter...the horn is sitting on ready to respond. Some have eluded to the fact that, like Roy Lawler in building his horns (and which also have incredible response), Leigh McKinney does not spritz water on hot soldered tubing to avoid rapid cooling, which some say creates additional stress in the horn. The less stress in the horn, the more a horn will be to responding very easily. At least that's one variable that is eliminated. Exact measurements of braces/angels/tubing alignment/et al are also very important aspects that contribute to the response and resonance, both of which go hand in hand in my book. Admittedly, I don't know all that goes into making a great horn, but I do believe that the Eclipse line has advanced some very important areas in trumpet making. Just IMO. |
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wiemelen
Veteran Member
Joined: 08 Aug 2007
Posts: 454
Location: Belgium
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| Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2020 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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| dstpt wrote: | | The timbre is extremely close to a Bach, so I can sit in any section of Bach and Yamaha players and blend without an issue. |
Nice to hear. So I will not have an issue blending in with a Stomvi, several Yamahas and a Hub van Laar
| dstpt wrote: | | And I can't emphasize enough about the response...soft, loud...doesn't matter...the horn is sitting on ready to respond. |
That would be a big improvement to my Yamaha
_________________
Trumpet : Yamaha YTR-9335CHS + Yamaha YTR-6335H
Trumpet mouthpieces : Lotus 2L (main) + Lotus 2L2
Flugelhorn : Kanstul 1525 with Curry 1,5FL
Cornet : Conn 80a (1919) with Curry 1,5 BBC + Curry 1,5 VC + GR L66,9 #6 |
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dstpt
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 14 Dec 2005
Posts: 1283
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| Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2020 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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| wiemelen wrote: | | dstpt wrote: | | The timbre is extremely close to a Bach, so I can sit in any section of Bach and Yamaha players and blend without an issue. |
Nice to hear. So I will not have an issue blending in with a Stomvi, several Yamahas and a Hub van Laar
| dstpt wrote: | | And I can't emphasize enough about the response...soft, loud...doesn't matter...the horn is sitting on ready to respond. |
That would be a big improvement to my Yamaha |
Right now I'm playing a show with the Lead on an old NY Bach and the other on a fairly new Yamaha. Seems to match fine. I did play my first night on a used Hub van Laar Oiram (I), and while the sound profile was a little thicker than what I normally would want playing in a section, it still worked for me on the 3rd book. I switched to my Enigma last night, since I'm just more comfortable on it and can pick up more highs where I want to hear them. It's nothing against the Oiram in a section, though. The lead player on tour has had no problem with either, and I think the Oiram has a gorgeous sound...and I mean gorgeous. Some may prefer its slightly heavier build to be more of a solo or combo horn, but it really did work well in the section for me, and it, too, has an amazing response, like all Eclipse trumpets I've played. And the pitch center is amazing on it as well! I'd say it's worth checking out these horns from across the pond. (Sorry for going slightly askew to the topic.) |
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