Bb leadpipe for a “Maurice André Selmer piccolo

Voltrane

Hello,

Yesterday I had a rehearsal session using my piccolo Selmer. It was ok with the A leadpipe, not as good with the Bb intonation and sound wise. I already use Blackburn’s P2 A and Bb leadpipes and wonder wether an Osmun or Najoom Bb or a P1 Blackburn leadpipe could improve something on the Bb side.
Does someone have experience with these Bb leadpipes associated with the “good old Selmer”?
Thanks in advance.
Ps. I forgot: Sound wise the Bb side was not as brilliant than the A side. A little duller. Not what I expected! I need something “cutting”!
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S’il n’en reste qu’un je serai celui là (Victor Hugo)
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zaferis · Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2021 4:33 am Post subject:

yup, a Blackburn set of pipes definitely improved my Selmer (when I had it), if I remember right I had the P1. Osmun's are also good choices IMO..

I'm not really much help here.. but I wanted to add that I was never satisfied with the Bb side of my Selmer.. Eventually, I bought a new picc. after I found I could play other models/makes more easily.
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giakara · Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2021 5:22 am Post subject:

I have one 3 valve Selmer made in early 60's with only one pipe that is Bb and A if you pulled enough out , always I had intonation and slotting problems until I start to use the stock mpc that the horn had , a Selmer special 4 , a big and wide rim double cup mpc that transformed the horn sound,pitch and behavior and solve all the problems in seconds , the shank is the key , the modern mpcs I used it was not the right ones , the special 4 also it fits great to my lips , the rim is very flat and wide and supports great my lips and the double cup is very shallow and helps to the high registers.

Regards
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Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2015
Lawler TL6-1A Bb 2004
Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2003
Getzen eterna 910 C
Getzen eterna 850 cornet
Selmer Paris 3 valve picc
Yamaha 731 flugel
Carol mini pocket
Reeves/Purviance mpcs

Voltrane · Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 10:54 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your answers. You gave me an idea!
I play my pic with a Stork 3P mp. As it works very well with the A side, I did not think to try another mp with the Bb side but may be it is the first thing to do!

Thanks again!
_________________
S’il n’en reste qu’un je serai celui là (Victor Hugo)
Je m’empresse d’en rire de peur d’avoir à en pleurer (Beaumarchais)

giakara · Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2021 2:43 am Post subject:

Since you live in France is easier for you to find the stock Selmer mpc that fits to your horn*I guess) , is very common to see trumpet players to change his old Selmer piccolo for a Schilke or Yamaha and lose the unbeatable Selmer piccolo sound (in my opinion) because they believe that the horn don't play that good and the truth is that they use wrong mpc...

Regards
_________________
Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2015
Lawler TL6-1A Bb 2004
Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2003
Getzen eterna 910 C
Getzen eterna 850 cornet
Selmer Paris 3 valve picc
Yamaha 731 flugel
Carol mini pocket
Reeves/Purviance mpcs

dr_trumpet · Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2021 3:23 pm Post subject:

Voltrane · Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2021 10:31 pm Post subject:

Yes, I was also told MA played his Selmer with a Bach 7DW.
That said I still have the original mp delivered with the horn: a Selmer B2, a quite large shallow mouthpiece with a 3mm throat! Not easy for me as I am not a fan of shallow mp. So I moved to a Stork that works well with the A side.I was only a little disappointed with the Bb side. But may be I should again practice a lot with B2. May be also try a 7DW.
By the way the Selmer B2 is one of the most beautiful mp I have seen. Nice shape, nice engraving and a high quality silver plating. And mine is brand new! If only I could play it

Regards
_________________
S’il n’en reste qu’un je serai celui là (Victor Hugo)
Je m’empresse d’en rire de peur d’avoir à en pleurer (Beaumarchais)

ProAm · Heavyweight Member Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 949

I rarely use the Bb side of any picc, including my Selmer. When I got my Blackburn A pipe for my Selmer at an ITG conference, Mr. Blackburn said that there wasn’t such a dramatic difference between his Bb pipe and the Selmer because there just isn’t enough length in the Bb pipe to make much of a change.

The Blackburn A pipe is wonderful.

Voltrane · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2021 9:14 am Post subject:

Thanks for this information.
I understand there nothing to expect from another Bb leadpipe. Better to try some mouthpieces.
And yes the A side works well: at this rehearsal everyone was amazed by the power and sound of this small beast (it was a trial: I used the Pic in a R&B group to see what could happen and I can tell you she is not afraid of the big bad electric devices! Really cutting above "the noise"

)
Regards
_________________
S’il n’en reste qu’un je serai celui là (Victor Hugo)
Je m’empresse d’en rire de peur d’avoir à en pleurer (Beaumarchais)

delano · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2021 9:58 am Post subject:

The great trumpetbuilder and repairman Martinus Geelen in the Netherlands (he built my rotary trumpet) made some leadpipes for a Selmer piccolo,

https://www.facebook.com/MartinusGeelenTrumpets/

Voltrane · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2021 7:55 am Post subject:

Interesting.
Thanks for this information Delano.
I will contact MG.
_________________
S’il n’en reste qu’un je serai celui là (Victor Hugo)
Je m’empresse d’en rire de peur d’avoir à en pleurer (Beaumarchais)