Best old horn

DCB1 · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 2:48 pm Post subject: Best old horn

Lets get a thread going for your thoughts on the best "older" - "vintage" Bb trumpets. Why you think it is the "best".
Thanks
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bgwbold · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 3:08 pm Post subject:

A few years ago, I traded for an early 80s Bach. It is nothing to look at but has very smooth valves and the characteristic sound. I have picked up a few other horns over the years, nothing fancy, so I rotate horns from time to time, but for all around playing, this old Bach is so nice and dependable. It gets the usual round Bach sound and is pretty good for general playing. The sound is pleasing to me, records and carries well. I probably have 900 invested in it, some of which is taking out dents, a valve alignment, etc. I could have spent a lot of money on something else, but probably would not sound any better than I do on this horn.

Mike

DaveH · Heavyweight Member Joined: 20 Nov 2001 Posts: 3861

I think very highly of my 35 year old King Silver Flair. It is in very nice condition, with great valves and excellent finish. Looks just about new, with a couple minor blemishes.

It is a nice, light, bright, powerful horn. Big tone. Interesting first valve trigger.

This is the second Flair I have owned.

I am not saying the Flair is the "best" for who's to say what is the "best?" But, it certainly is a classic trumpet, and would belong in any classic trumpet "hall of fame," IMO. It has a certain "character" all its own...

2ndchair · Veteran Member Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 352

Conn 22B's from the '20's and '30's. Great for recording and very happy with small church choirs.

Calicchios. Years? Well, all of them actually. The earlier horns were unpredictable but if you got a good one you never had a better friend on a big band gig.

Mt. Vernon and New York Bachs. (the Elkhart horns are very nice too but the earlier horns had a different character to the sound).

Chicago and Burbank Benges. I had a trombone player turn and tug her heart strings at me in the middle of Moonlight in Vermont one night. I was playing my early '50's Burbank at the time. Great sound on those lyrical tunes!

'60's and '70's Getzen Eternas. Lots of laughs on lead parts and big show off solos.

I still have a Schilke B1 from the "Yamalloy" days that will lead a band through a volcano if the need arises. I also keep it around for guys who tell me those Schilke-has are no good..........

Happily I still have all these trumpets laying around. Must be time to dust one off and see what it's got today!

2ndchair · Veteran Member Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 352

Darn you DaveH. I forgot how much fun those Silver Flairs were!

Time to go horn hunting again.......................

Bill Bryant · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 3:56 pm Post subject:

Pre-WWII Besson Meha should go on this list.
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NTlead · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 4:10 pm Post subject:

Chicago Benge, Committees.

2ndchair · Veteran Member Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 352

OK so the old Besson Brevette is awaiting restoration and I forgot about the Committee (210xxx). It's on the wall next to the Committee flugelhorn, which never gets played anymore. (I rarely get called for those small jazz gigs any more. My friends say it's a lack of ability.)

(I can't believe I forgot the Committee!)

Man, there are so many of these great older trumpets out there this could get to be an obsession!

Too many of these old horns, you know?

Maybe I'll trade the whole bunch in on a new Strad........................?

Nahhhhhhh!

radiobob · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:22 pm Post subject:

CAN get to be an obsession 2nd Chair? You know it! You didn't mention your gold plated Getzen Severinson. I'm really diggin' a 1941 Reynolds pro right now, really sweet tone and easy blow, extra fast and smooth valves. and dare I say it - Ambassadors?!

Bob

Bill Scott · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:50 pm Post subject:

Can't forget the Conn Constellations and Conn 10B's. The Connies have a sound that is unique and you can play just about anything with them. Dark or bright, they do it all!
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DaveH · Heavyweight Member Joined: 20 Nov 2001 Posts: 3861

Does anyone want to mention some of the other Olds models - the Recording, Super Recording, Opera, Mendez, Special, Super... any of those?

OK, I will...

ARB · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 6:10 am Post subject:

bandman322 · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 6:24 am Post subject:

Okay - I'm going to be obvious.......

I love my old Bach's. A Mt. Vernon and a 30XXX Elkhart. They may not be the best in the world, but there aren't many better!

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plankowner110 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 3620

My vote is for the KING 1055T Silver Flair. It has a great sound and streamlined styling with the most ingenius first valve trigger design. The sculpted valve casing and smooth top/bottom caps are unique. The heavy-duty woodshell case with the two-tone silver alligator/ black leather covering is IMO the most beautiful trumpet case ever made.
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Robert Rowe · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:09 pm Post subject:

Horns with CHARACTER ! -- that's what I hold dear .
"Connies", 22B, New York Strad, Courtois Phantom, '50's Buescher Super 400, Committees...so many others!!
Twenty-or-so of this ilk, or a Monette for the same $$ ?? NO BRAINER !!

Robert Rowe

"...you cain't polish a turd!..." (old Southern expression)

Sooner · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:24 pm Post subject:

Conn 38B, and my small bore Bach. The Conn is especially fun when you need to peel the paint off the walls.
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archer49d · Veteran Member Joined: 06 Jul 2004 Posts: 141

King Super 20... Harry James played a very similar horn (and as Much of an MF fan as I am Harry's sound I think is the best there ever was). Diz played one early in his career, but besides those who used it, the horn itself was being made in the 50s with a bore very similar to that of the Z-horn, it blows freely and like a Monette, in the way that I feel I'm not constricted by the horn. The horn is heavy compared to modern horns, but because of that it can take a MASSIVE amount of air and really scream, and I mean SCREAM, in rehearsals I'm known to get carried away and scream an ending high G so loud I'll cancel out the trombone and sax section, but whats more is that it's a full and clean high G. That is something I've never been able to even come close to recplicating on ANY Schilke, Kanstul or Bach... I do not even hesitate to say it is on par with the Monette Lightweight horns (with the exception of being a heavier instrument). For selling on eBay in the 300-500 dollar range they are sure worth it opposed to buying a Monette XLT for 6000.

buhdda316 · Veteran Member Joined: 09 Sep 2004 Posts: 187

burbank benge, burbank benge, burbank benge, burbank benge, burbank benge, burbank benge