1956 Martin Imperial--intermediate or pro model?

[markp]

I spent my Labor Day in Vintage Trumpet Heaven--Robb Stewart's shop in Arcadia, California.

I had a grand ($1,000) burning a hole in my pocked and had read on his website that he had some interesting old trumpets. I went there hoping to fall in love.

I tried:

1) 1969 Connstellation 38B
2) 1967 King Silver Flair
3) Kanstul Mariachi previously owned by high-note phenom Steve Reid
4) Three Olds Mendez horns
5) Olds Studio

I'm a wanna-be Chet/Blue/Art Farmer guy looking for a smoky-sounding jazz horn. I tried all of the above and was sadly headed for the door.

But as an afterthought, I asked Robb if I could blow on his 1956 Martin Imperial trumpet. He had a Committee there in the shop that I didn't even bother to try. I didn't have even close to the $2,000 that it cost.

I wasn't interested in the Imperial at all because it isn't a Martin HANDCRAFT Imperial. The posters here at the TH have told me that only pre-war Martin HANDCRAFT Imperials are great. After WWII, according to what I've read, the Imperial became an intermediate/student horn.

But....it was love at first blow! It perfectly matched the sound in my head that I was looking for. Even Mr. Stewart, who is usually very reserved, immediately commented. He had heard me on the other horns trying to get all dark and fuzzy. He said that that horn sounded very Committtee-ish.

For what I was looking for, it just blew all the above-mentioned horns away. It had intonation that was as good, or better than all of them. A smoky sound to die for and a fluid responsiveness that just knocked me out.

Mr. Stewart explained to me that the Imperial is the post WWII version of the Handcraft Imperial. I know that the pre-war MHI is a fantastic horn. I've owned one of them. But supposedly, after the war, the horn was demoted and lost the "Handcraft" in its name, and become a lessor horn.

I don't think that is the case with this 1956 model. I know I'm still in the honeymoon phase, and I'm trying not to be too giddy about the whole thing. But I'm trying to be very critical, and it seems to be just awesome. A sound as good as I could possibly hope for from the best-sounding Committee and above average intonation--a tiny bit flat on fouth-line D and low C.

Maybe Mr. Stewart was being a bit of a salesman, but he told me that he just doesn't get the whole Committee mystic thing. He believes that the Imperial is really just about the same horn.

Any other non-Handcraft Imperial lovers out there?

[jiarby]

[markp]

I forgot to mention that I paid $750 for the Imperial trumpet.

I also didn't mention that I've owned four Committees and a pre-war 1938 Imperial Handcraft trumpet (with the lion on the bell).

My honest-to-God impression at the moment is that this horn has the best intonation of the bunch and a sound as good as any of them. It it is also nimble as can be.

[spitvalve]

Post pictures!
_________________
Bryan Fields
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1991 Bach LR180 ML 37S
1999 Getzen Eterna 700S
1979 Getzen Eterna 895S Flugelhorn
1969 Getzen Capri cornet
Eastlake Benge 4PSP piccolo trumpet
Warburton and Stomvi Flex mouthpieces

[markp]

Sorry, but I'm not a shutterbug.

Just picture a Committee without the trombone water keys, with amber-colored lacquer 99% intact.

[mffan]

[VetPsychWars]

A lot of instruments that were marketed as good for school band were never "student instruments". In the late 50s into the 70s and 80s, the #1 market for new instruments were the gagillions of kids entering school. While some horns were no-doubt made just for students, a lot of what people dismiss today were still professional horns for at least part of that period... and they perform like professional horns.

I think that we, the trumpet playing community, really need to take a look at these alleged "student horns" and decide which have been unfairly maligned. I know that a lot of Aristocrats, for example, are decent (if quirky) horns that play well.

Tom
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1950 Buescher Lightweight 400 Trumpet
1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939 Buescher 400 Cornet
GR65M, GR65 Cor #1

[connan]

[Robert Rowe]

[Retlaw]

[supportlivejazz]

[Robert Rowe]

Hi, Kevin ... Hi, Walter ~~

Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge me again. You are among the few of the saner ones here.


Briefly -- My "take" on the Schilke S32 --

I found it to play very nicely, according to my tastes. Not egg-Zachary (pardon my Asian accent) like a Committee, however. Actually, the horn is more akin to my Holton Model 48, which I just put down 5-minutes ago. (It's a puzzling horn. I think some fool -- the guy that sold it to me -- did not realize it was GOLD-PLATED !! Three-HUNDRED American Dollars !! ).

The S32 almost pushes me toward playing in a "sizzlin'-mode" ... like an early OLDS Super, without me consciously trying to go there. Think Ziggy Elmann, Harry James, Ray Anthony on a 'Good Day'.

IF -- and ONLY IF -- you play the S32 with a gentle blow, do you come into the Committee frame-of-reference. Otherwise, it just "lights up" too easily for me.

~ r2 ~
_________________
~ Love animals ... don't eat them. ~

I miss Genghis Khan ....

[supportlivejazz]

[Retlaw]

[Retlaw]

[supportlivejazz]

Check out the casings on this very early Imperial... Not seen that before, but it may be standard at that time.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Vtg-MARTIN-Imperial-B-Bb-flat-Coronet-Trumpet-books-2-mouthpieces-/250898276855
_________________
Conn 6B
1940s Blessing Artist
Olds LA Special Model Cornet






"I'm not apologizing, I am what I am. There'll be no compromising, I don't give a damn."

[John R Davidson]

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[supportlivejazz]

I've had a few Handcraft Imperials and not seen any casings with that straight profile before. I think they all did have the 3 pronged guides though.
_________________
Conn 6B
1940s Blessing Artist
Olds LA Special Model Cornet






"I'm not apologizing, I am what I am. There'll be no compromising, I don't give a damn."

[Robert Rowe]

[John R Davidson]

edit