Michael Del Quadro horn

Larry Smithee · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 4399

So here I was, just happy as a lark with my recently purchased Shires Bb thinking that it would be the last horn I would ever buy. So, while browsing the intertubes one day recently I just happened to run across a really interesting looking horn called a Del Quadro that was up for sale at a music store in Florida. Having never heard of a Del Quadro, I did some research on the name and spotted Michael's web site and then dug up more information here on the TH site too. The music store owner was nice enough to send the Del Q out to me on trial and the rest, as they say, is history. I moved the Shires out soon later and was quickly a new Del Q owner. Here's a picture of the Del Q. Notice that it has 2 leadpipes (the lighter combination is on the horn) and 2 bells (one with a bead and the other without). The valve block is from a B&S. I'll admit that this is the only opportunity that I've had to try a Del Quadro but if his other creations play anywhere as nice as this one I will just say that Michael is a terrific builder.Just one highlight: The pitch on this horn is absolutely solid and centers like no other horn I have ever played. And that's just for starters. Here's photo:

ajr51 · Regular Member Joined: 05 May 2007 Posts: 64

Nice looking horn(s)!

JonathanM · Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 2:45 pm Post subject:

Larry; Thanks for the thread. I've touched base with Michael DQ about putting a replaceable bell system on a horn of mine.

Can you explain how different the bell and leadpipe systems are as far as tone, range, etc? And do you lose anything with the replacement system?
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Jonathan Milam
Trumpets: 18043B, 18043*, 18043 Sterling Silver +, 18037 SterlingSilver+, Benge 4x, Olds: '34 Symphony, '47 Super, '52 Recording, '52 Mendez
Flugle: Strad 182
Puje: American Belle
Cornet: Olds Recording & Super

Larry Smithee · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 4399

Johnathan,

For me the main difference is the feedback I hear as a player. I think the sound and color that the audience hears may not be all that different between the two bells. But there certainly is a difference when you're behind the horn playing it. The combo that I tend to like is the heavier leadpipe with the rimless bell. i was popping out high Fs and Gs this morning with this horn, although I'm not really a high note kind of player. The sound does not break up with this horn. Those notes just pop out very easily. This is a rather heavy horn (chunky?) and solid as a brick. I tend to lean toward bigger mouthpieces and so this horn tends to favor a darker tone which I like. Nevertheless, it does have great resonance in the upper register. Those Fs and Gs were kind of fun.

Larry

connicalman · Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 4:10 pm Post subject:

Copper bell effect? I can't push my old Conn to break it up. DQ seems to do good biz with players of some repute via copper. Nice darn horn! Thanks for the pic & post
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kochaavim, csillaagkep, αστερρισμός, konnstelacji, connstellation... ...a.k.a. the 28A!
Other Conns: Victor 5A & 38A, New Wonder & 80A; 'stella 38A; 36A; 'quest 76A...

JonathanM · Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 4:59 pm Post subject:

Larry; Thanks - the info is a help and I appreciate it.

I've got one excellent horn but it has a heavy bell - great dark sound. I've got a Strad 43* bell I'd love to have as an alternate. There's times I definitely want the full, darker sound but there's also times I'd like a brighter sound that can cut a bit more effectively. Those are the 2 bells I'm considering having DQ fix as alternates.

I was fairly set to do this when I picked up a used, local Strad with a 43 bell... It's turned into such a nice player that I just can't decide whether to keep the two horns, put the 43* bell in place of the 43, use two bells with one horn... Ah, the joy of having several options!
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Jonathan Milam
Trumpets: 18043B, 18043*, 18043 Sterling Silver +, 18037 SterlingSilver+, Benge 4x, Olds: '34 Symphony, '47 Super, '52 Recording, '52 Mendez
Flugle: Strad 182
Puje: American Belle
Cornet: Olds Recording & Super

gbdeamer · Heavyweight Member Joined: 31 Dec 2007 Posts: 2307

KansasTrumpet · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 12:51 pm Post subject:

Larry. It was great talking with you the other day. Looks like this horn found a good home.

Michael Del Quadro
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Del Quadro Custom

www.DQsCustomShop.com

Find me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Del-Quadro-Custom-Trumpets/188607601169514

TrentAustin · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 1:24 pm Post subject:

Looks like a fun horn!
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tommy t. · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 2:52 pm Post subject:

I hasten to add my recommendation of Michaels work and customer relations and to heartily endorse his copper bell conversions.

Connicalman might say: " DQ seems to do good biz with players of some repute and Tommy T., too, via copper."

Tommy T.
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Actually, I hate music. I just do this for the money.

Larry Smithee · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 4399

veery715 · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:40 pm Post subject:

connicalman · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 5:23 pm Post subject:

...and the custom work from the DQ shop looked fantastic on Tommy T's heirloom cornet. Every picture tells a story.

From reading about it here it serves to fill quite a nice niche, that 80A with copper. Yeah. Man. Ugh. Beautiful. Yet can that Victor model hold a removeable / multiple bell system?
_________________
kochaavim, csillaagkep, αστερρισμός, konnstelacji, connstellation... ...a.k.a. the 28A!
Other Conns: Victor 5A & 38A, New Wonder & 80A; 'stella 38A; 36A; 'quest 76A...

tommy t. · Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 7:27 pm Post subject: