Cornet mp adapter for trumpet

rhatheway · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2024 6:58 am Post subject: Cornet mp adapter for trumpet

I recently came across what appears to be a vintage adapter that lets you use a cornet mp in a trumpet. It's about 1 1/2" long and has two nibs, one on each side, about 1/4" from the top. From the marks on the shank, it looks like it fits about 3/4"-7/8" into the leadpipe of the trumpet.

My question is, why would you want to do that? Especially given how many trumpet mps there are now (and even then)?

Or could this have been an adapter to use a cornet mp on a flugelhorn?

Curious minds want to know...
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Richard H
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Working on getting my chops back...

“Without music, life would be a mistake” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

1968 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1958 Conn Director 14A

huntman10 · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2024 7:34 am Post subject:

While cornet to trumpet mouthpiece adapters are not uncommon in old cases, what you described is a bit too long to be that. Many older Cornets had extra receivers so the cornets could be easily changed from the old "High Pitch" standard (A = 452.5 cycles) to the modern "low pitch" (A = 440 cycles). Modern concert pitch was actually standardized by the treaty that ended World War I, BTW! Although there were high pitch words instruments continuing into the 30's.

That is my guess
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huntman10
Collector/Player of Fine (and not so fine) Brass Instruments including
Various Strads, Yammies, Al Hirt Courtois, Schilkes,
Selmer 25, Getzen Eternas, Kanstuls (920 Pic, CG)
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rhatheway · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2024 8:42 am Post subject:

Richard III · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2024 9:39 am Post subject:

Early cornets had tuning bits which you are describing. Many cornets could be played in C, Bb and A. The slides were much longer and the appropriate tuning bit was used to make the whole thing in tune.

Here's my old Conn with the Bb tuning bit.

[img]

ConnWonder1 by genevie7, on Flickr[/img]
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Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

rhatheway · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2024 10:06 am Post subject:

huntman10 · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2024 12:34 pm Post subject:

Yes, the Cornets that had the tuning bits were not meant to be played without the bits. The mouthpiece would not fit properly without the bit. And would be sharp, as well.
_________________
huntman10
Collector/Player of Fine (and not so fine) Brass Instruments including
Various Strads, Yammies, Al Hirt Courtois, Schilkes,
Selmer 25, Getzen Eternas, Kanstuls (920 Pic, CG)
Martin Custom Large Bore, Lots Olds!, Conns, etc.

Man Of Constant Sorrow · Veteran Member Joined: 25 Jun 2023 Posts: 473

I need tuning bits.
I have several vintage ca late 1800s, early 1900s, Shepherd's Crook style Cornets. Most are missing tunings bits ... or, have incorrect pieces.

Any help would be appreciated. Will pay.
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Sub-Optimal Hillbilly Jazz

rhatheway · Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2024 1:54 pm Post subject:

Man Of Constant Sorrow · Veteran Member Joined: 25 Jun 2023 Posts: 473

Thank you for that, rhatheway.

[/b]
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Sub-Optimal Hillbilly Jazz

Dale Proctor · Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2024 6:48 pm Post subject:

I have a couple cornet to trumpet adapters. I also have a Reeves cornet to cornet adapter that I used to bring an 1870s high-pitch cornet into tune with a reenactment band I used to play with.

I see them included quite often in the cases of early 20th century trumpets, and my theory is most people still played cornets at that time, and if you had a favorite mouthpiece you’d been using for years, it allowed you to use it on a trumpet. Back then, the selection of trumpet mouthpieces was pretty sparse and you were usually stuck with the one that came with the trumpet.
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"Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away ." - Sir Thomas Beecham

iiipopes · Heavyweight Member Joined: 29 Jun 2015 Posts: 554

As above, yes, sometimes on older cornets, just like on a flugelhorn, you needed the leadpipe extender to make the mouthpiece seat properly and the cornet play properly.

When I was a boy in the '60's, my Dad had an actual nibbed cornet/trumpet adapter. I think it was because his older brother had a King Silvertone cornet, and he had after awhile a King Super 20 trumpet, and used it until he got a preferred mouthpiece for the trumpet.

So yes, both are out there. Just because it has nibs does not automatically make it one or the other, whether leadpipe or adapter.
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King Super 20 Trumpet; Sov 921 Cornet
Bach cornet modded to be a 181L clone
Couesnon Flugelhorn and C trumpet