Joined: 25 Mar 2010 Posts: 5299 Location: Central Texas
Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2016 4:32 pm Post subject:
There's one (and probably only one) way to know for sure.
Do real blind ABX testing and see if the difference is real or placebo. Anything short of that is just marketing. _________________ "Music is like candy, you throw the (w)rappers away."
I finally broke down and bought the brass version. It adds 14 grams with two small contact points. The binder clip adds only 9 grams but has more contact points.
Like others have said I immediately noticed a difference in tone and response. In fact, since my grandkids were sleeping, the first time I tried it was with a practice mute and I could hear a difference in tone.
The spectrum analyzer on my phone shows higher peaks across more frequencies with the sound bridge than without but that could just be psychological.
I'm in no position to argue bad science versus good science, but I'm reasonably certain that dismissing something because you think it won't work is no science at all.
I bought the brass model and gave it a go. My subjective feeling was that the sound became more concentated or compact and the horn felt stiff and less agile. I should try it again and get a second impression to confirm that it wasn't for me.
Joined: 06 Aug 2003 Posts: 213 Location: San Diego
Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2016 11:31 pm Post subject:
OK, let's play. Did you watch the YouTube video of Steve Dillard playing with it on and off on the horn? It's on the horn trader web site. I will happily do a blind test. Tell me how you want it to be done and I will make a video. Cover my eyes... Whatever. Let's play.
Joined: 30 Oct 2012 Posts: 1838 Location: Austin/New York City
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:18 am Post subject:
I keep threatening to post some videos, but I honestly just haven't had the time.
This thing WORKS. Now, if I could just stop knocking the damn thing off on the bandstand.
Edit: With all of that said, I don't particularly like it when playing lead. The slots are too locked in for my taste. _________________ www.mikesailors.com
Last edited by Mike Sailors on Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:31 am; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 30 Oct 2012 Posts: 1838 Location: Austin/New York City
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:28 am Post subject:
If you watch the horntrader video, just listen to the high C with and without it.
That should be enough evidence for anyone! _________________ www.mikesailors.com
Of course, the videos are not blind comparisons. And not even remotely anything like double-blind. _________________ '75 Bach Strad 180ML/37
'79 King Silver Flair
'07 Flip Oakes Wild Thing
'42 Selmer US
'90 Yamaha YTR6450S(C)
'12 Eastman ETR-540S (D/Eb)
'10 Carol CPT-300LR pkt
'89 Yamaha YCR2330S crnt
'13 CarolBrass CFL-6200-GSS-BG flg
Joined: 25 May 2013 Posts: 2123 Location: Atlanta GA
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 11:50 am Post subject:
I've had my Lefreque (red brass, silver plated) for 3 weeks now. I still notice an improvement when I use it. I've tried to get in the habit of putting it on the instrument, then just play and forget about it. I'm pretty much there, although I'm reminded every now and then when I play a note that feels especially good. "Oh yeah, I wonder if the gadget helped with that..."
I was worried that I might become dependent on the thing so that, if I ever lost it, I wouldn't be able to play as well. I tried playing without it earlier today, after using it for several weeks, and that wasn't a problem. Still, I'd rather have the thing on the instrument.
I understand the skepticism. That's what I thought too, before I tried it. All I can say is, I think it really works. _________________ Bb Yamaha Xeno 8335IIS
Cornet Getzen Custom 3850S
Flugelhorn Courtois 155R
Piccolo Stomvi
To me, the sound is definitely different between each playing. The feel of the horn is drastically different as well, specifically in terms of slotting.
First Example - with
Second example - without _________________ www.mikesailors.com
I have a 43* Strad and I prefer the response without the sound bridge. I have tried to like heavy valve trim kits but they are not for me. The effect in the video is what I experienced on a two octave C major scale though. Perhaps nott my cup of tea.
Joined: 30 Oct 2012 Posts: 1838 Location: Austin/New York City
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 12:42 pm Post subject:
Uberopa wrote:
I have a 43* Strad and I prefer the response without the sound bridge. I have tried to like heavy valve trim kits but they are not for me. The effect in the video is what I experienced on a two octave C major scale though. Perhaps nott my cup of tea.
I'm playing a 70's era 37 in that video.
I know what you're talking about, Uberopa. I like it to be slippery up there when I'm playing over the top of a band so I don't use it in those playing situations. For everything else, I prefer it.
I've let some others guy try it, and the feelings have been mixed in terms of liking the effects that the LeFreque offers. However, they all say it changes something in the sound and in the response. That part can't be denied, in my opinion. _________________ www.mikesailors.com
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