Why did Doc move away from Getzens?

kehaulani

Doc has played several post-Getzen "Severinson's". I just played a Getzen Severinson and it's superb. Does anybody know why he changed?
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

MarkZ · Heavyweight Member Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 615

I don't know why Doc moved to other horns, however, I own one bought new in 1974. The Getzen Severinsens are undervalued. Fantastic big band horn. I think Doc once said the only thing wrong was they didn't charge enough!
_________________
Monette LTJ Bb
Getzen Severinsen Bb
Kanstul 1500 Bb
Kanstul 1525 flugel
Monette Prana B2S3, B2FL, B2LS3
Monette Prana FLG2

homecookin · Heavyweight Member Joined: 07 Nov 2013 Posts: 868

I read in an interview many years ago, that Doc Severinsen
wasn't entirely happy with the Bell on the Getzen Severinsen model.
I can't recall at the moment, but in this article Doc mentioned the name of the man
that was actually responsible for designing the Severinsen model for Doc.
I believe the article was in an old ITG journal.

dershem · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 5:37 pm Post subject:

Doc is a 'gearhead' and always looking for the new, better horn. He also has oodles of makers looking to him to promote their horns. I have a friend who was in business with him to build horns (The Severinsen-Akright Bel Canto) that were works of art, but after a while, Doc got a better offer.

LittleRusty · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 6:33 pm Post subject:

HERMOKIWI · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 2581

I attended a clinic Doc gave about a year ago. Someone brought a vintage Getzen Severinsen model and asked Doc to play a few notes on it. Doc played a few scales and then said, "Sometimes I think I should have just stayed with this."

Doc is very into technical details of horn building. He talked a lot about that at his clinic and about how he has given very exacting specifications to horn builders to make him horns of his own design. What he didn't explain is the specifics of how his specifications are supposed to give him what he wants. He didn't explain/define what he wants in anything more than very general terms.

It's interesting to me that a player of his incredible ability is so focused on microscopic details of horn design. Doc would sound great on any decent horn. At his level does the horn really make much difference as long as it's a decent horn in good working order?
_________________
HERMOKIWI

Crazy Finn

shofarguy · Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 8:50 pm Post subject:

Shhh! The dog is asleep. Don't disturb him.
_________________
Brian A. Douglas

Flip Oakes Wild Thing Bb Trumpet in copper
Flip Oakes Wild Thing Flugelhorn in copper

There is one reason that I practice: to be ready at the downbeat when the final trumpet sounds.

Brad361 · Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 9:42 am Post subject:

I'll bet Tony Scodwell will chime in here.

Brad
_________________
When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval

lewins · Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 10:03 am Post subject:

I strongly suspect that Doc has a financial interest in Shires, either directly through an ownership percentage, or indirectly through royalties or commissions. I actually got to meet him at ITG this year in the Shires room, and he was helping sell their horns.

bnsd · Veteran Member Joined: 17 Jun 2014 Posts: 126

I'm guessing money

as far as the question somebody asked... yes; he would sound great on any horn, and most of us would donate a body part to sound like he does... but at the highest level of every profession/skillset, the smallest of details matter. I've seen it in downhilling, motox, skateboarding, etc. I had a $1700 mountain bike (when that was a lot) and was constantly trading up (because I could afford it and it made it more enjoyable... I'm married now, I can't afford bikes anymore). At the professional or semi-professional level, small details matter, even if they are only in your head

shofarguy · Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 10:28 am Post subject:

giakara · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 5:37 am Post subject:

Vin DiBona · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 8:18 am Post subject:

I would think that what Doc does in relation to who makes his horns and why he leaves one manufacturer for another really isn't anyone's business but Doc and the manufacturer. Certainly not the general trumpet population.
A reasonable assumption is the manufacturer does have more business generation its way with Doc on board.
R. Tomasek

kehaulani · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 8:37 am Post subject:

Usedtobegood · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 10:28 am Post subject:

Great history of Doc's horns by Tony Scodwell. I had always heard the rumor Doc's Getzens had Bach bells...

https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1451456&highlight=#1451456

kehaulani · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 10:45 am Post subject:

Thank you, Usedtobegood, (funny pseudonym BTW), a lot of pertinent information. Just what I was looking for.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

John Mohan · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 12:07 pm Post subject:

shofarguy · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 12:34 pm Post subject:

Vin DiBona · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2017 1:05 pm Post subject:

Kehaulani.
My comment was not directed at your question. I don't think it is anyone's business what profit - if any - Doc derives from a switch of manufacturers.
An old ITG article about Doc mentions his delight with the sound of a 37 style bell. Perhaps that is all he is really looking for? A better 37?
R. Tomasek