Commercial horns with easiest projection?

chip crotts

Hi All,

I'm interested to hear what horns you've played that seem to have the easiest acoustic projection for most commercial/big band type applications. I'm at a point in my career and age that I'm focusing more on "bang for the buck" with sound and trying to find the sweet spot where I'm comfortable dynamically, but getting the most projection out of my horn.

I've been playing my Yamaha 6310Z off and on for almost 25 years, but as I've recently fully recovered from Bell's Palsy, I'm working on even more efficiency. I've come back stronger in many ways this time around, but as I'm also recording myself more these days, I just don't quite feel that the Z "sparkles" enough without having to lean into it more than I'd like. I want to be able to sit back and coast and let the projection do more of the work now.

I've been thinking about trying other horns such as Schilke Faddis, Jupiter Ingram, Bach Commercial, Callet, Calicchio, Benge and also a few lightweight Shires. I'm comfortable with most bore sizes from M to ML, so I'm open to all suggestions and appreciate your insight.

Best acoustic projection and sound with moderate amount of work, GO!

Trumpetmannj · Regular Member Joined: 17 Oct 2014 Posts: 80

The z horn is probably easiest to play, rogers horn is his interpretation of a z Horn, I like the benge 3x for sound to effort ratio. Also the schilke b6
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zaferis · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 6:18 pm Post subject:

I think they are all worth a try, if you can manage that.

But IMO, there are 2 "must try"s the Bach Commercial and Shires Destino III.

Love my Bach. It has that warmth of a Bach with a lightness, and great feedback (easy to hear what you're doing) and you can light it up if you want. Even though it says Large Bore, it does not play or feel large. I've had nothing but positive response from audience and fellow musicians.

And the Destino III's that I've played are marvelous trumpets. Sparkle and shine in the sound, even from top to bottom and a breeze to play. Just a step up in $$$
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Lee Adams · Last edited by Lee Adams on Mon Oct 01, 2018 8:30 am; edited 2 times in total

While the Callet "Jazz" is well known for responsiveness and projection.
The Callet "Jazz" Gen II introduced in 2017 has refinements that have further enhanced the response and resonance of this great horn. With various lead pipe venturi and main tuning slide options to suit a wide variety of player preferences!

The new Callet "Jazz" LT also intoduced in 2017 has a lighter gauge bell and lead/commercial guys are really liking them!

Last but not least the Studio Artist model and Studio Artist LT are very efficient horns to consider!

I have all models available for trial here in the Atlanta area. Lets get together!

Here are some guys diggin the Jazz LT and Studio Artist LT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBtm5uaePT8[b][/b

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"Horns that won't hold you back"

https://www.facebook.com/Calletcom-Custom-Trumpets-170821893321793/
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mike ansberry · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 9:01 pm Post subject:

My Conn 40B projects more than any other tpt I've ever played. With the heavy brass bell, heavy valve casings, and added mass on the main tuning slide and the 3rd valve slide, it really throws the sound forward. I love it in loud rock bands. But in a concert band setting I don't get enough feedback from the horn to hear myself. (I have significant hearing loss) Not getting feedback makes it very hard to play in tune, blend, etc.
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benlewis · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 9:06 pm Post subject:

I am a retired U.S. Navy musician and bandmaster whose background has been mostly legit and BQ playing. I am now in position where I play a lot of shows and the best horn for me in commercial situations is the Yamaha 20th Anniversary Xeno. My natural sound leans towards the "woofie" side; with my custom Schilke piccolo mouthpiece made by Scott Laskey in the 80s and a GR #41 adapter, I have a fairly easy and accurate high end (disclaimer; I top out at g/g#), while being able to produce an acceptably warm sound when required. I just finished a month-long run of Newsies, which has a lot of exposed playing that hangs in the upper register for pages at a time. I was able to make it through the show and end the evening feeling pretty strong. A trombone player whose opinion I respect says "the gold Yamaha sounds the best." He's heard me play on a Monette, Bachs, a vintage King Silver Flair, a Benge 3X+, a Schilke B1B, and a Shires Model A...

Now I don't play Wayne-style lead, but I think for all-around commercial work, the combination of the reversed lead pipe, the traditional placement of the forward bell brace, and the larger bell are a unique and efficient combination.

HTH; cheers,

Ben

gchun01 · Veteran Member Joined: 29 Mar 2013 Posts: 270

For me, the Stomvi VRaptor/VRII does exactly what you asked. It speaks very quickly with minimal air and effort. The sound is rich and the intonation is great.

It has the most projection of all my horns. (Schilke S42, Calicchio 1s/2)

Seymor B Fudd

Pete · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 5:10 am Post subject:

Have you tried the 8310Z? It does play differently than the 6310Z.

You asked about projection not feedback. The 8310Z that I play has both.

Good luck!

Pete

Yamahaguy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 3992

Some of my favorites:

Benge 2x+, 3x, and 5x
Yamaha 8335 LA
Calicchio 1s2
Kanstul Chicago MLP

John Mohan · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 8:43 am Post subject:

Selmer Claude Gordon (CG) model
Benge CG

trpthrld · Heavyweight Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 4810

Kanstul 1601
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Locutus2k · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 12:28 am Post subject:

The answer to your question for me is Lawler TL5 horn. Not easy to find one now that Lawler stopped making them.
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JeffM729 · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 6:46 am Post subject:

In my experiences over the years, the Selmer Claude Gordon and the Yamaha 8310Z were the "easiest" trumpets to perform on.

Lawler Bb · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 7:16 am Post subject:

Can't go wrong with Schilke. S42 projects like a cannon, but it can have a little less feedback than other models (it's pretty focused). S32 gives you a slightly larger core while retaining good efficiency. B6 is another good option.
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kehaulani · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 8:13 am Post subject:

I have had an operation on my lungs as well as two strokes that affected my breathing and I have no problem with any of the trumpets I have.

May not give you the tone you're seeking, but I also had a Getzen Severinsen with which I also had no problem.
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Tony Scodwell · Heavyweight Member Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 1961

Not as well known as the "big" names in the industry, the Scodwell USA was designed for precisely those reasons cited. Maximum vibrance, intentional player feed back and projection that has been proven in a scientific evaluation.
The "Standard" model often referred to as "The Las Vegas" model is the choice of some very fine lead players in the Las Vegas showrooms and surprisingly some principal players in orchestras have chosen this model as well. I designed the "Boston" model after feedback from a group of the finest studio players in LA saying they preferred a "rounder" sound quality for the work that they do. That said, the "Boston" model was chosen by the trumpet player in one of the most famous horn sections of all, Earth Wind and Fire prior to the groups signing with Eastman. A look at the YouTube videos called "Tony Scodwell building trumpets, part one and two will give you more details on what goes into the instruments I build. My website is worth a look as well.

Tony Scodwell
www.scodwellusa.com

delano · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 9:48 am Post subject:

What always puzzles me with threads like this one is the method to handle all this information. My roughly counting gives about 32 different recommendations. My experience with threads like this is that another week will at least double this amount. (mostly these questions top off at 60 to 80 answers). And all recommendations seem to be reasonable and to the point.
What to do now? Play them all? (seriously and thoroughly).

giakara · Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 10:15 am Post subject:

Lawler TL5-1A
Calicchio 1S2
Getzen Eterna

The Lawler is my favourite but overall the Calicchio is the best commercial horn I ever touch.

Regards
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