Flugel Tapers - Again!

jhatpro · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 6:13 am Post subject: Flugel Tapers - Again!

I'm guessing there are a dozen or more threads on TH about flugel tapers and, yes, this is another one.

Let me start by asking why don't all mouthpiece manufacturers do what Mark Curry does and mark their pieces with what the taper is? For example, Mark's might read Curry 3FL-F meaning it's a 3 rim with a French taper.

By contrast a Laskey flugel piece might read Laskey 70F with no indication whether it's a Bach (Small Morse) taper, a Standard (Large Morse) taper or a French taper.

Even the Flip Oakes flugel pieces are unmarked as to taper, although Flip deserves credit for his instructive You Tube video on the differences between the various tapers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMrbIgqWIso&frags=pl%2Cwn

Mouthpiece Express and Bob Reeves and others have online guides to tapers but these aren't a lot of help if you lack precision measuring tools and are are trying to figure out the taper on a piece with no markings to help.

The problem is further complicated by the fact that you may not know what taper your horn should use because these guides don't (and maybe can't) mention all the flugel brands in the world. For example, none of the guides I've found mention Paris LeBlanc or Scodwell or Willson and many others as well.

The result is much confusion and many players using the wrong taper for their instrument. So mouthpiece makers - please start marking your pieces accordingly. Horn makers, please specify what taper your horn requires. And retailers, please update your guides.

Thank you!
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

dstpt · Heavyweight Member Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 1286

Here, here! +1

Kudos for putting this in writing for all of us, Jim! Maybe they'll listen and make an adjustment in the industry. I went on a flugel mp safari a few months ago, and ended up with a couple that are obviously the wrong size. Off to the TH Marketplace...

shofarguy · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:30 am Post subject:

Jim,

I had not seen Flip's video before, so thanks for posting it! He uses his own Curry-made Extreme Flugel mouthpieces for the video and it is a little hard to spot the difference between Small and Large Morse tapers until he inserts them into each other's receivers.

I've seen a small number of Large Morse taper shanks that were longer than the typical Small Morse shanks. I think that those extended the taper until it became a similar diameter to the Small Morse at the end. The difference is pretty easy to see when that's the case.

Let me just stick in that this is just one of several reasons I really like playing Flip Oakes equipment. Everything is designed to integrate well. Each type and model works well with the others. This is true of the actual instruments AND the mouthpiece choices. It's like a factory camera system. Everything is designed to work together. I think that this is fairly unique in the trumpet industry, with the possible inclusion of Monette and Harrelson.
_________________
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.

jhatpro · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 7:51 am Post subject:

I agree about Flip's flugel pieces. In an effort to make my basement a little lighter I just lined up the five or six flugel pieces I've accumulated and put them all to the test.

Flip's won. It's richer.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

dstpt · Heavyweight Member Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 1286

Richard III · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 8:18 am Post subject:

Sometime back I did a flugelhorn mouthpiece safari looking for something better than Curry. I already had the FO Extreme too. Anyway, I was very careful with each one to make sure the shanks were right. As you say, not always an easy process due the lack of labeling by manufacturers.

In the end, I came back to Curry because the choices were everything I needed. I could find nothing better. I should add that also includes his J cup which is a special order.
_________________
Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

dstpt · Heavyweight Member Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 1286

GuidoCorona · Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 12:34 pm Post subject:

Yep, the "taste test" of DSTPT's F.O. Extreme revealed it to be a delicious rich-tasting MP indeed. Interestingly, the Extreme is not only a specialist's MP dark soft and fuzzy for ballads... It dcan be push hard and can sound pretty powerful and orchestra-ready, with a tone color that approaches a French Horn.... Heard that live on AwesomeDad's fab Adams F5 with copper bell.

Saluti, GUido
_________________
Cornet: Carolbrass CCR7772R-GSS
Euphoniums: Miraphone M5050. Wessex Festivo