ACB 2RL, Manchester Brass RL-GB or Adams Prologue???

billm67 · Regular Member Joined: 13 Jun 2014 Posts: 16

I am a comeback player that has been playing on a student horn for the last four months. I am looking for a budget friendly horn that will be a good step up from the Getzen 490 I am playing. I am specifically having issues with the slotting in the c/d/e flat area on my current horn. All three look like they would be good step up /pro quality horns. I am looking for an all around horn and would like to get involved in a community band in 2020. Any feedback you can provide would be a great help.

Manuel de los Campos

steevo · Veteran Member Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 454

I completely agree with Manuel. In fact, I would very much prefer a Getzen 490 to the other trumpets you mentioned.

That doesn't mean that there aren't issues to address. I would suggest to have your Getzen looked at by a competent repair technician. All trumpets need to be maintained. It is very possible that your trumpet may need to be cleaned, and have the valves aligned.

You don't necessarily need a fancy "precision valve alignment", but I think a regular valve alignment may work just fine. The technician can also check to see if there is something wacky with your mouthpiece gap, and have a solution if that is an issue. Your Getzen is really a fine trumpet in design and construction. It is better than most student and so called "step-up" horns.

As a comeback player, you may also want to consider taking some lessons to get you back on track. Even if you don't want to take lessons on a regular basis, a handful of lessons may really help giving you the right momentum.

I wish you the best of luck!

-Steve

Brad361 · Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 10:42 am Post subject:

I really can’t speak to two of those three horns, but I did own the Manchester Brass mentioned. (I also own one of their flugels, DEFINITELY pro level).
IMO, it absolutely did not play like a student horn, it’s not marketed as a student horn either. I thought it was comparable to a Carol Brass pro level instrument ...that I also owned.

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

billm67 · Regular Member Joined: 13 Jun 2014 Posts: 16

I am guessing that everyone is talking more along the lines of a bach 37 or a Yamaha...but not having much of a selection selection in Central PA I am concerned of buying a used horn on-line. I was looking at some of the Carol Brass horns...such as the 5060h silver...but are they in the same league as the Bach and Yamaha?

austincustombrass · Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 9:47 am Post subject:

JayKosta · Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 11:45 am Post subject:

BobD · Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2019 7:43 pm Post subject:

I've had the RL-GB and currently own the Adams ACB horn which is essentially a Prologue with some ACB "tweaks". I've also had Yamaha pro horns, Carol Brass pro horns , Jupiter Pro Horns, Getzen pro horns and Kanstul pro horns.

I think both the RL-GB and the Adams/ACB horns are completely the equal of those pro horns. In fact the Adams/ACB has the best valves and 1st/3rd valve slides I've ever used.

Give ACB a call.
_________________
Adams/ACB collaborative
Yamaha Shew Jazz and Bach 7C

billm67 · Regular Member Joined: 13 Jun 2014 Posts: 16

Just a quick update...I ended up buying a Carol Brass 5060h. I've had it for less than 24 hours and I love the horn. I gave it a bath and cleaned the valves and it feels great. The valves need broken in but it's already a great horn. It is so easy to play and and the slotting is so much better. Thanks for everyone's help in my search for this horn.