Joined: 13 Jan 2014 Posts: 20 Location: Southwest Florida, USA
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2020 4:36 pm Post subject: Three "Top Brand" Flugelhorn Demonstration!
Ever wonder what three Flugelhorns can sound like on the same song without having to switch between different videos? Of course you haven't!
In this video I demonstrate three Flugelhorns by:
1. CarolBrass model CFL-9990-RSS
2. Van Laar model Oiram Fresu
3. Andy Taylor model Standard
They were recorded in my studio with an AKG C100S microphone through an Apogee One interface directly into Logic Pro X, Each track has the same settings for EQ (flat), Compression, Reverb (Lexicon Large Plate) and volume. In addition, for an accurate comparison the same mouthpiece (Dennis Wick 4FL) was used on each horn. If you close your eyes you'll find that each horn is close in tone. Enjoy and thanks for listening!
Joined: 26 Jun 2017 Posts: 1543 Location: Virginia USA
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2020 5:52 pm Post subject:
Interesting comparison. I found the Andy Taylor most pleasing to my ear, a little clearer and a little warmer.
Thanks. _________________ Bb: Schilke X3L AS SP, Yamaha YTR-6335S
C: Schilke CXL, Kanstul 1510-2
Picc: Kanstul 920
Bb Bugle: Kanstul
Bb Pocket: Manchester Brass
Flugel: Taylor Standard
Bass Trumpet: BAC Custom
Natural Tr: Custom Haas replica by Nikolai Mänttäri Morales
Interesting comparison. I found the Andy Taylor most pleasing to my ear, a little clearer and a little warmer.
Thanks.
It's interesting how people hear the same things yet hear them in different ways. The Taylor sounded the "fluffiest" to me, the most diffused, the least clear (which I liked the best). To me, the CarolBrass and the Van Laar sounded very similar to each other and less "fluffy," less diffused and more clear than the Taylor. _________________ HERMOKIWI
Interesting comparison. I found the Andy Taylor most pleasing to my ear, a little clearer and a little warmer.
Thanks.
It's interesting how people hear the same things yet hear them in different ways. The Taylor sounded the "fluffiest" to me, the most diffused, the least clear (which I liked the best). To me, the CarolBrass and the Van Laar sounded very similar to each other and less "fluffy," less diffused and more clear than the Taylor.
Good point!
I heard them similarly to you, the Taylor definitely the fluffiest. I thought the Laar was just barely between the two from a sound perspective but when accounting for pitch and note connection gave the Laar a small edge. I thought the Laar had enough fluff but more refined
Joined: 26 Jun 2017 Posts: 1543 Location: Virginia USA
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2020 7:47 pm Post subject:
HERMOKIWI wrote:
It's interesting how people hear the same things yet hear them in different ways.
Or at least describe them differently. Heck, who knows if the red color I see actually looks the same to you. We only know that we have learned to describe something as red. So when it comes to the descriptions of sounds, your fluffy may be my warm, because we were not taught a common vocabulary for them.
But yes, I agree with you that it is very interesting how we hear things differently. Perhaps it is what we are listening for at the time. The two other horns seemed a little duller to me, not that they were bad at all, just different. _________________ Bb: Schilke X3L AS SP, Yamaha YTR-6335S
C: Schilke CXL, Kanstul 1510-2
Picc: Kanstul 920
Bb Bugle: Kanstul
Bb Pocket: Manchester Brass
Flugel: Taylor Standard
Bass Trumpet: BAC Custom
Natural Tr: Custom Haas replica by Nikolai Mänttäri Morales
2. Van Laar model Oiram Fresu (Gold Brass Bell) MSRP $4,600. (US)
Finish: Palladium w/ Raw Brass Bell
3. Andy Taylor model Standard (Red Brass Bell) MSRP $5,975. (US)
Finish: Satin/Polished SilverPlate w/clear Lacquer
For as close as they sound against each other it's a no brainer that the CarolBrass model is the best bang for the buck.
BTW, If you're in the market for any CarolBrass horn I am a dealer and any horn they make can be purchased through me. _________________ Van Laar Oiram Fresu Flugelhorn
Andy Taylor Flugelhorn (Standard)
Interesting comparison. I found the Andy Taylor most pleasing to my ear, a little clearer and a little warmer.
Thanks.
It's interesting how people hear the same things yet hear them in different ways. The Taylor sounded the "fluffiest" to me, the most diffused, the least clear (which I liked the best). To me, the CarolBrass and the Van Laar sounded very similar to each other and less "fluffy," less diffused and more clear than the Taylor.
Good point. Byron Autrey commented on how people hear sound differently. It's made me wonder about all of the possible factors that contribute. Our ears are formed differently, I imagine, and that is probably the first factor. My ears have been damaged over the years, or at least I have to filter out tinnitus when I listen carefully. What I know is that it is very much harder now to "pull out" one person's voice from the ambient noise of a crowded room. I need to add the visual "filter" of lip reading to do it.
Then, there are the microphone used to make the recording; the applications used to process the file; the compression ratios; and the speakers used to play the file. All of these contribute to our perception and in each case there are variations.
In a live situation, a person sitting directly (or nearly so) in front of the performer will hear each instrument at its fullest, whereas a person sitting off to one side may be where one horn's projection pattern is still full and another's is too narrow for that person to hear all of the sound.
Then, there is the mental factor. What are we listening for? What are we focused on? It's like when you decide to buy car X. All of a sudden, you begin to notice so many more X cars than you did before! Where did they all come from? _________________ 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.
Joined: 08 Jun 2017 Posts: 61 Location: Toledo Ohio
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 7:02 am Post subject:
I don't own the Carol Brass flugelhorn in the video from Bill Colletti but the instrument is definitely a beautiful one!
I do own a Getzen Eterna Trumpet bought new about 10 years ago. An older 1970's Bach Strad Model 37 and a newer Carol Brass Trumpet that I bought through Thomann Music.
The Carol Brass trumpet plays beautifully, the fit and finish are exemplary and the horn comes with an extra tuning slide, extra valve buttons and heavy weight valve caps. And at a price that makes it hard to believe you are getting this much quality in a trumpet this inexpensive.
I would not hesitate to buy another Carol Brass instrument.
John
Joined: 25 Dec 2006 Posts: 1015 Location: Mid-Hudson Valley, NY
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 7:35 am Post subject:
Thank you for doing this comparison. Nice sound!
I like the sound of the Van Laar best, followed closely by the Taylor. Each sounded more lyrical than the Carol Brass.
You say you own both these horns, and I think it shows. There were little irregularities in the attack of a few notes on the Carol Brass, which might mean you were fighting the horn a bit to get the right intonation. _________________ Matt Finley https://mattfinley.bandcamp.com/releases
Kanstul 1525 flugel with French taper, Shires Bb Destino Med & C trumpets, Schilke XA1 cornet, Schagerl rotary, Schilke P5-4 picc, Yamaha soprano sax, Powell flute. Sanborn GR66MS & Touvron-D.
Joined: 16 Aug 2011 Posts: 1322 Location: Twixt the Moor and the Sea, UK
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2020 10:17 am Post subject:
My vote goes to the Taylor.
I listened with my eyes closed so as not to be influenced by the names. _________________ "Nearly as good as I need to be. Not nearly as good as I want to be".
Smith-Watkins Bb
Will Spencer Bb
Eclipse Flugel
Smith Watkins K2 Cornet
JP152 C Trumpet
Besson Bugle
Joined: 03 Nov 2011 Posts: 2322 Location: Beavercreek, OH
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 7:06 am Post subject:
Yeah, you sounded like you.. hard at time to distinguish, especially with the track behind you... but, I liked the Van Laar a bit better, and the CarolBrass the least-it felt like you were having to work more to get your sound, more "feathering" going on.
Plus, maybe, a little hint of not being as familiar with the Van Laar? I listened several times and got my headphones out- hey, why not? We all have lots of free time right now...
To compare more, it might be fun to hear a different tune, and style without a background track (or less in the mix)
My issue with the couple of Taylor instruments that I've played (beyond the wonky valve action) was the inability to change the color - they seemed pretty locked into a color...
And then, find an Adams to toss into the mix.. _________________ Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman
Joined: 20 May 2018 Posts: 68 Location: San Antonio
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 6:33 am Post subject:
Thank you for this. A beautiful piece played beautifully on beautiful instruments.
I preferred the sections played on the van Laar as its voice seemed slightly stronger and more stable without additional volume or apparent pressure. The CarolBrass seemed just a smidge stuffy, the Taylor slightly less so, and the van Laar the most open sound.
Again, thank you, and a nicely done video. _________________ Olds NA5MS Cor
Conn '22 80A New Wonder Cor w/m
White '15 King Liberty Silver Trum
Conn '27 22B New York Symphony Trum
White '25 King Liberty Silver Trum
JinYin '15 Marching Bb Fr Horn
Conn '35 New Wonder 80A Corn w/m
Pan-Am '23 40I Bari
Joined: 13 Jan 2014 Posts: 20 Location: Southwest Florida, USA
Posted: Fri May 08, 2020 9:39 am Post subject:
CartersPop wrote:
Thank you for this. A beautiful piece played beautifully on beautiful instruments.
I preferred the sections played on the van Laar as its voice seemed slightly stronger and more stable without additional volume or apparent pressure. The CarolBrass seemed just a smidge stuffy, the Taylor slightly less so, and the van Laar the most open sound.
Again, thank you, and a nicely done video.
Well, you described it perfectly as it appears to me from my perspective as a player as it matches your perspective as a listener. Perhaps you have a sixth sense? _________________ Van Laar Oiram Fresu Flugelhorn
Andy Taylor Flugelhorn (Standard)
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