NAMM experiences - new Bachs

OldSchoolEuph · Heavyweight Member Joined: 07 Apr 2012 Posts: 2441

So who played them and what did you think?

Perusing YouTube and Google in general, there is lots from NAMM this year - but almost nothing on one of the biggest (I would have expected) stories of the year. A couple videos of people quoting marketing blurbs (one of whom indicated twice that the vindobona slide closes down from leadpipe to valves) that seemed to have little idea what they were talking about. The best, was a video by Conn-Selmer showing the 19043 with great details in the descriptive text. The accompanying music unfortunately was played on prior generation 37s for some reason.

So unlike past major maker product launches, I have heard very little - actually only from two people, both of whom were impressed not by the X or V horns, but by the Apollo (which does sound intriguing, both figuratively and literally in the one sample I have heard)

So: did you try them? What is your take on them ??
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Ron Berndt
www.trumpet-history.com

2017 Austin Winds Stage 466
1962 Mt. Vernon Bach 43
1954 Holton 49 Stratodyne
1927 Conn 22B
1957 Holton 27 cornet
1985 Yamaha YEP-621
1975 Yamaha YEP-321 Custom
1965 Besson Baritone
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chef8489 · Posted: Wed May 03, 2023 4:25 pm Post subject:

Here is a short video of one of my friends opening her new 19072x and Apollo. She plays a short clip against the 19072v she has been using. I know it isn't much but it is something. I'm getting a new Bach very soon, but it is a 19072g so I can't really comment how the other horns play as I have not played them. I am interested in the 190l65gv though.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cryj-_6AJQs/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
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2023 Bach 19072G/43 pipe with 1st trigger
1966 H.N. White King Silver Flair
1965 H.N. White King Super 20 Sllversonic Symphony 1st trigger

stuartissimo · Posted: Wed May 03, 2023 9:37 pm Post subject:

They sound equally impressive to me. Your friend is quite a skilled player.
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1975 Olds Recording trumpet
1997 Getzen 700SP trumpet
1955 Olds Super cornet
1939 Buescher 280 flugelhorn
AR Resonance mouthpieces

chef8489 · Posted: Wed May 03, 2023 9:46 pm Post subject:

Dayton · Posted: Thu May 04, 2023 12:47 am Post subject:

The only one I've played is the Apollo 17043GYR. It is a very responsive horn, and seemed like a really efficient set up to me. It's not the same sound I get with my (1st generation) 19043, but it is similar: A nice fullness with a bit more spread than a 37, that brightens up very quickly when pushed.

As an aside, I've always regarded Bach valves as "fine," but lacking the great feel of Getzen, Schilke, new Van Laar...so worth noting that these valves felt fantastic. Silky smooth and really fast, with just enough resistance.

I prefer a slightly more open blow, such as you get with a Strad 37 or 43 with a 25 leadpipe. It would be interesting to try an Apollo 43 with a 25R leadpipe vice the 6R.

chef8489 · Posted: Thu May 04, 2023 12:57 am Post subject:

Dayton · Posted: Thu May 04, 2023 3:10 am Post subject:

dschwab · Heavyweight Member Joined: 06 Sep 2004 Posts: 518

OldSchoolEuph · Heavyweight Member Joined: 07 Apr 2012 Posts: 2441

Vin DiBona · Posted: Thu May 04, 2023 7:54 am Post subject:

Last summer, I was able to put a prototype of a Bach 37 through its paces. ( was sworn to secrecy and cannot even say who had it for us to try).
It was very different from my 50th Anniversary 190/37S. It was a very promising beginning and was the .456 bore model.
What was explained was over the years, the specifications on Bach's original designs had been altered. Bell tails, among other specs, had become too big resulting in a lack of continuity from model to model.
After many months, the powers that be at Conn-Selmer allowed these "new" innovations to be released.
There were some real heavy hitters (I was not one of them) testing these designs and giving their input on what would make them better.
R. Tomasek

OldSchoolEuph · Heavyweight Member Joined: 07 Apr 2012 Posts: 2441

dschwab · Heavyweight Member Joined: 06 Sep 2004 Posts: 518

Vin DiBona · Posted: Thu May 04, 2023 3:16 pm Post subject:

It was last year, but let's see if I can give a good analysis.
The 190/37S was hand picked by friend and mentor who is on at least 6 Chicago Symphony recordings and performed with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Fritz Reiner. He knows his way around a horn.

That said, the 190/37S is the finest Bach I have ever played. Most of the really good ones I have played were someone else's and they would not give them up. This horn has an even blow from the lowest F# to the highest I can easily reach, the F above high C. The resistance is moderate and feels very good. The intonation is outstanding and it has that great Bach core sound. It is very easy to color the sound and has an easy blow.

The prototype did have some of those characteristics. There was an added weight on the first slide and had slightly different braces on the bell.
This prototype (37 bell/25 pipe) was very even with a solid core up to around an A above the staff where it started to get tighter as one went higher. The intonation was good, but not as good as my own horn. The bell tail was a .456 which added a slight resistance where my horn is just a tiny bit more open. It's sound was obviously the Bach sound.

It was a good horn, but needed more tweaking to be a great horn. There was no question they were on the right track.

R. Tomasek