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wilsonaaronm08
New Member
Joined: 26 Feb 2023
Posts: 4
Location: Philadelphia
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 Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2023 9:44 pm Post subject: horns with locked in core |
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Hey everyone!
A few days ago at the bar I work at I got to try a performers new Puje trumpet. I've always maintained that having a custom fancy modern trumpet would not make me play or sound better. Even after just a few scales and excerpts I was proven wrong. It had a nice core to the sound but still had great overtones. I felt locked into the notes, like the horn was guiding me into the center of the note. I know Brent's Puje horns are special but it made me think... Maybe I need to give up on the obscure vintage trumpet that I own and get something modern. I can't afford a brand new Bach or other top of the line horns but I've got the itch.
What's out there that is modern but has some of the great slotting ability and mellowness that I'm searching for? Something heavyweight?
_________________
Human living in Philly. Played trumpet in a traveling punk band for a decade. Terrible at jazz but wish I wasn't. What I lack in talent I make up for in volume. Philadelphia's best bar tending trumpeter! |
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mr oakmount
Veteran Member
Joined: 10 Jun 2022
Posts: 150
Location: Europe
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| Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 1:34 am Post subject: |
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| (Since you mention Bach ...) You might be surprised to find out that some of those "custom fancy modern trumpets" might be in the same price range or even lower, since custom makers often charge you for the parts and working hours rather than the brand name ... and since you liked the horn so much, why not start with Mr. Brent? |
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deanoaks
Regular Member
Joined: 02 Apr 2015
Posts: 75
Location: US
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| Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 7:18 am Post subject: |
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Given the MSRP of new Yamahas and Bachs these days, getting a custom horn is not that much more expensive..
A new and shiny trumpet will not make you play any better the same way that just buying a carbon fiber bike won't make a person a Tour de France competitor. However, having the right tool for the job you're trying to accomplish can (if the effort and time is put in) accelerate your progress and make playing the instrument a less laborious.
Puje is great, if you're looking for instruments that lock in pitch center to pitch center, you may also want to consider blackburn, AR resonance, Lotus, or a Yamaha custom series horn that you then go to ITG and have one of their fantastic technicians dial in for you. Heavier does not necessarily mean more defined slotting but does make moving between partials a little more difficult. |
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shofarguy
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 18 Sep 2007
Posts: 7013
Location: AZ
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| Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 8:26 am Post subject: |
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I learned a long time ago that a good trumpet does make you a better player than you are with a mediocre one. Just like a top line bike is better than a cheap one. Otherwise, what's the point?
But, there have always been good and not-so-good horns in any manufacturer's production. And, what is "good" in one player's mind isn't always good in another's. That's what horn safaris are about.
I can already hear the "It's the Indian, not the arrow" boys getting ready to type, but any Indian worth his salt will discard a bad arrow and work to fashion the best arrow he can. It's part of being a warrior or hunter.
So, go find a better trumpet that you can afford. Or, go afford a better trumpet. You won't regret it.
_________________
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. |
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Andy Cooper
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 15 Nov 2001
Posts: 1833
Location: Terre Haute, IN USA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 10:12 am Post subject: Re: horns with locked in core |
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| wilsonaaronm08 wrote: | Hey everyone!
Maybe I need to give up on the obscure vintage trumpet that I own and get something modern....
What's out there that is modern but has some of the great slotting ability and mellowness that I'm searching for? Something heavyweight? |
Sounds like you need a bigger tip jar to generate some funds. 
OK - before you junk you present trumpet - read this.
https://bobreeves.com/blog/tag/gap/
1. Your receiver could just be worn out giving you too little gap.
2. Next consider a two part mouthpiece that would allow you to experiment with different backbores. There are several backbores designed to improve "locking in" to notes in the high register. |
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wilsonaaronm08
New Member
Joined: 26 Feb 2023
Posts: 4
Location: Philadelphia
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| Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 1:49 pm Post subject: Re: horns with locked in core |
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| Andy Cooper wrote: |
Sounds like you need a bigger tip jar to generate some funds.
...
https://bobreeves.com/blog/tag/gap/
1. Your receiver could just be worn out giving you too little gap.
2. Next consider a two part mouthpiece that would allow you to experiment with different backbores. There are several backbores designed to improve "locking in" to notes in the high register. |
Tell me about it! I need a normal job with benefits, haha. I've tried the mouthpiece gap paper trick. It might be part of the issue but it's hard to say.
Good tip about the backbores. I've not gone down that rabbit hole. It's a bit overwhelming and I'm not sure where to begin with it.
The price of new Bachs and Yamahas is stunning, truth be told. I'm most curious about good quality stencil horns (ACB's line, Brasspire, Dillon Music's line, Josh Landress' Midtown brass, Carol, etc). I wonder if modern machining tolerances might help a weekend warrior hobbiest like myself. My old horn has a ton of character. It's a '35 Martin Handcraft Imperial with a Nickel bell. Very unique! It also is truly vintage. Mouthpiece gap? Leaky valves? It adds sound character but also makes it difficult for someone like me to play.
_________________
Human living in Philly. Played trumpet in a traveling punk band for a decade. Terrible at jazz but wish I wasn't. What I lack in talent I make up for in volume. Philadelphia's best bar tending trumpeter! |
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Andy Cooper
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 15 Nov 2001
Posts: 1833
Location: Terre Haute, IN USA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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| wilsonaaronm08 wrote: | | . My old horn has a ton of character. It's a '35 Martin Handcraft Imperial with a Nickel bell. Very unique! It also is truly vintage. Mouthpiece gap? Leaky valves? It adds sound character but also makes it difficult for someone like me to play. |
Great for someone who wants to bend and shape each note - but if that's not your thing, even a modern (last 40 years) student trumpet or cornet will give you more of what you are looking for.
Consider a used step-up trumpet like a King 2055 Silver Flair (not as good as the older Silver Flair pro horn but still good.) Or perhaps a Getzen 700 or Getzen Capri. You should be able to find one of these for less than $800. These trumpets will have good valves and slides and a reasonable resale value should you want to move to a pro-line trumpet later. |
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wilsonaaronm08
New Member
Joined: 26 Feb 2023
Posts: 4
Location: Philadelphia
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| Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Andy Cooper wrote: | | wilsonaaronm08 wrote: | | . My old horn has a ton of character. It's a '35 Martin Handcraft Imperial with a Nickel bell. Very unique! It also is truly vintage. Mouthpiece gap? Leaky valves? It adds sound character but also makes it difficult for someone like me to play. |
Great for someone who wants to bend and shape each note - but if that's not your thing, even a modern (last 40 years) student trumpet or cornet will give you more of what you are looking for.
Consider a used step-up trumpet like a King 2055 Silver Flair (not as good as the older Silver Flair pro horn but still good.) Or perhaps a Getzen 700 or Getzen Capri. You should be able to find one of these for less than $800. These trumpets will have good valves and slides and a reasonable resale value should you want to move to a pro-line trumpet later. |
In high school I used a King 2000, ha! Yes, I became obsessed with "free blowing" horns. Good call on the Getzen Capri, hadn't thought about one of those. I'll stew on the idea and see if I can drive over to Dillon Music and try a bunch of horns soon.
_________________
Human living in Philly. Played trumpet in a traveling punk band for a decade. Terrible at jazz but wish I wasn't. What I lack in talent I make up for in volume. Philadelphia's best bar tending trumpeter! |
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ericmpena
Veteran Member
Joined: 17 Nov 2021
Posts: 262
Location: Kyle, TX
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| Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 10:22 pm Post subject: |
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Check out the Thane Performance or Edwards X-13.
The X-13 is great, but I've had issues with the quality of their finish. If I were to buy another, it would be raw brass.
The Thane Performance is hand crafted and plays exceptionally well. At $3500, you can get a completely custom, hand built trumpet made just for you.
Or you can save yourself some a bunch of money and purchase the one I currently have listed for sale.
I'm a little on the fence about selling it since I just used it this weekend for some gigs and was reminded just how well it plays...but I really don't need two of them.
Either way, I highly recommend checking out Thane Trumpets website. Turnaround time for mine was about 6-7 weeks. And at $3500 for a custom built horn, it's a no brainer. |
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