Bb /C conversion cornets

tsveggie · New Member Joined: 11 Mar 2023 Posts: 3

Please be gentle since I’m no professional but trying to get good for retirement work in nursing homes and such.

I have some issues matching Bb solos with piano accompaniment so I’d rather ad lib vocal solos
But in case of selections using both mediums, are there any convertible cornets that could be recommended for both Bb and C keys?
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tsveggie

Capri cornet
Capri flugelhorn
Committee cornet 1956
Franklin imperial
Martin imperial
Martin Indiana

Rwwilson · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2023 3:35 pm Post subject:

I don't know of any modern Bb/C conversion cornets. If you are interested in vintage cornets, such cornets seem to have been common in the late 1800 and early 1900's. At that time many cornets could be purchased with an array of tuning slides and tuning bits that would allow them to play in different keys, most commonly C, Bb, and A.

tsveggie · New Member Joined: 11 Mar 2023 Posts: 3

I have an old cornet with two lead pipes. It might be missing the C valve slides.
I expect any conversion to be vintage. I have two with a conversion valve before the valves, I will give details in next day or two.
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tsveggie

Capri cornet
Capri flugelhorn
Committee cornet 1956
Franklin imperial
Martin imperial
Martin Indiana

SSmith1226 · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:18 pm Post subject:

The Puje “Do Si Do” is a Bb / C Hybrid Horn (Cornet / Trumpet) available through Brent Peters of Puje Trumpets in Palouse, Washington. If you have access to “Facebook”, he has photos of the horn in a post dated 12/29/22. It is a beautiful, well playing horn that sounds like it will do everything you are looking for.
BTW, if you are not able to see it on Facebook, drop me an email at SSmith1226@aol.com and I’ll send you some screen shots.
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Steve Smith

nieuwguyski · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2023 7:06 pm Post subject:

I have a 1921 Conn 10A "Vocal" cornet. Within the constraints of vintage cornet performance, it plays quite well -- and equally well -- in both Bb and C. They don't tend to command high prices online and it sounds like one in good condition would satisfy your needs nicely.
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J. Notso Nieuwguyski

huntman10 · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2023 6:34 am Post subject:

I have seen a few Getzen 800 Eterna Series C/Bb cornets. They are not easily found, and I don't believe in the current catalogue. I know my Bb Eterna is a fabulous player.

I have a Berkeley (Chinese made low end) Bb/C cornet I picked up when they were trying to break in to the US market about 10 years ago by starting them at 1 cent on eBay auctions and letting them run. I forget what I paid but I was up late and "sniped" it pretty cheaply.

I have played worse horns, but none that I kept or used outside the house. The sound is actually rather nice, intonation is quirky. I did take it to church ( not during a service, however) to test the acoustics. It sounded fine, but I was not playing accompanied.
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huntman10
Collector/Player of Fine (and not so fine) Brass Instruments including
Various Strads, Yammies, Al Hirt Courtois, Schilkes,
Selmer 25, Getzen Eternas, Kanstuls (920 Pic, CG)
Martin Custom Large Bore, Lots Olds!, Conns, etc.

tsveggie · New Member Joined: 11 Mar 2023 Posts: 3