Best Getzen cornet for brass bands

[dlangor]

I am thinking about buying a Getzen Bb cornet for playing in a British-style brass band. Why? 20-25 year ago I played a Getzen (borrowed) and loved it. Unfortunately, where I live, there are no stores where one can go to try a variety of cornets. They must be special ordered and you must buy it before a cornet is brought in. Thus, one has to rely on feedback from experienced people before placing an order and committing $1000s. For those of you with experience playing Getzen professional models (Custom, Eterna, Eterna Deluxe) in brass bands, especially on solo cornet parts and for solos, is there any concensus on which model is best, if any? I have also considered a Yamaha Neo based on a brief experience of testing one 8-9 years ago for 10 minutes (nice experience). I am not a fan of Besson. All advice/experiences are greatly appreciated.

[Louise Finch]

[Dayton]

The Getzen 800 Eterna is popular in brass bands in the USA. It is also fairly easy to find new or used, and easy to sell if you later determine that another model would work better for you.

As an aside, your mouthpiece will probably be at least as important as your horn. If you don't already have a cornet mouthpiece to help with the brass band sound you want, the line up from Denis Wick is a pretty good place to start.

Have fun!

[Bionx]

I play the pre-Neo 8335S Xeno cornet. Personally I thoroughly enjoy the sonorous sound that the Xeno gives. However, when I tried a friend’s 8335G (also pre-Neo), it sounded surprisingly brighter despite it having a gold brass bell. Apart from that, it was pretty in tune throughout most notes.

Unfortunately I’ve never tried the Neo so I can’t comment on that.

I also tried a Getzen Eterna Deluxe. I found the blow to be very tight and the sound is rather muted (i.e. no “ring” in the sound). It could well be a dog which I tried but that was my 10min opinion after trying it!

I agree with Dayton - the mouthpiece is very important! If Denis Wick is not easily available, give the Yamaha short shank mouthpieces a shot. Good luck!
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Bb Yamaha Xeno YTR-9335NYS
Bb Bach Strad 190S37 50th Anniversary
C Bach Philly
C Conn Vintage One
Bb Yamaha Xeno YCR-8335S
Scodwell USA Flugelhorn

[Louise Finch]

[Dale Proctor]

When considering Getzen cornets, I prefer the modern 3850 over the 800, but I’ve only played the older 800 model, not the new redesigned ones.
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"Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away ." - Sir Thomas Beecham

[Seymor B Fudd]

Between 1970 up to 2010 I played on a Getzen Eterna (LB), front row, in our brass band. The whole section played on Getzen. We were fortunate enough to enjoy some of the classical brass band directors from the UK but no one said anything with regards to the sound being too bright. From the beginning 1980s the Wicks arrived of course making the sound more, shall I say, muffled, darker.

During the years 2011-2022 I played on a Getzen 3850, as did our principal.
The difference vis-à-vis the Eterna can be summarized thus: requires more air, sound a bit rounder. Today I play on a Yamaha 6330II which reminds me of the Eterna. Probably a trifle more easy to play. A very good horn, Not that expensive.

Probably Louise´s Neo has a somewhat richer palette than my 6330II.
The Yamaha horns are very versatile, easy to play, well in tune.

But I regret that I sold my Eterna. A formidable horn, fantastic valves.

Ps When it comes to mouthpieces - Personally I cannot play on the classic Wicks; The Ultra series is a good compromise although I mostly play on a Schilke 143D3 - which has to be played "cornetty".
1970-2010 I played on a Vincent Bach 1 1/4 C. However it didn´t blend good enough with the others. At the time I must add. Today I do think that I could manage it better. "Development"!!

But the horns we are talking about are all very good horns - so the choice must be personal. If you want to buy a Getzen, do it!!!
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Cornets: mp 143D3/ DW Ultra 1,5 C
Getzen 300 series
Yamaha YCRD2330II
Yamaha YCR6330II
Getzen Eterna Eb
Trumpets:
Yamaha 6335 RC Schilke 14B
King Super 20 Symphony DB (1970)
Selmer Eb/D trumpet (1974)

[Dayton]

I've seen several mentions of the 3850 Custom model and the 800DLX Eterna Deluxe model. Here is how I would compare them to the 800 Eterna.

Compared to the 800 Eterna, the 3850 Custom has a sound that is warmer and broader, and a more open blow. The 3850 lacks a bit of the nimbleness and projection of the 800 Eterna. Worth noting that the 3850 also comes standard with triggers, which some players regard as a big plus.

The 800DLX fits somewhere in between the 800 Eterna and the 3850 Custom. The sound is a bit warmer than the 800, the projection is a bit better than the 3850, and it has the nimbleness of the 800. The blow is also a bit tighter than the 3850.

Again, just my impressions.

[MalinTrumpet]

Hi:
When I first traveled to London I was impressed by how many natives there played Getzen Eternas. Also, Phil Smith played one. I decided if Getzens were good enough for those guys they were good enough for me. At that time Eterna 800s were top of the line and cost $400.00 (!) I also own an Eterna C cornet which I used for orchestra playing. (Berlioz, Gilbert and Sullivan, Prokofiev)
LCM

[p76]

I've played a 3850 and a Capri in Brass bands. They are perfectly suitable, but I found both of them a little "bright" for hymns and more lyrical pieces....good for marches though.

All things being equal, I'd go for a Neo over any of the Getzens - they are a great Brass Band cornet, and very easy to play. Not sure what pricing is like in the States, but here in OZ they are great value for money too.

Enjoy the journey!

Cheers,
Roger
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Bb - Selmer Radial, Yamaha YTR634, Kanstul 1001, Kanstul 700.
C - Yamaha 641.
Cornet - Olds Ambassador A6T, Besson 723, Olds Ambassador Long.
Flugel - Kanstul 1525
Mpc. - ACB 3CS, ACB 3ES, Curry 3BBC, Kanstul FB Flugel

[spitvalve]

I haven't had a chance to try the Getzen 800DLX. I'll admit I want one just because it looks so cool!

My Getzen Capri cornet gets a fairly sweet sound. I use two different mouthpieces--a Warburton 4MD with an 8 backbore for stuff requiring agility and a 4D with a 10 backbore for a darker sound. I know it's an "intermediate" cornet but it doesn't play like one.

I haven't done any brass band playing so I don't know how it would fit in that situation but I think mouthpiece choice probably has more effect on the sound than anything else.
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Bryan Fields
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1991 Bach LR180 ML 37S
1999 Getzen Eterna 700S
1977 Getzen Eterna 895S Flugelhorn
1969 Getzen Capri cornet
1995 UMI Benge 4PSP piccolo trumpet
Warburton and Stomvi Flex mouthpieces

[Dayton]

[LaTrompeta]

I love the Getzen 800. Such a great value. Go with that, if you can find one.
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