Edwards x-13

[SufiTrumpet]

Hi so i got recently the edwards trumpet and i love it! I bought second hand and dont have the harmonic pillar. Can anyone who tried them describe how they affect the horn?

[improver]

Dont feel like you are missing anything with the pillars. They inhibit the openness and playability of the horn imho.

[Ronnman]

SufiTrumpet - First, welcome to the Trumpet Herald. See the link below and enter “Harmonic AND Pillar” and the select the horns forum. You will find other opinion’s related to the different pillars.
Ron


https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/search.php?mode=results
_________________
Martin Committee #2 1954
Leblanc “Al Hirt” Model 1966
Olds Custom Crafted Ultra Sonic 1974
Edwards Gen II 2014

[yourbrass]

My experience with the copper pillar has been that tongueing and articulation seemed a bit more secure. But the other day I was practicing and noticed that staff Ab was noticeably more muffled sounding than staff G right next to it.
I removed the pillar and everything responded more evenly.
_________________
"Strive for tone." -John Coppola
Edwards X-13
ACB MV3C /ACB A1/26 backbore
https://yourbrass.com/

[Dayton]

You can purchase the harmonic pillar directly from Edwards for $25. Here is the link:

https://store.edwards-instruments.com/product/harmonic-brace-pillar-sets

Make sure you select the "Unipillar Kit" option.

I found that the pillar impacted slotting -- the presence of the pillar generally making slotting more secure -- and resonance -- the pillar seeming to make the horn sound fuller. But, not surprisingly, it also impacted intonation, making it less predictable (for me). I decided that I preferred the horn without the pillar, but I suspect that if I had kept the pillar in place for a while I would have gotten used to the intonation quirks and been able to adjust for them.

[ericmpena]

I've owned the X-13 and found that the harmonic pillars cut down the high end frequencies of the horn.

Non-scientifically speaking, the nickel pillar reduces maybe 20% of the high end frequencies, while the copper pillar reduces maybe 70%.
Using no sound pillar on the horn makes the horn feel a bit more vibrant to your ears.

I've had similar results by adding heavy bottom caps on other horns.

For instance, if you added a heavy bottom cap to just the 3rd valve of a trumpet, you might have similar effects of the X-13 with the nickel pillar.
If you added heavy bottom caps to all 3 valves, then you might have a similar effect as the X-13 with the copper pillar.

That has been my personal experience with the sound pillars. It's something that you have to experience and experiment with in person. It's not something that I was able to capture for a video demonstration.
_________________
Thane Performing Artist
www.youtube.com/ericmpena
https://thanetrumpets.com/

[SufiTrumpet]

Thank you all for the replies, thats very helpful.

[Rwwilson]

ericmpena says "Non-scientifically speaking, the nickel pillar reduces maybe 20% of the high end frequencies, while the copper pillar reduces maybe 70%"

Could you elaborate a bit. A 70% reduction in the high frequencies would seem to be very noticeable and make the trumpet sound like a dark flugelhorn.

[ericmpena]

[yourbrass]

"No pillar = Lots of zing in your ear.
Nickel pillar = Less zing in your ear.
Copper pillar = No zing in your ear."

I found that the copper pillar narrowed the sound, but increased secure articulation, for want of a better term. There is still is plenty of zing, although Eric is right that no pillar produces a bigger sound.

The nickel pillar just didn't do much positive for my taste.
_________________
"Strive for tone." -John Coppola
Edwards X-13
ACB MV3C /ACB A1/26 backbore
https://yourbrass.com/

[Jaw04]

The pillars make an immediately notable difference in the tonal spectrum and feel for the player. Even changes the intonation/slotting. As for the listener, I'm not sure if the tone changes as dramatically across a room. I prefer the tone and open-ness without the pillar, but found security up around F around high C was improved with the nickel pillar. The direction you screw the pillar is another varying factor...