Eterna vs. Severinsen

[Silver Knight]

Can anyone highlight the differences between a Getzen Eterna ('64 - '67 vintage) vs. the Doc Severinsen Eterna? Two obvious differences are that the Eterna has a first valve trigger, while the Severinsen has no intonation adjustment on first; and the Eterna has a fixed ring on the third valve slide, vs. adjustable on the Severinsen. But, what about differences in bore, tone, playability, construction, etc.? Has anyone compared the two by playing both? Looking to upgrade from my Capri, so any observations in differences vs. the Capri would be welcome also.
_________________
King Flair
Getzen Eterna 900S
Getzen Capri

[kehaulani]

I don't know about just plain Eternas from the 60s but might be able to add some info into what's really behind your question.

I played a Severinsen professionally in the 60s, as did a section mate who had played lead for Kenton and Herman in those days. I also had a friend who played a Capri trumpet all his life as an amateur first trumpet player and never felt the need for anything else. Additionally, I have a Capri cornet (if that counts). Furthermore, I have owned a current Getzen Eterna Classic, which is very close to the original Severinsens.

First off, I think the Capris "punch higher than their pay grade". So, there's that.

The Severinsen compared to the Capri - I think the Severinsen has a slightly more substantial tone. As far as I can tell, that's about it. The Severinsen is definitely a first-class professional horn and the Capri not but, frankly, a lot of the difference depends on what level a player you are. The Eternas line is probably put together with more care than the Capris but, again, not by much.

You can get the original Severinsen for a very reasonable price - about $1,200.00. FYI, the modern Getzen Eterna Classic is very close to the original and is new, about $3,000.00. I've had both and I don't think it makes much of a diffeerence.

I know this doesn't address the (only) Eternas but, knowing the Capri perhaps it can get you started.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[Silver Knight]

Thanks Kehaulani, this helps. I think your comments about the Capri in prior threads led me to consider the Capri.
_________________
King Flair
Getzen Eterna 900S
Getzen Capri

[Getzen]

You are really looking for an answer to a moving target of a question. The very first 900 Eterna trumpets and the first 900 Eterna Severinsen trumpets were the same. As far as I know, Doc was involved from day 1 of the Eterna line.

However, over the years, the Eterna Severinsen was tweaked and changed to better meet what Doc and the market wanted. Example: The adjustable third slide ring. The story I have always been told is that the ring was changed from fixed to adjustable at Doc's suggestion. The thought being having an adjustable ring would fit the hands of more players, therefor expanding the number of potential customers for the trumpet.

Honestly, it is incredibly difficult to compare anything to the Eterna Severisen without narrowing it down a little bit. To make matters worse, the company wasn't really good at keeping track of what was changed or when it happened. And they definitely didn't advertise it. We found that out when we were developing the 900 Eterna Classic. The idea was to return it to the original Severinsen design. We ended up having to pick and choose from several on hand examples and coming up with an amalgamation design from various models over the history of the horn.
_________________
Brett Getzen
President
Getzen Company

Follow Getzen on:
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If you have a question please feel free to email me at brett@getzen.com.

[Manuel de los Campos]

[Silver Knight]

Brett and Manuel, thanks for your replies, and please let me clarify. I'm considering an Eterna from the '64 - '67 era. This particular horn had a fixed third slide ring and a first valve trigger. Also considering a Severinsen from '68 - '71 era. That particular horn has the adjustable third slide ring and no first valve intonation aid.

From Brett's reply, I assume the earlier Eterna had Doc's influence, even though it was not specifically marked as such. It sounds like both could be somewhat represented in the current 900 classic.

Manuel, thanks for your playing observations. I guess I need to guard against building a huge collection.
_________________
King Flair
Getzen Eterna 900S
Getzen Capri

[huntman10]

Regarding the 1st slide intonation aids. I got a new Severinsen Eterna in 72, which had been on the shelf for about a year, and it had a 1st slide trigger. I also have some old catalogues that indicated that 1st slide triggers and saddles were options.

I do know that as a point of interest, the stock Amado water keys had a longer "nipple" than the mid 70's and later batch.

Also, the older 0.468" bore "L B" is separated as the L is on the left of the diamond brace foot on the 2nd cylinder and the B is on the right, in my experience having owned a number of Severinsen Eternas (and a number of other Getzen horns) in the last 50 years! I happen to have that LB resting on my foot at the moment, lubing it for tonight's rehearsal.
_________________
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.

[Silver Knight]

Huntman10, thanks for the tips on determining bore. As far as I can tell from photos, neither is a large bore, but I'll check the diamond brace tomorrow. I figured the intonation aids might be options.
_________________
King Flair
Getzen Eterna 900S
Getzen Capri

[kehaulani]

Silver - what do you want the horn for?
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[Silver Knight]

Kehaulani, strictly amateur enjoyment. Right now I'm just playing with my wife (on piano): pop, classical, jazz standards. No immediate plans for joining a community group, but that may happen later. My King Flair needs to go the shop, and I want a horn to play while it's away.
_________________
King Flair
Getzen Eterna 900S
Getzen Capri

[kehaulani]

[ljnev]

Getzen Severinsens are very affordable right now, and a great pro horn. I play a late 60's Getzen Severinsen as my main horn, and a Getzen 3001 for more legit jobs as it is somewhat Bach-like. Good luck on your purchase, the market is awash with high quality trumpets.

[rhatheway]

[chase1973]

The main differences were starting around 1969 or 1970, Ray Amado styled water keys were added to the production line. Doc himself, starting in the early '70's, began having Bach 37 bells soldered onto his Getzen horns. ssssshhhh. That's a secret-good thing nobody will read this and know the truth. sssshhhh.

2 other Getzen oddities.

1) Remember those ads in Downbeat advertising you could win $10K if you spot Doc playing any other horn other than a Getzen Eterna 900s? Am I the ONLY person that noticed there's no expiration date on that bet??? Does that mean I can get my $10K from Downbeat since Doc has played other brands?? LOL

2) A buddy of mine (RIP) attended a clinic given by Doc in Pa in the early '70's and during the clinic, a student asked Doc what brand of horn they should seek out. Doc, ofc endorsing Getzen, said "Oh, buy a Getzen Eterna 900s." After the clinic, Doc was leaving and yelled back to the kid "Bach! Bach! Get a Bach!!!"

I had a Getzen Eterna and they played pretty good but I swear they were put together with spit and chewing gum. It was the only horn I literally wore a hole in the 1st valve casing.

Bud Brisbois played a 900sL-the large bore design for several years before getting the deal with Holton in 1972

Johnny Audino played a 1968 900sL that Doc hand picked for him (must be nice huh?) Johnny later had a Reeves alignment added and had it gold-plated-that's horn he played in the '70's & '80's until he passed

Bill Chase played an early 900s (that's the horn he's playing on the Woody's Winners LP) before settling on the B6 Schilke

[Silver Knight]

Thanks everyone for your input. The Eterna I considered was from '64-'67, with a serial number very close to the end of the range, which makes me believe it was from 1967. Amado water keys, no second tuning slide, first valve trigger, third valve fixed ring.

The Severinsen I considered was from '68 - '71, also with a serial number close to the end of the range, which leads me to believe it was from 1971. It has Amado keys, no first valve intonation aid, and an adjustable ring on the third valve slide. The ad did not mention a second tuning slide; perhaps it was lost to the ages, along with the original case. (It's still available for $850 on the east coast of Florida.)

I bought the older Eterna (not marked as a Severinsen model). Both horns were far away from me, so I didn't play both. Thanks Manuel for your playing observations. The plating on the older horn is in better shape than the Severinsen. The horn I bought was listed at $200 less than the Severinsen, and I got it for $600. It's in pristine condition; no scratches, dings, and the felt under the piston caps looked brand new (not compressed at all). The seller said it was his BIL's second horn, and wasn't played much. (His first horn was an Olds which looked like it lived a hard life; perhaps that was the marching horn.) The original case is in almost-new condition, and I got a couple mouthpieces which are unique additions to my collection. After cleaning off the tarnish, it looks great. Overall, I'm really happy with my purchase.

To Kehaulani's point: did I need a premium horn as a back-up? No, but I wanted one. My King lives in California and I play it when I visit my kids. My Capri was my Florida horn, but it may go to California as the backup while the Flair is repaired.
_________________
King Flair
Getzen Eterna 900S
Getzen Capri

[kehaulani]

[chase1973]

PostPosted: Sat Apr 13, 2024 8:00 am Post subject:
chase1973 wrote:
I had a Getzen Eterna and they played pretty good but I swear they were put together with spit and chewing gum.

If this includes the Severinsens, I don't get it. I played mine in North Texas Lab Bands, then as a widely-touring Air Force musician, and also played in a soul band. Later in various settings and I never had one iota of a problem from my Getzen. This is over about a twenty-year span.

I bet you had an earlier one-they were made better INMHO