In Bach Heaven

jhatpro · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 1:52 pm Post subject:

Even though I've played trumpet for a long time, I'd never owned a Bach - until now!

After trying a number of them in stores, I decided to risk an eBay horn and, boy, did I land a beaut!

It's a gold-plated Strad 37, built in Elkhart around 1975, with a modified thumb saddle and an Amado key on the 3rd valve slide.

The description was one of the most complete I've come across on eBay, and the seller -- Alan Bergeron of Jackson, WY -- shipped the horn in two days!

The horn plays beautifully, with excellent intonation, great projection, and superb sound throughout in all registers.

He has horns on the Web from time to time and I sure give him my highest recommendation:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3701240999&category=41400&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWN%3AIT&rd=1

Now I know what Bachophiles mean when they say they love their Strad!
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

bgwbold · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 4:21 pm Post subject:

jhatpro, you are officially hopeless, now that you find that you like both Bach and Olds. Good luck with your new toy!

Mike

blasticore · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 5:10 pm Post subject:

She looks great. Play her well and be sure to tell us about it.
_________________
Chris King
http://www.cktrumpet.com
http://www.ckbrassworks.com

jophst · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 5:15 pm Post subject:

I have done lots of business with Alan in the past. He is extremely honest and very professional all the way. He is one that you should never worry about purchasing anything from. I have also sent several items for him to gold plate for me.

Two Thumbs Up!!
_________________
Bb - Yamaha Xeno 8335RGS
Picc - Yamaha 9830 w/PVA
Flugel - Yamaha Shew 6310Z
Laskey's 68MD,68C,PIC,68F,68DB

jhatpro · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 5:22 pm Post subject:

I know, I'm hopeless when it comes to horns. I'm like a car guy who can't decide between BMW or Mercedes, so I drive them both on alternate Sundays. Life is short. Play while you can.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

ARB · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 6:02 pm Post subject:

Hey man, he also sells GI Joe's; who remembers good old GI Joe's as a kid? Those were the days when you had to bring your own imagination to game entertainment.

And Jim, good luck with your new baby, she's a beauty; I'd like to eventually try one of those myself to see what the Bach love fest is all about.
_________________
Allen - 'Chops-in-Hotlanta'

00 Schilke S22
77 LA Benge 5X
63 Burbank Benge C

"It's what we think we know that keeps us from knowing"

DavesTrumpet · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 6:27 pm Post subject:

Hey, GREAT looking horn! Happy for you!

Dave M

Trptbenge · Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2004 4:38 am Post subject:

Too many horns and not enough money! Beautiful Horn!

Mike

tromba mann · Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2004 4:55 pm Post subject:

jhatpro - welcome to the family!

OCTA-C · Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2004 5:23 pm Post subject:

Aaaaahh!...The mystique of a wonderful Bach. Ya' gotta hate em',...ya' gotta luv em'!!

tryingtocomeback · Veteran Member Joined: 31 Dec 2001 Posts: 177

Georgous horn, Jim. I hope it sounds as good as it looks. Any chance the rest of us can A/B it with your new Kanstul at the upcoming trumpetfest?

Keep on swinging,
Matt

trumplyr · Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2004 5:37 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the club.

Marty
_________________
Marty

"Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth.
Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is the best."
Frank Zappa

_Handballsteve · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 2:47 pm Post subject:

Jim,
Looks like a great horn. Congratulations. I kind of followed your lead. I am joining the club too as I bought the 1969 gold plated Strad from Alan Bergeron. I should get it Friday. I can't wait. It has been a pleasure to deal with Alan. Funny thing - my wife in her initial anger upon finding out about my new purchase called it a Block Stradivarius. She doesn't know any better.
Steve in Elgin
_________________
2008 Calicchio DT3
1973 Getzen Severinsen
1985 Yamaha 635ST Flugelhorn
1962 Getzen Eterna Cornet LB
1973 Schilke 3 valve Pic.

camel lips · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Jan 2004 Posts: 687

I have a Bach 37 1960's vintage.Its a wonderful horn.

I have been playing a Kanstul 102 and working in the new valves has been a pain and when I picked up the ole Bach I forgotten how great the valves are.

I have been reading alot on this forum about valve alignment and was considering sending it off and having it done but every time I do I stop and think twice about it.Sometimes it doesn't pay to mess with success.

Now from what I hear about new Bach's I wouldn't give you a nickle for one.

bgwbold · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 6:53 pm Post subject:

I tried some brand new ones recently and they were very nice playing horns. I did not get a chance to try them all, just a 43* and a 37* but they played great and seemed as well made as anything in the room.

Mike

_dcstep · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:31 pm Post subject:

Hey Mike, Brook Mays has a 38MH (not sure, but I think that means medium-bore, heavy 38 bell) coming in soon. Let's have a little mini-fest to compare it to some 37s, 43s and other competition. I'm curious about it.

Dave
_________________
Schilke '60 B1 -- 229 Bach-C/19-350 Blackburn -- Lawler TL Cornet -- Conn V1 Flugel -- Stomvi Master Bb/A/G picc -- GR mpcs
[url=http://www.pitpops.com] The PitPops[/url]
Rocky Mountain Trumpet Fest

Vin DiBona · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 5:52 am Post subject:

A good Bach is such a joy to play, aren't they? They sing in a way only a handful of others can.
By the way, did you know why the CSO went to a matched set of large bore Bach Cs all those years ago? Fritz Reiner loved the sound of a Bach large bore C trumpet and had a patron donate the money for them. (I wonder what they cost then and what they would be worth now). He heard that "something" in them and his hearing was legendary.
Good luck with those new horns, fellas.

Mlockman · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:33 am Post subject:

I have purchased three Bach Strads in the past 18 months. Two B-flats and one C. These were all sight unseen from a mail order discount house. They are all great horns. Well built no flaws and of course outstanding playing qualities. Just remember it is not the wand but the magician.
_________________
Bach Strad 37/25
Bach Strad LT 43 /25
Bach Strad C 229 25H CL,
Couesnon Flugelhorn 1970
Warburton WCC mouthpiece
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
AFM

bgwbold · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 7:06 am Post subject:

I don't have anything new, and over the last couple of years I have drifted into relying on a rough, inexpensive early 80s 37 that the seller said she found in a barn. I also traded for a rough looking 72* which I like which is on the way to being refinished. If someone had told me I would be playing these horns years ago, I probably would not have believed them. They are not magic, they just get the job done. The new ones I tried were very nice and if I ever wear these out, I would not worry about looking at new ones.

Dave, there is a guy in my church orch who brought in a horn to rehearsal that he almost never plays. Believe it or not, I think it is a 43H. Maybe he'll let me borrow it for the next DFW trumpetfest.

Mike

_PhilPicc · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 7:25 am Post subject:

Jim,

Enjoy your new horn. I have a 1972 37Strad that I bought new and it has served me very well all these years.

Once again enjoy,
Phil
_________________
Philip Satterthwaite

We cannot expect you to be with us all the time, but perhaps you could be good enough to keep in touch now and again."
- Sir Thomas Beecham to a musician during a rehearsal