Trumpet King

I went to france in january and in all the clubs there was this french dance song that had electronic dance music and then every so often would switch to a section with trumpets and latin style music... does anyone know what it's called? i really want it!

"destination calabria" maybe?

Is there a difference between Conn Director model and Conn Professional Trumpets?

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:04:38 +0000

I need to know if there is a difference between the two type of trumpets.

Yes! This is taken from a website called "The Conn Loyalist", which is a site dedicated specifically to providing the best, most up to date information about Conn trumpets.

Much more information can be accessed on the website, such as how to identify different models, etc.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~cderksen/ConnArticle45.html

Comparative quality of Conn instruments

From time to time I am asked which Conn models are considered "professional" models and which models aren't. In the following I shall attempt to answer this question.

1915-1949
This period saw many musicians who played at a professional level. As a result and as far I can tell, almost all Conn instruments produced under the "C.G.Conn" brand were professional level instruments. The differences between the models were mostly related to features with models tailored to orchestral playing, jazz, etc. Also some preferred large bores, others smaller bores. Some models might have possessed additional features making them slightly more expensive, but as far as I know there were no "student" models produced under the C.G.Conn brand. These student models were sold under the "Pan American" and "Cavalier" brand of instruments.

1949-1955: Transitional period
The period between 1949 and 1955 shows a transition between the "old" and the "new" way to doing things. Instruments with the same names (Connstellation, Connquest, Director), as in the following period (1955-1970) should be counted in that period with the exception of the "Victor" and "Artist" instruments. These "Victor" and "Artist" models as well as the other instruments belong to the previous period. Especially 1954 and 1955 are watershed years. The Pan American division disappeared (for all intents and purposes) and Conn started producing student and intermediate level instruments under the C.G.Conn brand. The few instruments still surviving from the previous period were restyled and where necessary renamed (80A, 22B).

1955-1970
This is probably the period most people are familiar with. Conn radically changed strategy in 1955 by focusing almost entirely on the school band program as opposed to the professional, orchestral player. Conn's naming convention during these years is very consistent:

Connstellation Always the top of the line and most expensive instruments. Although Connstellation models were used by several very well known people (Maynard Ferguson: 38B, Cat Anderson: 38B, Thad Jones: 28A) they didn't have the following enjoyed by Conn instruments in the 1920 and 1930's.

Victor/Artist The Victor and Artist names are used somewhat interchangeably, as is evidenced by the fact that from 1959 the 10B is a "Victor" while the virtually identical 10A is an "Artist" model. Either way, these are one (small) step below the Connstellation models. Seen by some as "cheap Connstellations", although I disagree with that. Between 1955 and 1957 the 6A/6B and 10A/10B Victor models were very different instruments from the 38B/28A Connstellation. While it is true that from 1958 the 6A/6B and 10A/10B were redesigned to resemble the 38B and 28A Connstellation, to say they were "cheap" versions of the Connstellation would be unfair towards the 6A/6B and 10A/10B. Interestingly, Victor/Artist model trombones enjoyed much greater popularity than the 48H Connstellation. Apparently trombone players realize there is more than just "Connstellation".

Connquest The intermediate level instrument. Contrary to modern intermediate level instruments which are often described as "student models with first slide saddles" (in the case of trumpets), the Connquest really was a step in between the Victor and the student model Director. I have played a 15B Director for over 20 years, and have owned a 6A Victor long cornet since 2002. In early 2003 I had the opportunity to try out a 1959 77B Connquest. Without a doubt it was better than the 15B Director, but not quite up to the level of the Victor.

Director The student model, cheapest Conn model. In 2000 I was in a music shop and tried out a brand new UMI-Conn 22B Director model (no relation to the venerable 22B New York Symphony/Victor). I don't want to offend anyone, but it couldn't hold a candle to the old 1960's 15B Director.

Trumpet Players: What do you think about Al Cass Fast Valve Oil for Trumpet, especially King Trumpets?

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:04:37 +0000

What do you think about Blue Juice for King trumpets?
Use occasionally or all the time??
(I heard Blue Juice is junk from someone on the internet. Is this true?)
What kind of valve oil do you think is best for King Legend trumpets? King Legend Fugelhorns and King Cornets?

Valve oil is not that different. I use the Woodwind/Brasswind brand, that they make for themselves. It is 60 cents a bottle,and lasts forever. the Al Cass stuff is good, as is the Blue Juice.
Valves are valves, and just because you have a king trumpet, doesnt' determine what kind of valve oil to use.

Just get the cheapest you can find, lube up, and enjoy. When they start to stick again, take them out, wipe them off with a paper towel, or rag....get all the gunk off, and lub again.

But also realize there is nothing worse to a trumpet player than sluggish valves. One of my pet peeves, but I would just get the generic brand of oil, and it works great.

I've been playing trumpet for 35 years, and now play on a Bach Stradivariois, with generic brand oil. Works great!!

Is the Besson 1000 trumpet any good.?

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:04:31 +0000

i want to buy a trumpet for my son. He's been playing for 9 years now and his old bach broke.

I say get The Besson 1000....go for it!

Good Luck!

What is a good intermediate- to pro trumpet for?

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:04:31 +0000

my daughter who is in 11th grade of high school. She has been playing for 5 yrs now, and needs a new trumpet. Her last trumpet is a bach tr300. Now what should she move up to? Is a besson 1000 or a benge 65B any good. I know the bach strads are good from what i hear but Im looking around. any opinons about what to buy or what to avoid? Thanks

mine is a bach stra, in sterling silver. REALLY nice.

i jus purchased a besson trumpet how do i clean and lube da valves?

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:04:30 +0000

Ya clean da valves jus like da rest of it..

I have a bach stradivarius trumpet, but the serial # doesn't match up with the bell. Can somebody help me?

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:04:28 +0000

The serial number is ML 0999, but this serial number dates to the late 20s, and the bell on the trumpet, a model 43, was made in Elkhart, IN., and Bach didn't move there until 1965. Clearly something's amiss, but I can't tell if the serial number is fake, or the bell was replaced at some point, etc. Can somebody tell me what else to look at to determine the true history of this instrument?

I think you have a very valuable instument there. It is not uncommon for musicians to change the trumpet head. Who knows the reason why it was damaged. I still think you have a vauable instrument. I suppose you have already done everything online that you can. That's what I would do. If not, take it to a collector. They are amazing at this things.

What is the difference in bach stradivarius trumpet bells?

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:04:28 +0000

37 vs 43 specifically.

Standard Bach Stradivarius bell models are 37, 43, and 72. The numbering system refers to the bell flare and rate of taper from the bell tail to the bell. The larger the taper, the more spread/diffused the sound will be.

The 37 bell (slower taper) provides a rich, focused sound, with good projection. It is the standard bell on the ML bore Strad. The 43 bell (faster taper than 37) yields a broader and brighter sound, more open blow than the 37. It is the standard bell on the XL bore Strad. The 72 bell (faster taper than the 43) has a strong, powerful sound that is darker than the Bach 37 bell. It is standard on the Bach Strad Vindabona model.

What would you do if you bid, on eBay, on a "Bach Trumpet Mouthpiece" and was sent a trombone mouthpiece?

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:04:27 +0000

I won the bid for a "Bach Trumpet Mouthpiece" and was sent a trombone mouthpiece that had a damaged stem...I contacted the seller who wants me to return the damaged merchantise for a refund and I think he should send me the right mouthpiece...I wouldn't mind sending back the mouthpiece if it were usuable but would he try to sell it to some onther buyer? He claims that he doesn't know the difference between a trumpet and a trombone mouthpiece and that I should have known it was a trombone mouthpiece from the picture and was sorry for the inconvienience..He doesn't address the fact that the stem was damaged...

Yes, send it back. But also, rate him as a bad seller and report him to eBay for selling damaged merchandise, but only after you do the refund. This might prevent others from buying from that seller. Good luck, and sorry!