Non-conventional trumpets

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Comment by John Baumchen 15 hours ago

I have theory on why I and Monette like two piece bells more then one piece. Monette only says that he thinks it is easier to control the end sound characteristics and stops their. Well based on Harrelsons SWE idea's I long ago said that a two piece bell is the way to go. First you can use dissimilar alloys so if you want a nickel stem and copper bell flair you can do it on a two piece. Second you can make the stem as thick as you want and have the bell flair as thin as you like. So if you believe as I do that the first 1.3 of the stem coming out of the valve assembly should be about 2-3 times thicker then the rest of the stem. I also think the bell flair should be thin and should be made out of an alloy that is high in copper for most bell flairs.

So with the above you could easily if you wanted to make the stem out of .035 heavy cartridge brass and easily taper the front 2/3's on a lathe even before you had mounted the bell flair. Then chose the weight you wanted from .014-.022 copper,red brass or bronze for the bell flair.

I have been after Zig to make me an Olds bell like that for some time and while he normally returns my emails that one request seems to go ignored? I think above is why Monette likes two piece bells. I am sure I am not the first to figure the above out.

Like wise valve case's need not be light weight or heavy weight they just need the weight in the right place. I get tired of everyone in the industry taking things to extreme light or heavy etc.....I predicted the Schilke HD months before it was released and people laughed at my idea's. It turned out Schilke did everything I predicted they would do. I do not think we need a 10lbs. trumpet to capitalize on mass! I am very much influenced by my aviation and automotive back ground and think that using the leasts amount of mass one can to accomplish the goal I and should be the aim of all. With modern CNC machinery or even NC and a laptop you can do so much more.

Do not get me wrong I am not anti-hand hammered one piece or even anti-seamless bells! I think they all have their place and it comes down to making it work for you. I am sure a high quality seamless bell can be made to behave and sound like a hand hammered one with the right annealing mostly to the bell flair to soften the material.They all have their place.

What often gets me wondering is why the average trumpet has not changed any in years! It would be easy for the big guys to make all the tubing with a thicker wall thickness, add some mass tot he valve area etc.......but we have not seen it much in the production world. Sure their is TT,Evolution, a few Kanstuls and the Getzen Genesis but after that you have to step off in to the world of the small trumpet manufactures! Just strikes me as odd that the big boys have not seen this market niche and gone for it!

Comment by ROMAN on March 31, 2009 at 8:34pm

Comment by ROMAN on March 31, 2009 at 8:31pm

I have grown fond of mine LAWLER and its heavenly timbre

Comment by prtrumpet on March 13, 2009 at 11:21am

Is the Harrelson Bravura a non conventional trumpet?

A few weeks ago Jason Harrelson personally delivered my new bravura. Obviously, the bravura qualifies as a non conventional trumpet. Heavier than regular trumpets, I consider it amazingly responsive. The sound has a lot of core, very big sound. Easy to play with a very smooth valve action. I have a leadpipe #2 with a #3 bell, for a big fat sound, not completely dark, just a touch of shine to the tone color to keep in mind it is still a trumpet. Love it for solo.

While holding it, it feels different, unique. And the efficiency that Jason describes in his web page can be appreciated as soon as you push a fff high C . Such an efficiency can not be appreciated in any conventional trumpet.

Comment by Russell Hodge on December 7, 2008 at 6:30pm

Love the look of custom horns, but would love to get this question answered: Why the weighted bottom caps? Go ahead and throw the physics at me, I understand most of it. Also, the heavier horns are supposed to sound better, but again, why?
Great to see this discussion and it's always a treat to see what others are playing.
RH

Comment by Greg Zent on October 28, 2008 at 5:24pm

Hey guys:

I picked up my Harrelson Bravura model on October 10 and am very pleased with it so far. Jason has no desire to build the same horn as everyone else, in fact, he has no desire to build the same models for more than a year or two.

I think that's why his horns just keep getting better.

If anyone is in the market for a no excuses first class custom horn they should consider Harrelson's horns.

I know he's been backed up on his orders, but I think now that he has 2 apprentices trained and working full time and he will soon be caught up.

I'm glad I waited for the Bravura,

Greg

PS - After I get the plating done I'll get some pictures up.

Comment by Teddy kyle on October 12, 2008 at 10:40pm

This is my STAGE 1 XHB.

Designed by FELIX VAYSER and JASON HARRELSON.

The only XHB with sterling silver lead pipe in the WORLD!

Comment by Teddy kyle on October 12, 2008 at 10:34pm

Comment by John Dover on October 6, 2008 at 2:05pm

Trumpets carry personality just like their owners. I say play what makes you feel like you and don't let anyone tell you any different. At the end of the day it is just you and your horn after all.

Comment by Paul Merkl on October 1, 2008 at 2:59pm

I have had several horns - all but one were Kings. My oldest is a 1932 King Liberty - waiting for repair ( needs 3rd slide). My main horn is a 1963 King, Raw Brass with heavy weight bottom caps and its been modified by Harrelson. It has the ergonomic finger rings, reverse lead pipe and custom spit valve. It is a heay weight now. Its so cool - the old and the new. When you really push air through it the whole trumpet vibrates. Its a medium bore. Would like to know if any others still use the old King horns.

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