New Jazz Boutique

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canofor
Posts: 3
Joined: Dec 30, 2022

by canofor »

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum and I'm interested in several new models: Yamaha 891Z, getzen 3508, edwards T302, Bac Paseo/custom and the lawler to play jazz. The drawback is that I live in Spain and I don't have the chance to try. Could anyone recommend me or have had experience with these models? At the moment I am not interested in vintage models. I know that it is a risky and complicated decision because each musician looks for some characteristics, but specifically I'm looking for a 0.508 bore model.
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BGuttman
Posts: 7368
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by BGuttman »

Hi and welcome!

Firstly, Roy Lawlor has announced his retirement and I believe is no longer taking orders

You might also consider Schmelzer (Model 1?) and the Rath R1. Both are made in Europe and should be easier to find in Spain than the American Getzen, BAC, and Edwards.
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Trevorspaulding376
Posts: 610
Joined: Dec 23, 2018

by Trevorspaulding376 »

I’ve played many of these

Big fan of the Getzen 3508/ t302s

Also really liked my BAC custom 6 I had, phenomenal sound and really fun to play.

Not so much a fan of the 891z but mine only had one of the pipes perhaps I would have liked it better with the other pipe , color of tone was more bland for me.

Have had a scmelzer 1, not as easy of a blow as the Edwards/Getzen/ bac, a little tighter blow but man I loved the sound I really did. Would get another in a heart beat.

Rath is great , lots of options here

But after trying a lot of boutique horns they are imo only nominally better than a great version of a classic horn like a classic NY Bach etc , I find the boutique horns do seem to have more of an ease of blow and play though
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Pezza
Posts: 221
Joined: Aug 24, 2021

by Pezza »

I love my Corp Bach 12
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harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed »

I know it's not on your list but it's hard to beat the 3B silversonic. Blows boutique stuff out of the water.

Otherwise, I'd suggest the BAC Elliott Mason custom with a few different flares. Between the pipes, flares, and counterweight, you will have the most malleable horn imaginable.
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hornbuilder
Posts: 1384
Joined: May 02, 2018

by hornbuilder »

M&W offer a complete range of options!

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Finetales
Posts: 1482
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by Finetales »

Courtois 402 Xtreme is another new option in .508", plays like a great 3B. Speaking of 3Bs, I've played a really great new 3B as well, but between the two I would trust Courtois more sight unseen as far as quality control goes. I'd take either over an 891Z.

There is also the XO 1634RLT, but I don't have any experience with that (nor any other models listed in the OP).
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brtnats
Posts: 341
Joined: Apr 26, 2018

by brtnats »

I bought a new 891Z sight-unseen because it *wasn’t* boutique, and I felt like it would be a known entity. I love it, but I went through some mouthpiece and leadpipe iterations to get it to that point.

Personally, I would be extremely hesitant to buy ANY boutique horn without getting to physically play it first. There’s just too much temptation to mess with options without the ability to actually DO that.

Might be a long shot, but any chance you can get to Sanganxa Music Store in Valencia? Looks like they’re what you’re looking for.
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Matt_K
Posts: 4809
Joined: Mar 21, 2018

by Matt_K »

You could do that with any horn though. There are a probably more than a dozen bell be slide combinations with your Yamaha
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HermanGerman
Posts: 127
Joined: Oct 29, 2021

by HermanGerman »

A strange selection... they play like trombones play, a matter of taste I guess
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johntarr
Posts: 368
Joined: May 07, 2018

by johntarr »

I wouldn’t buy a boutique horn without some guidance and the ability to try the various combinations. This, from personal experience, just sayn’.

Good luck,

John
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Kevbach33
Posts: 295
Joined: May 29, 2018

by Kevbach33 »

What chair(s) are you looking at playing? Or are you doing combo work? That might also influence your choice.

If you decide upon either the Yamaha or the Getzen custom, you'll know fairly quickly which leadpipe will give you the best results.

I singled these out because you are less likely to play around with the other components with them being fixed construction otherwise. You're also less likely to get a dud; although not boutique, both brands are very consistent in quality.

Maybe I'm a bit biased (I did recently buy an Eterna bass which also has interchangeable leadpipes) but I'd go for the Getzen of the lot you've given us. If you're playing in a big band and especially lead, I'd get the yellow bell (3508Y) over the red.
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canofor
Posts: 3
Joined: Dec 30, 2022

by canofor »

Thank you all for the answers. I give you information about me. I play in a 1st/2nd big band and in a large ensemble ('mini' big band) with eleven musicians like Marty Paich. Of the options I would have the possibility of being able to test the AC402 and the 891-Z. The 3508 would be complicated but it also has a dealer in Spain. Has anyone had the chance to test the 891-ZD? It has a removable bell, although I don't know if it provides a respective improvement over the 891-Z.
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Joebone
Posts: 74
Joined: Aug 02, 2018

by Joebone »

Being in Europe, have you considered the .488/.500/.512 "Bart Van Lier" trombones from Kuhnl & Hoyer? Thomman is a dealer, and they appear to have a 30-day return policy. I have some experience with the .512, and am really impressed.
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HermanGerman
Posts: 127
Joined: Oct 29, 2021

by HermanGerman »

Yes, the Bart van Liers...great option
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HermanGerman
Posts: 127
Joined: Oct 29, 2021

by HermanGerman »

Yes, the Bart van Liers...great option, also the XO 1634