Anyone tried one of these?
- mbarbier
- Posts: 367
- Joined: May 17, 2018
Has anyone tried one of these specifically? Not interested in the Chinese instrument discussion cause I know it's...spotty, but looking for an affordable 4 rotor C bass trumpet so totally open if anyone knows other options. This seller has a decent return policy, but wanted to see if anyone has tried this type specifically before. Thank you !
- muschem
- Posts: 372
- Joined: Jan 17, 2021
I ran across those recently as I was searching for options in bass trumpets and flugabones. I don’t have any experience, but I’ll be interested to see responses here. I have a Lake City 415 flugabone on the way, but I might also pick up a rotory valve bass trumpet at some point.
- Kdanielsen
- Posts: 609
- Joined: Jul 28, 2019
I have the C version (your link is to the Bb). I bought it with a dent on ebay for $400.
It plays as well as my friends Joseph Lydl Bb piston valve horn. In fact, we played both our horns on a recording with Albany Symphony of Rouse’s trumpet concerto, which calls for two bass trumpets at the end (hasn’t been released yet). They sounded pretty similar. We also traded horns and I though they felt about the same to play. Stuffy, with poor intonation in the upper range!
I like that it has a fourth valve. I added a pitch finder trigger to the main tuning slide, which helps. The valves work well but came with garbage rubber bumpers and was very out of alignment. Came with a nice case\bag!
I wish it had a tighter bell taper. I wish it had a bigger bore and the tone centered better/faster. It’s not a Thein or Alex, but for the money it’s certainly pretty good.
I was using an XT A cup with 2 shank but lately I’ve found a little deeper is better. Now I’m on an XT C cup with alto shank and a Kanstul mouthpiece weight tone booster thing. I think the weight helps it center a bit.
Hope that helps!
It plays as well as my friends Joseph Lydl Bb piston valve horn. In fact, we played both our horns on a recording with Albany Symphony of Rouse’s trumpet concerto, which calls for two bass trumpets at the end (hasn’t been released yet). They sounded pretty similar. We also traded horns and I though they felt about the same to play. Stuffy, with poor intonation in the upper range!
I like that it has a fourth valve. I added a pitch finder trigger to the main tuning slide, which helps. The valves work well but came with garbage rubber bumpers and was very out of alignment. Came with a nice case\bag!
I wish it had a tighter bell taper. I wish it had a bigger bore and the tone centered better/faster. It’s not a Thein or Alex, but for the money it’s certainly pretty good.
I was using an XT A cup with 2 shank but lately I’ve found a little deeper is better. Now I’m on an XT C cup with alto shank and a Kanstul mouthpiece weight tone booster thing. I think the weight helps it center a bit.
Hope that helps!
- rabiddolphin
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Dec 07, 2021
Jim Laabs is semi-local to me, there have been plenty of horror stories, I wouldn't rely on there stated policies.
- MStarke
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Jan 01, 2019
I own the one that you see on this website:
https://www.musicschmid.de/onlineshop/tenorh%C3%B6rner/ "BASSTROMPETE - "SCHMID" - 4 DREHVENTILE - VIBRATIONSENTDÄMPFT"
It looks like basically the same instrument (coming from China), but they do some finish, final assembly and some "vibration magic" on it in the shop in Germany. They were not really willing to detail what exactly they are doing.
Build quality is okay. Response and sound are fine. Intonation is as good or bad as with all valved instruments ;-)
I really wanted one with four valves for intonation reasons and this seems to be the only available and affordable solution.
It is larger in the throat than the ideal Wagner instrument, but with a fitting mouthpiece can still sound like a bass trumpet, not like a flugelhorn.
I THINK that it can easily be switched to C as there is an extra loop in the tuning slide that can be taken out. But I have not tried it and don't know about intonation, sound, response etc. in C.
https://www.musicschmid.de/onlineshop/tenorh%C3%B6rner/ "BASSTROMPETE - "SCHMID" - 4 DREHVENTILE - VIBRATIONSENTDÄMPFT"
It looks like basically the same instrument (coming from China), but they do some finish, final assembly and some "vibration magic" on it in the shop in Germany. They were not really willing to detail what exactly they are doing.
Build quality is okay. Response and sound are fine. Intonation is as good or bad as with all valved instruments ;-)
I really wanted one with four valves for intonation reasons and this seems to be the only available and affordable solution.
It is larger in the throat than the ideal Wagner instrument, but with a fitting mouthpiece can still sound like a bass trumpet, not like a flugelhorn.
I THINK that it can easily be switched to C as there is an extra loop in the tuning slide that can be taken out. But I have not tried it and don't know about intonation, sound, response etc. in C.
- mbarbier
- Posts: 367
- Joined: May 17, 2018
Thank y'all so much for the feedback - I really appreciate it! Especially good to know about that specific seller and the option from Schmid.
Thank y'all!
Thank y'all!
- goffstock
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Feb 22, 2023
[quote="muschem"]I ran across those recently as I was searching for options in bass trumpets and flugabones. I don’t have any experience, but I’ll be interested to see responses here. I have a Lake City 415 flugabone on the way, but I might also pick up a rotory valve bass trumpet at some point.[/quote]
How do you like your Lake City Flugabone? I'm considering one because it seems like King 1130s are pretty hard to come by, but I can't find any sort of independent reviews online? If you wouldn't mind sharing your thoughts on how it plays I'd appreciate it.
How do you like your Lake City Flugabone? I'm considering one because it seems like King 1130s are pretty hard to come by, but I can't find any sort of independent reviews online? If you wouldn't mind sharing your thoughts on how it plays I'd appreciate it.
- muschem
- Posts: 372
- Joined: Jan 17, 2021
[quote="goffstock"]<QUOTE author="muschem" post_id="198717" time="1673382490" user_id="11185">
I ran across those recently as I was searching for options in bass trumpets and flugabones. I don’t have any experience, but I’ll be interested to see responses here. I have a Lake City 415 flugabone on the way, but I might also pick up a rotory valve bass trumpet at some point.[/quote]
How do you like your Lake City Flugabone? I'm considering one because it seems like King 1130s are pretty hard to come by, but I can't find any sort of independent reviews online? If you wouldn't mind sharing your thoughts on how it plays I'd appreciate it.
</QUOTE>
I'm expecting it sometime in March. I got to chatting with Keith Hilson at Schmitt Music when I placed the order. I floated the idea of having the bell cut to make it even more compact for travel, and Keith set me up with one of their local techs to do the work. They'll start with one of the raw brass flugabones, disassemble it to cut the bell, and attach an Instrument Innovations ring set. Before reassembling, they'll apply a brush/scratch finish on the outside, leaving the inner bell polished, and then finish with a coat of lacquer. Keith may post some pics or a video review once it is all done. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product and playing it. I'll be happy to post thoughts here once I have it. I plan to find an appropriately sized Pelican case (or something along those lines) to fit it for travel.
I ran across those recently as I was searching for options in bass trumpets and flugabones. I don’t have any experience, but I’ll be interested to see responses here. I have a Lake City 415 flugabone on the way, but I might also pick up a rotory valve bass trumpet at some point.[/quote]
How do you like your Lake City Flugabone? I'm considering one because it seems like King 1130s are pretty hard to come by, but I can't find any sort of independent reviews online? If you wouldn't mind sharing your thoughts on how it plays I'd appreciate it.
</QUOTE>
I'm expecting it sometime in March. I got to chatting with Keith Hilson at Schmitt Music when I placed the order. I floated the idea of having the bell cut to make it even more compact for travel, and Keith set me up with one of their local techs to do the work. They'll start with one of the raw brass flugabones, disassemble it to cut the bell, and attach an Instrument Innovations ring set. Before reassembling, they'll apply a brush/scratch finish on the outside, leaving the inner bell polished, and then finish with a coat of lacquer. Keith may post some pics or a video review once it is all done. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product and playing it. I'll be happy to post thoughts here once I have it. I plan to find an appropriately sized Pelican case (or something along those lines) to fit it for travel.