Martin TR4501 Urbie Green - upper range
- Oslide
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Apr 03, 2018
There's a lot of praise for this model, often with regard to the upper register. That's what one might expect from an instrument tailored to Urbie Green's requirements.
I really love the sound of my TR4501 (serial 709xxx). What puzzles me though is how it tightens up beyond the upper Bb. That range feels easier to me on my 3B or Bach 12. I had the same impression years back with an older example (serial 542xxx).
What is your experience with "Urbies"?
I really love the sound of my TR4501 (serial 709xxx). What puzzles me though is how it tightens up beyond the upper Bb. That range feels easier to me on my 3B or Bach 12. I had the same impression years back with an older example (serial 542xxx).
What is your experience with "Urbies"?
- Doug_Elliott
- Posts: 4155
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
I never understood why many people loved Urbie horns while I felt the same way you just described. And many small bore Bach horns felt the same way to me. That was decades ago, before i got into making mouthpieces. But now I know that the balance of resistance can be changed in the backbore, and that's why I make all the different shanks for each bore size. I haven't tried any Urbies in many years but I suspect my opinion would be different now.
- Oslide
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Apr 03, 2018
It's good to hear from such a renown player that I'm not alone with my percipience. It's also good to learn that there may be a remedy in form of a specific mouthpiece type. Thank you!
Still it would be great to hear from some of the serious TR4501 users about their impressions, insights, and perhaps solutions. Are there examples of this model that do possess those lauded qualities in the upper range? Any ideas or findings why some do, but others don't? What kind of mouthpieces work well while others don't? Do other small bore Holtons show a similar pattern? - What's going on? I'd highly appreciate your contribution!
Still it would be great to hear from some of the serious TR4501 users about their impressions, insights, and perhaps solutions. Are there examples of this model that do possess those lauded qualities in the upper range? Any ideas or findings why some do, but others don't? What kind of mouthpieces work well while others don't? Do other small bore Holtons show a similar pattern? - What's going on? I'd highly appreciate your contribution!
- RobertScott
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Nov 21, 2024
So, I have been playing a TR4501 for years in my community college jazz big band. I absolutely love how it plays, compared to my prior H.N. White King 3B Silversonic. I have tried alot of different mouthpieces, and I can tell you that it does not like the same mouthpiece as the King does. My sweet spot on the King is a Wick 10CS. The Urbie really likes the Marcinkiewicz Trombone Mouthpiece, ET1.7 Jiggs Whigham. I tried Bach 12, 7C, 6 1/2 AL, 11, King M21 and M31, Wick 12CS, 10CS, 6BS.
The ET1.7 really brings the upper register alive in my findings. Hope this helps!
The ET1.7 really brings the upper register alive in my findings. Hope this helps!
- DaveAshley
- Posts: 240
- Joined: Aug 01, 2018
I've owned an Urbie for about 7 years, and have never noticed a problem with the high range. (2B's on the other hand....)
Mine is one of the earlier ones with MARTIN etched in big block letters on the bell, instead of the script logo. Serial number is in the 500,000's. Someone told me that these early Urbies have a more open leadpipe.
Mine is one of the earlier ones with MARTIN etched in big block letters on the bell, instead of the script logo. Serial number is in the 500,000's. Someone told me that these early Urbies have a more open leadpipe.
- johntarr
- Posts: 368
- Joined: May 07, 2018
I recently bought one here on the forum and find the high register to be very easy. It’s perhaps the easiest horn I’ve played. Right now, I’m using a DE XT C cup with a #3 shank. That’s not even the right shank for .500 bore, but I’ve ordered the #2 shank and think it will be even better.
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
[quote="johntarr"]I recently bought one here on the forum and find the high register to be very easy. It’s perhaps the easiest horn I’ve played. Right now, I’m using a DE XT C cup with a #3 shank. That’s not even the right shank for .500 bore, but I’ve ordered the #2 shank and think it will be even better.[/quote]
Sometimes the 3 is the better choice, sometimes the 2 is. I use a 3 in my Yamaha 852 but a 2 in my Bach 12.
Sometimes the 3 is the better choice, sometimes the 2 is. I use a 3 in my Yamaha 852 but a 2 in my Bach 12.
- johntarr
- Posts: 368
- Joined: May 07, 2018
[quote="Burgerbob"]<QUOTE author="johntarr" post_id="259802" time="1732826857" user_id="3233">
I recently bought one here on the forum and find the high register to be very easy. It’s perhaps the easiest horn I’ve played. Right now, I’m using a DE XT C cup with a #3 shank. That’s not even the right shank for .500 bore, but I’ve ordered the #2 shank and think it will be even better.[/quote]
Sometimes the 3 is the better choice, sometimes the 2 is. I use a 3 in my Yamaha 852 but a 2 in my Bach 12.
</QUOTE>
Thanks! That’s a good reminder for me to keep an open mind.
I recently bought one here on the forum and find the high register to be very easy. It’s perhaps the easiest horn I’ve played. Right now, I’m using a DE XT C cup with a #3 shank. That’s not even the right shank for .500 bore, but I’ve ordered the #2 shank and think it will be even better.[/quote]
Sometimes the 3 is the better choice, sometimes the 2 is. I use a 3 in my Yamaha 852 but a 2 in my Bach 12.
</QUOTE>
Thanks! That’s a good reminder for me to keep an open mind.
- claf
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Oct 22, 2018
[quote="johntarr"]I recently bought one here on the forum and find the high register to be very easy. It’s perhaps the easiest horn I’ve played. Right now, I’m using a DE XT C cup with a #3 shank. That’s not even the right shank for .500 bore, but I’ve ordered the #2 shank and think it will be even better.[/quote]
That's interesting, I'm also using a #3 shank (with a C+ cup) and also find it's a very good match.
Please let us know how it is after trying the #2.
That's interesting, I'm also using a #3 shank (with a C+ cup) and also find it's a very good match.
Please let us know how it is after trying the #2.
- MaxPirone
- Posts: 624
- Joined: Mar 04, 2023
Never found a good feeling I had two both from 80's 7 1/2 bell...in fact the high range was not easy... Urbie said to me his martin was the exackly copy of one ofhis 2b duo bore standard not 500...those commercial horns had a 500 for to sell easy...
- hyperbolica
- Posts: 3990
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
I had a Wessex copy of the Urbie and it was the most neutral playing horn I've played aside from the Getzen 3508. Always wanted to play a real Urbie, though.
- Matt_K
- Posts: 4809
- Joined: Mar 21, 2018
The 2.5 is meant for dual bore horns but might also be an option you want to try. I suspect that the reason these horns play they do is the leadpipe, but I have no special knowledge about what kind of taper it might have... but I'm guessing it feels somewhat similar to having a larger bore based on what others have mentioned about it.