[Hornlist] Re: leadpipes on 8D
It's good to realize though that historical value and playing value are not necessarily in conflict. Those old cats knew how to make a horn that sounded and played great in the old days. I've seen too many of those great old horns "modernized" so that they now sound bland, dead, "digital", whatever you want to call it. The way most newer horns sound. The magic was in those old parts that got thrown away. You really can't improve an old horn that has mechanical trouble (leaks) by adding new parts. Fix the leaky valves and slides and you may find the original leadpipe was pretty darn good! Having said that, it's very possible for an old leadpipe to be just worn out or damaged beyond use. Then you don't have much choice. Of course you should get my new leadpipe which is in trials right now but should be ready for production in the next couple of months. - Steve Mumford In a message dated 4/15/06 1:00:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Steve F writes: > The sound is what matters, and historical value is for things that sit in a > glass case somewhere. If you play the thing, make it to your liking limited > by only your good judgement and your wallet. If your horn is of historical > value, put it on the shelf and buy one to play! > > I realize I'm oversimplifying a bit but these two things - historical value > and playing value - are really potentially in conflict. People don't > commute in Model T's. > > ___ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
[Hornlist] Re: Leadpipes on 8d Luke Zyla's Post
Hornfolks My absolute opinion. If one purchases an 8d; one would wish to do his/her best effort to obtain an Elkhardt 8d. Especially L,M,N series and perhaps even the rarer earlier series. One may do quite a bit of shopping, searching & haggling with collectors of these wonderful horns; but it is WORTH it. I had an L series & loved it for 20 yrs. It got trashed on a Mexico City bus (not my fault). When they moved the factory to Texas, the quality of 8d's fell quite dramatically. I accidentally, due to the purposeful action of a dishonest music store owner in Alabama, obtained an 8d that I was told was an Elkhardt; however proved to be an hybrid (some Texas some whatever.) It was a piece of ; played out of tune; valves froze up; metal too thin for my taste . I got rid of it after 2 yrs, bought my Millenium Merker 2000 & loved it. Still have it; still love it but it is not the same as an 8d. If I could get another Elkhardt 8d I would fork over the $ in an instant if I had it. I understand the factory has moved to a different location & improved the quality of the 8d. I have not played any of these horns, therefore cannot offer my honest opinion; however should I come across one, the list will know my honest thoughts, both good and not so good. and as far as placing a different model of leadpipe on a horn. One wishes to be most cautious in doing this. I had a (particular unnamed brand) of leadpipe installed on my old Alexander Mainz horn; which; prior to this, played perfectly on tune; tested perfect on a chromatic strobotuner. After the leadpipe was installed, the horn played FEROCIOUSLY out of tune. In addition, the PERSONS (I will not give out the name because everyone knows who they are...); did something to the valves that caused them to leak worse than they had before; in addition, they polished the horn so much that the metal became quite thing (it was unlacquered. I had to sell it & got my Elkhardt, due to a happy coincidence in Moss Landing, CA where an antiques dealer had 2 of them for $150.00 apiece purchased from a dentist who had intended to hang them on his wall as garden ornaments. Thank God I got to that horn before someone else. It saved my playing. best wishes to all of you Rachel Harvey > >From: "Luke Zyla" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Subject: Re: [Hornlist] leadpipes on 8D > >Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2006 22:48:13 -0400 > > > >All I can say is that I wasn't pleased with the upper register and the > >focus of the low register on my 8-D. The goal of a company like Conn is to > >>>maximize profit by producing the best horn for the lowest price. This > >involves > >compromise. ___ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
[Hornlist] Re: Leadpipes on 8d
I wouldn't worry so much about fooling with leadpipes. A lot of brass players have huge misconceptions about how easy brass repair is, and let me tell you from an amatuer horn tinkerers experience that brass repair is in no way as big of a deal as a lot of us think it is. Of course neither is car repair, but only a few out there have the time and dedication to learn a craft to work on our own cars or horns. As far as worrying about changing things on a horn by heating it up and removing parts, as long as the repair man or woman is knowledgeable and careful you have absolutely nothing to worry about. As far as historical value goes, always keep your original parts. They can always be put back on, and if it's a good job nobody besides a good repair man is going to know the difference. Secondly, I remember talking to Tony Halstead about leadpipes for 8d's and I believe he has the best designed pipe for an 8d type instrument out there. It's a Perry/Halstead pipe made by Nick Perry- I'm pretty sure he took a number of "good" pipes for 8d's from the original M series pipe, A few Atkinson Pipes, some Lawson Pipes, and some older pre letter series pipes and drew a map to come up with a consistant pipe based on four or five other very good leadpipes. I also remember that these pipes are extremely cheap compared to Atkinson Patterson or Lawson; (almost half the price). Check out Mr. Halsteads new website for contact information. Josh Johnson ___ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
