[TPIN] TMEA equipment report

[Michael Anderson]

Just returned from TMEA. What incredible displays...

I tried a bunch of horns.

Very interested in trying the new "True Bach" trumpets. They played very
very well. .particularly the Chicago C. Loved it. The others were also very
good.

Played the Yamaha New York Bb (Bob Sullivan) - Loved it. Great horn.

Played the Yamaha Bergeron - Loved it.. Very different from the Sullivan

Played Schilke C Cornet - good. Really wanted to play their new "orchestral
picc" They didn't have one because they can't keep up with demand and Rick
Baptist just put the display horn in his bag at the NAMM show - this
according to Schilke owner Andrew Naumann. I was quite disappointed I didn't
get to try it.

Played the Getzen C cornet - Excellent. I want one.

Played the Mike Vax Getzen - Excellent as well.. Great sound and feel.

The true highlight for me was actually the horns made by Chinese company
Eastman. I raved a bit about the Bb a few months ago, but they had two C
trumpets at this show. I was floored by the quality, playability and sound
of this horn for the money. It sells for $1080 and comes with a GREAT double
case. For that price you cannot beat this horn for the money as far as I
know.

Bob Seeburg (sp?) who used to be with Conn-Selmer is the rep and he asked me
"Is the Chicago Bach and Yamaha $1400 better than this C trumpet?" That was
a tough question to answer. My answer was - for a working professional who
makes his/her living playing C trumpet, the higher end custom horns are
probably worth the extra dough - BUT for a younger player or a comebacker,
or a church-only C trumpet player, I think it is a great answer. This thing
played very even and without the typical pitch and consistency issues. I
will have no qualms recommending this horn to my younger students who are
ready to own their own C trumpets. Of course, I feel the same way about the
pro line Getzen C... Another great trumpet for not a lot of money, but they
are higher than the Eastman.

Check em out.

For the record - I'm not a clinician or artist for any horn manufacturer. I
am now playing Bach trumpets heavily modified by Ken Larsen Brasswerks and a
Stomvi Master picc... So, this is a fairly unbiased account. :-)

MA