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Tunning
Oct 28, 2003 17:07:33 GMT -5
Post by Taylor on Oct 28, 2003 17:07:33 GMT -5
Hello again.
I dont think the 'Floating Slide thing is bonkers at all. It has all kinds of merits. A few years back at an ITG I was discussing this very concept with another small trumpet maker (American and no beard) and we both had similar views. It was great to bounce this off each other as the more we discussed it the more we came to the conclusion that the biggest obsticle was not the slide itself, but the mechanical engineering involved to make it run smoothly and above all reliably.
This slide would need to be able to lengthen AND shorten the tuning length of the horn and ALWAYS return exactly to a preset point. It must be easy to operate and comfortable. If its to flimsy it will break. A system like this could easily do away with the 1st slide, but I'm in favour of keeping the 3rd (old habits die hard). It also needs to be far enough along the tube length of the horn so as not to be to disruptive to the airflow. This may nessesitate a pretty major rethink on the trumpets basic layout (see my earlier posting) which brings us back to..... Arghh!! thats a funny looking trumpet, I cant possibly pick that up and play it!!!
I would love to try this, but my skills are more honed in other areas of brass instrument making. This project would need the input of a very competent model engineer to make it work. I can do most of the rest.
Different subject... The dogs is named Saffy. She's a large 5 year old long haired black and tan German Shepherd with a monster bark. Sometimes refered to as Taylor Trumpets Head of Security. She is however to those who know her a total softey. You'll just have to take my word for it, unless you've been for a visit already (and lived to tell the tale) ;-)
Regards to all.
Andy.
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Tunning
Oct 29, 2003 0:57:01 GMT -5
Post by Liad Bar-EL on Oct 29, 2003 0:57:01 GMT -5
Being that you, Andy, are already making “the Phoenix being the bird of fire” as you have stated previously, you could make a Phoenix II which would be a cross between the present model and this one: www.trumpetstuff.com/images/firebird/ thereby having a tunable trumpet by way of a floating side. This model which MF plays came into being in 1970; so, the slide development itself is not a problem. Do they have engineers in Norwich who are trumpet players also? I know of a trumpet player/engineer in Italy if you want to touch bases with him to get some ideas. He’s name and e-mail address: Gianni Amidei [amidei_1@libero.it] After speaking with him, I found that he is very interested in developing new things for the trumpet and I think he would be more than willing to work with you. Once you get the manually operated horn put together, then we will talk about the electronic push buttons to activate the slide(s). (hey guys, I’m just joking here);D Liad Bar-EL Is it true that your dog only howls at non-Taylor trumpet sounds?
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Tunning
Oct 29, 2003 14:46:05 GMT -5
Post by Taylor on Oct 29, 2003 14:46:05 GMT -5
The slide on the MF Firebird was ment for something totally different. It a mini trombone slide that gives about 3 or 4 positions, just like the first half of a grown up trombone. While this could be used for pitch correction I doubt very much that was its purpose.
My route would be lever operated, but back and forth, causing the slide to move in or out according to the leverage applied, with a centre preset. Around 1" or 25mm travel each way would be enough.
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Don't laugh about electric motors or soleniods on brass instruments. Its happened on tubas already and WILL get scaled down for smaller instruments in time. When it does happen reliably just think of the possibilties it could open up. For one the valves could be 'anywhere' on the horn. Grouped close together or spaced out at what ever distance is deemed the best accoustically. Touch sensitive finger buttons that dont actually move. A water detecter that turns on a LED so you know when to empty it. Built in electronic tuner (now that is a cool idea, green for in tune, red for out of tune) and a timer to let you know when the gig 'should' have finished. Oh, and sealed bearings on the valves, no need to oil it (thought you'd like that one) This is fun. Beam me up Scotty.
I can see one tiny tiny problem with this. Singers can never remember to pack a spare battery for ther radio mic, the guitar player forgets the spare for his delay pedal. Now it could be the trumpet players turn to ask where the nearest garage/711/general store is open that sells Duracells at 8-45, 15 mins before he's due on stage!! Could be fun times.
Regards.
Andy.
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Tunning
Oct 29, 2003 18:31:28 GMT -5
Post by Trptmaster on Oct 29, 2003 18:31:28 GMT -5
Ohh my Andy I'm just getting used to heavy valve caps ;D TM
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Tunning
Oct 30, 2003 6:55:09 GMT -5
Post by camelbrass on Oct 30, 2003 6:55:09 GMT -5
Hi,
A recent experience highlights perceptions of being 'in tune'. I recently played alongside a guy who played a well known brand of trumpet beginning with a B.., good player as well (well much better than me). Anyway after a quick tune up I spent the entire rehearsal mucking round with my tuning slide and just couldn't get it to match the pitch of his. He noticed I was playing the Taylor and of course snidely suggested my problem was the trumpet or me because the B... could not be out. Well red rag to a bull and a challenge to pistols in the control room of a studio, backs to the industrial strength tuner and guess what?
The guy walked away pretty red faced. The Taylor was a little flat on a few notes (not the D or Eb funnily enough) but was pretty close all the way to high C. The B..was all over the place but 2nd space A and Bb were nowhere near it (sharp as hell). This guy is now thinking is it me or is it the horn?
I guess the point is that it seems certain trumpets minimise the compromises you have to make to centre the note. The inefficiencies in the design are obviously still there but yiou can live with them.
Regards
Trevor
PS Or better still Andy forget to plug it in to recharge the day before, or what about an adaptor to plug straight in on stage. Great with all that spit hanging about. You could have 50w 100w or 150w instead of medium, ml or large bore!!
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Tunning
Nov 1, 2003 10:21:11 GMT -5
Post by Taylor on Nov 1, 2003 10:21:11 GMT -5
Hi Trevor.
Thank you. The voice of reason, and of course we all play different as well. Give the same horn to 10 different players and they will usually come up with differering tuning 'difficulties'. Its what makes trumpet playing'making such fun!!!
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Rechargable cells. Good, must add that to spec sheet. Not so keen on the plug into the mains bit tho'... Inhibits freedom to move around the stage and what about the dreaded earth loop! Oops.. the trumpets players just welded his mpc to his face, call for an ambulance. The Health and Saftey people would have a field day!
The 50/100/150W selector is good to. We can transfer that to a preset resistance airflowometer, only call it 459/464/470. How about an auto switch that monitors the pressure going in and automatically dials in more resistance the higher and louder you want to play? or you could switch it off and play on 'manual' settings and sweat some more. A sort of skid control for trumpeters.
For an extra few bucks it could have the UHF radio mic built in, selectable frequencies of course. Must have preset EQ settings with names like 'Jazz Club', 'Symphony', 'flugel' or 'So you wanna be Maynard Eh!' Possibly a deluxe version with a radio reciever for the monitor mix and you just plug a ear piece into the horns own built in headphone amp.
Finished in Black or for a few extra bucks, traditional brass look. Hey, why should keyboard players have all the fun?
Regards to all.
Andy.
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Tunning
Nov 1, 2003 13:09:57 GMT -5
Post by Tootsall on Nov 1, 2003 13:09:57 GMT -5
Andy...I already have one of those. The label says "Marantz". ;D
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Tunning
Nov 1, 2003 21:53:52 GMT -5
Post by camelbrass on Nov 1, 2003 21:53:52 GMT -5
Hi,
Thats funny mine says Yamaha!! ;D
Regards
Trevor
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