Lawler's Goals.

[TopGun]

What do you think Lawler is going for in his instruments? It seems like these are built more for orchestral use from what I ahve heard but I may be way off base. What is sound concept?

Thanks,
TopGun

[CoolBenge]

Many of Roy Lawler's horns tend to be more commercially oriented. His TL-1/1A does have a bell flare similar to a Bach 37 and is a fine candidate for orchestral use. According to his website it is his most popular model. But the other standard models probably suit a commercial player better. Lawler's horns are custom made. They are not assembly line instruments such as Kanstul, Wild Thing, Yamaha, Bach, Zeus, B&S etc. They are built according to the specs of the customer. For instance the Lawler 21B I owned had its bell tempered 3 times to brighten the tone. The previous owner had a naturally dark tone and wanted to brighten his tone a bit. That trumpet was definately a great big band horn. The Lawler TL-6R has a rose brass bell and is designed to have that warm full Martin Committee tone. The TL-5 has a big fat tone. I actually saw a gold plated TL-5 that had been customized to the point that it had sheet bracing ala a Monette. It had a smaller pipe than the standard #2 leadpipe. It had extensive engraving all over the horn. The valve cluster had been moved forward like a Selmer Balanced Model trumpet. The trumpeter for Cirque du Soliel in Orlando was playing it. A truly beautiful custom trumpet. Even the size of the leadpipe venturi is customized according to the needs of the customer. For instance if a given leadpipe is too small but the next size too big then he will enlarge the smaller pipe's venturi to fit the player. If you want a .heavy 24 guage bell instead of a .20 guage bell then you've got it. He even adjusts the mouthpiece reciever gap according to the brand of mouthpiece you play. The horns listed on his site are the setups that he has found to be most popular but the customer can deviate from those combinations. Mr. Lawler makes some of the parts and outsources others. The valve blocks are Getzen made. They are a very good value for the money. His customer service is top notch too.

CB

[Lawler Bb]

I would agree that Lawler's aim is toward the commercial side of playing, though like CoolBenge stated, Mr. Lawler will build you anything. I use my Lawler for all styles, though it is best suited for commercial playing. I live and study in a "Bach" oriented city. Almost everyone plays Bach for all horns except piccolo. Blending with a Bach 37 is an issue with my Lawler, though mine isn't made for orchestral playing. I have no doubt that Mr. Lawler could build a horn that would be at home in a Bach section.

I would love to call Mr. Lawler and have him make me a matched set of Bb and C orchestral trumpets, but if you don't play a Bach here in Milwaukee, it doesn't matter what the "other" horn sounds like. Not the way I like to think about it, but I'll deal with it .

One of the things that amazes me most about Lawler trumpets is how flexible the sound is. I can put a lead mpc in my horn and it screams, a 1-1/4C for all around, or a Bach 3 in it for mellow, almost flugel-like playing. Those are just three examples. Monette mouthpieces make a wonderful sound as well.

Like CoolBenge stated, Lawler customer service is more than excellent. Mr. Lawler has answered my questions immediately.

These trumpets represent one of the finest values in professional horns today, IMHO. The level of playability, build quality, and custom service available for the money is amazing!

[BruceLee]

Hi, All!

I would agree that Lawler's are a bit more on the commercial side of the fence. I would also say that Lawler's blend VERY WELL with other manufacturer's horns. The two things that most people comment on most, about Lawler trumpets, is their response and intonation.

There are a few symphony players, that I've sold to, who are absolutely thrilled with their "new" sound. As LawlerBb has stated, a lot of the sound characteristics can be controlled with the mouthpiece choice, along with the leadpipe, and bell configuration. As mentioned, the "streamlined" offerings, as far as models are concerned, are a result of a "time-tested" success rate for the majority of the players... "customization" is not a problem.

The horns are very well made, and they are a great value. It's difficult to compete with the production horns, but, by keeping the price within reach, the difference in cost is well worth it. The new Getzen valve block was a GREAT addition... the new Lawler's carry the Lifetime Getzen Valve Warranty!

The Lawler's, Eclipse, and Callet trumpets are always on the table, whenever I do my "Trumpetfests". Just back from Mobile, Alabama... next stop... Melrose, Massachusetts - November 1st. Workin' on Dallas/Fort Worth for November 15th. Atlanta - December 7th - Holiday Trumpets. January 10th - Atlanta Trumpets. (See details on my website.)

The TL6R-1A is a real winner! Although... I'm REALLY lookin' forward to the NEW "Lawler Committee". It's starting out as a .464 bore, like the popular Martin Committee. Next, will be the .460 bore, and last, but certainly not least, the .453 bore that Miles made legendary. The "Lawler Committee" will feature an engraved bell, and "vintage" Martin Committee-type water keys. Can't wait to get my hot hands on this horn... Roy told me that I should have it VERY soon! It will definitely be with me in Melrose, Massachusetts, for the Northern Brass Trumpetfest.

I hope that any of you that live in the areas that I've mentioned will come check these horns out!

Bruce
[e-mail]

[jsou]

Hi all,

I have enough trouble trying to catch up with the "other" two trumpet sites. So the last thing I needed was a new one!

But you lured me in with this Lawler Forum.

I'm new to the "Lawler Club" with a TL6R-1A that I purchased from Bruce Lee in July. It's a fantastic and everything I'd been looking for in a trumpet. I've just sent it to Roy for some custom "tweaks" and a brushed gold plate finish. For the money I can't think of a better horn out there and now that I've owned it for a while I'd have to honestly say that even if I had unlimited funds, I'd still go with the Lawler.

Best wishes to Trumpet Master and here's to a successful site!

GO SOX!

[BruceLee]

Hey, Johnny!

Somehow, I had you pegged for that finish! It had nothing to do with the fact that your Bach that you had with you was goldplated, as are all of your mouthpieces.

You'll all enjoy this little tidbit about Johnny's TL6R-1A. The day that he came to visit, he played that horn for about ten minutes before he was totally sold on it. After about an hour, he decided that it was time to go, and he paid for the horn. It didn't come with a case, sooo... as he was leaving, I asked him if he wanted "paper, or plastic". (He did have a case in his car.)

Anyways, I just thought that I would share that. Makes me

See ya in Melrose, Johnny!

Bruce

[B5toLawler]

Hi Everyone,

It's great to see some old friends in hear.

It's been a month since I picked up the last Longwood Lawler and my smile is still there. ;D The TL6r-1a is amazing. Sound that used to be hard work is now second nature. The response, feel and blow are all easy and natural. I really think Roy's artisan effort shines in each horn. I'm looking forward to trying the new committee when I pick up the LF1 flugel.

Bruce, I'm glad your here to help moderate this forum.

Dan

[BruceLee]

Thanks, Dan!

Good to see you, too!

The TL6R-1A is definitely a winner! We'll expect some feedback about the LF-1 Flugel.

Another day closer to the "Lawler Committee"!

Bruce

[TopGun]

Well I think I know a little more about Lawler now.

Thanks guys,
TG

[Trptmaster]

I never knew a d**n thing about the horn. Now here I have a wealth of info in one forum. Great job guys! And thanks!
TM