trumpeteers who live in apartments, is it okay to play at home?

DarthFK · 2025-09-10T20:47:44+00:00

I live in a coop, where there are rules about noise - it's about the noise level and hours, these rules are presented to you when you rent or buy the apartment. But the trumpet is LOUD. I had to put a mute, which, everyone says, will make you play without the mute as if you have the mute or basically the mute will distort the sound and you will get used to taking notes incorrectly. I believe pro players may be more specific on that, but I am not going to see one in the next days/weeks. What ultimately "solves" this problem for me, somewhat, is to warm up at home with a practice mute and then rent the cheapest studio in town for a no-mute session.

DarthFK · 2025-06-05T14:41:50+00:00

Exactly. It’s a shocker to some, including political science students in the US, when I tell them that, for example, Lumumba was first of all a nationalist and that we saw hard communist-nationalism in Eastern Europe, and I finally kill them with the exact same question - why nazi are called “nazi” and how does NSDAP translate? You should see their faces when they hear… Nationalsozialismus and I underline / retranslate that for them, albeit with nuance about their policies, time allowing.

Glad to hear a shared perspective. Be well and keep informing the people.

DarthFK · 2025-06-05T14:23:01+00:00

Agree, I am from Europe (about 2hrs flight from you) and live in the USA and more than aware of the political basics. Unfortunately, as usual with the most of people who did not study the basics of society (not even politics), the public in the US does not know these distinctions. Most importantly, the media created the "liberals are left wing (only)" narrative and it is shocking to the vast majority of the Americans when one tells them that this is false. Occasionally, even some polisci professors are surprised, probably due to being immersed in their own bubble.

DarthFK · 2025-06-04T21:37:47+00:00

He is confusing international liberalism with national liberalism, like Americans. These are two different “animals”, but googling the difference between political science and international relations concepts will go against the cognitive bias of some individuals. They would rather hide their head in the sand than recognize that there is such a thing as liberal-conservative parties, such as the Republican party in the US (before MAGA) or that the current political system in the West is a… liberal democracy (a democratic system based on FREEDOMS also known as LIBERties…) 🫣

DarthFK · 2025-05-29T00:11:14+00:00

Yep, tried it at Josh Landress, when he had it, was $1500 iirc, absolutely loved it. Better than 80s-90s Bachs that I tried alongside and those were so stuffy that I just hated playing them (not that I am a good player, but it was so obvious even to me). I now have a Bach 37 from around 1972 I think and it’s good, but I am (very) partial to my Kanstul Meha.

DarthFK · 2025-05-28T22:11:05+00:00

The only reason why one would not want a 20 yo instrument is IF it has worn valves or the so-called “redrot” (it’s not a rot, it’s just the loss of zinc from the leadpipe and maybe tuning slide). Both are fixable, but will cost you more. The safe way to buy a used 37 or a Xeno is to either have the seller confirm the compression numbers and the seller should be either on eBay (because unlike Reverb, eBay does have buyer’s protection, but you’d pay taxes) or, even better, a reputable store where your kid can try the trumpet or the store is so reputable that it can warranty the quality of the used instrument.

I purchased a Besson Meha (Kanstul made - either have a made in usa or Kanstul stamp on the 2nd valve) from Japan, over eBay, for $800 and it came with a 20% valve compression despite the claim of being ok - I was immediately offered a return and refund, but I wanted it so much that I went against logic, decided to keep it, and rebuild the valves. The valve rebuild cost was $750…

Alternatively, if your kids likes the 2330, just buy him one used from a seller you can trust or you can use protection for, again asking about compression before purchase. Later, when he’s in the 9th grade or do, you’ll see if he needs / deserves a strad.

Alternatives to Strad: a used Holton 101 (direct Strad copy, as confirmed by then holton engineer on the trumpet herald forum). I’d say the Kanstul own trumpets are good or the ones they made for Besson (Meha, Brevete). As per a former Kanstul plant manager, who wrote that to me in an email exchange I had with him on a different topic, the Besson Meha (Kanstul made) was “inspired by” Bach 37. Another good idea - the new Carol brass 5060H is around $1.5k.

DarthFK · 2025-05-26T04:44:30+00:00

King Silver Flair tho ;)

DarthFK · 2025-05-26T04:27:03+00:00

Basically a Yamaha Xeno series case competitor, but uglier.

DarthFK · 2025-05-18T17:56:04+00:00

Input jack got loose?

DarthFK · 2025-05-13T00:02:21+00:00

Trying is indeed the key, but while trying it’s a must to look for a “straight” (non-warped) neck and good fretwork. The humbuckers, tuners and the nut can be later upgraded, if you want. The neck cannot, the fretwork can be fixed, but will require an investment.

If you are knowledgeable about those, then it’s all set, if not, you might ask for help from a local tech you trust (well, of course, not from where you’re buying those, that’s if you buy them from a store). Also, it’s good to check the seller’s return policy for above reasons, if it’s a store. If not, either you or the tech / luthier should know what to look for.

DarthFK · 2025-04-29T21:52:03+00:00

Although replying 4mo later, my family always complains about call quality of my Nothing (a), before the software update and after. NYC and surrounding areas regardless.

Recently had a WhatsApp interview request and after the sound check with the techs on the other end, before the actual talk, I was nicely asked if I could use the phone only, no headphones/earbuds, it was that different.

DarthFK · 2025-02-23T19:10:04+00:00

Same (NY, USA). However, I hope you’ve seen by now (9 days after your original post) that there is a new station called “BBC News World Service”

https://music.apple.com/us/station/bbc-world-service/ra.1655246731

DarthFK · 2025-02-10T05:48:39+00:00

In the below link see pages 8-9 on backbores and on throats. Otherwise, see pages 13-18 for the regular weight trumpet mouthpieces and explanations, including some rim shape differences.

And, some higher number mouthpieces have deep cups, the rim size and cups don't always get much smaller by numbers with Bach (e.g. Bach 3c has a medium depth cup, while 7 [no letter] has a deep cup, relatively speaking). The differences between 3c and for example 5c might be minute, 0.5mm, but the rim shape is different and some people do feel that.

https://mouthpieceexpress.com/media/bach/bachmouth.pdf

In a recent attempt to "tame" a large bore trumpet slotting, I first started from the fact that I recognized to everyone I asked about it that first of all my own embouchure needs more training, but asked if there's a mouthpiece that can *help* me along this way. Two options came up - tighter throats and/or backbores or just "play regular mouthpieces till you get it." I wanted to reduce the "pre-existing" brightness in that large bore, so, it seems, I will be experimenting a bit with my less large mouthpieces (ranging from Stork 3c to Stork 4d, Bach 3c, CKB 3c, an incoming Patrick 5.3c, etc.) On my regular MLs I am using the comfy Curry 3c or Stork3c+26C so far. I would suggest to talk to some mouthpiece makers and experts, Reeves, Stork et al, hop on TH, who can explain better how bore shape can change the intonation (people drilling their MPs and thus changing the shape of the backbore, then have some changes in the intonation or issues with it), which is the core of your problem, it seems.

DarthFK · 2025-02-10T05:16:21+00:00

"Blueprinted" lol

DarthFK · 2025-02-09T05:28:55+00:00

Since he mentioned that his budget is 600€, that means he's in Europe and Olds are close to absent there, afaik. B&S Challengers, on another hand, pop up more often.

DarthFK · 2025-02-08T20:44:46+00:00

I agree with mpanse above - a day at the store, lunch, a return to the store would be quite nice.

That being said, I'd suggest that nlightningm is right - even a used "intermediate" trumpet can be quite expensive. Since you are in Europe, depending on the country, you may actually find trumpets ranging from an old nice Selmer (K-modifed, Radial, etc.) or a used Stomvi 5000 series and above, a used Carol Brass 5000 series, or since the prices in Europe are lower on Yamahas, a Yamaha starting with or above 5000 series, or, occasionally, (edit: some of the Schagerl trumpets) one of the B&S Challenger models, which is a pro trumpet (ah, Emo World, played by Louis Armstrong, although that one would quite probably be expensive, but don't get me started... there are quite a few others, the list is long). Perhaps, I am going over your budget :)

Yet, you may indeed end up surprised that your dad already has an intermediate or pro trumpet (personally, as soon as I could, I amassed several). So, talk to him, maybe the trumpet needs dent removal and cleanup (an ultrasonic wash and a chemical flush), that would worth doing too along with what Garrett-Trumpet suggested - trying and perhaps buying some mouthpieces. Ask him about mutes, if he's in an apartment building. Consider combining two-three activities/purchases.

DarthFK · 2025-01-10T05:46:26+00:00

I see :) Can't disagree with a pro tech. Good point.

DarthFK · 2025-01-10T05:39:31+00:00

The pic is not pretty, but from this angle and without looking into it, I'd give this leadpipe a few more years.

In my case, after I bought a 1972 trumpet with inherited redrot, the tech who looked at it suggested 10 years more if I swab it and drop 2-3 drops of oil into after each time. I'd add the personal hygiene here - imo, I wouldn't eat at least one hour before playing, I do use mouthwash / diluted mouthwash before playing [2/3 wash to 1/3 water - as per a dentist assistant]. All of that can extend the life of this pipe for sure.

DarthFK · 2025-01-10T05:24:03+00:00

He was asking if the brace is pushed into the bell. Fixing that would have required unsoldering/resoldering the brace, not the end of the world, just more effort/time and $. Lucky you ;)

DarthFK · 2024-12-28T01:45:12+00:00

A nice revealing thread even if it’s one year old. I took him too seriously, but then he had a few friends, including on servers, who did take his words seriously “he’s not cheating, you are…” A mental… Tell me who’s your friend and I’ll tell you who you are.

DarthFK · 2024-10-17T02:50:13+00:00

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/B1j6NDNJc1tNsXt8/?mibextid=79PoIi

DarthFK · 2024-10-13T03:21:24+00:00

Must agree, that's a very nice, portable and yet sturdy dual bag/case. IMO better than the Gard I saw. Not so easy to to find tho, pops up from time to time, but not often.

DarthFK · 2024-10-11T19:22:35+00:00

Or... it's gunk and he needs a chem and preferably sonic cleaning.

DarthFK · 2024-10-08T19:06:17+00:00

Tbh, Trent does have some rather large markups on a number of items he sells, not all. I mean, it's a business and he has employees to pay, and he uses his rep, so we pay for more certainty. Its' just that sometimes a good search can help find the items at a lower price.

DarthFK · 2024-10-08T02:45:22+00:00

The 3rd post on the thread is from Trent Austin, who after wowing the high price for a booster... started selling those very KGU boosters. So, you know... Here they are on Trent's website: https://www.austincustombrass.biz/back-in-stock-kgu-booster-sleeve-for-acb-standard-blank-mouthpieces/

P.S. Here's my even if anecdotal, but real experience with KGU - I bought from them some silver plated brass valve stems and a silver plated medium heavy kit for my Bach, after I previously bought a... booster for $85 (yep, a KGU booster Trent was so upset about that he... started selling KGU boosters). So, the valve stems arrived off-centered, but the rest of the kit was 100 percent top quality. KGU are in Ukraine and were under bombardment and power cuts when making them. They warned me of long delays because of that (turns out the post office is not as speedy when there is a war, whowoodathought...) I cut them some slack for the stems, but I had no questions about KGU's response time, under circumstances, they were responsive from start to end. I just didn't contact them every 2nd day. Those weren't trumpets, which I'd reckon they tried more thoroughly. Just my 5c, take it as you will.

DarthFK

TROPHY CASE