"Eclipse" Piccolo Trumpet -Review for Brass Herald by Andy Crowley
TESTBERICHT AUS DER FACHZEITSCHRIFT BRASS HERALD
Autor: Andy Crowley
"Eclipse" Piccolo Trumpet - Review for Brass Herald by Andy Crowley
I recently spent some time with the Austrian trumpet designer Karl Schagerl at the Royal College of Music, demonstrating his rotary trumpets to some students, and I found him to be highly proud, enthusiastic and open minded about his instruments (these were fantastic). He has since sent two piston valve trumpets for me to try; a piccolo trumpet in Bb/A, plus a large bore Bb trumpet, which I will review at a later date.
The "Eclipse" design is based on the well-known Schilke P5-4 that revolutionised piccolo trumpet playing in 1971, also copied by companies such as Yamaha, Stomvi and Kanstul. The Schagerl bore size is fractionally smaller by 0.010" but actually makes a warmer sound than the Schilke and is easy, agile and nearly perfectly in tune on the 1st valve D's and open E's (in Bb and A). Most impressive though is the workmanship and finish, as I have owned quite a selection of piccolos in my career and this model is by far the nicest to hold! No annoying third slide water key getting in the way, a very effective third valve ring (with a stay to stop the slide falling off), very air tight but free-moving slides, positive gliding valves and beautifully finished in silver. Karl has thought of everything that a professional or amateur could want, right down to rubber slide rings to keep the mechanics quiet plus the option to use either a cornet shank or trumpet mouthpiece. It is also worth mentioning that this company produces a good range of accessories to keep your new purchase in tip-top condition. Very classy indeed and for around £1650, great value; I now have to find a way to justify to my wife why I need yet another trumpet....
Technical
Bb/A Piccolo Trumpet
Yellow-brass bell
Bell : 101 mm (4")
Bore: 11,2mm (0.440")
Finish: Silver plated or gold plated
with Leadpipe A & Bb, available with Trumpet Shank or with Cornet Shank
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http:// www.schagerl.at
Tel: +43 2755 2302-0