So, why should existing horn manufacturers be worried?
In a nutshell, CarolBrass (CB) offers more value for price. To illustrate, I'll give you some figures and then my own analysis of playing the horns.
Every CarolBrass trumpet with a bore of.460, which is most of them, from the entry level to the professional uses the exact same high-quality, CNC precision-engineered stainless steel pistons. Many other manufactures use a metal called monel for their high-end trumpets and some lesser alloy for their entry-level trumpets. Stainless steel is superior to even the other trumpets' monel pistons because it is the absolute most resistant of any metal to corrosion, which leads to slow and sticky valves. CB valves are smooth and quick and will stay that way for many years. The precision engineering contributes to excellent slotting, which is very important to high-register players. CB entry-level trumpets have a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of $400, which is less than most other manufacturers' entry-level trumpets, which range from $400 to $700, while offering greater quality. The CB top-of-the-line professional trumpets range in price from $950 to $2,000 as opposed to equivalent quality other brands that would range from $2,000 to $3,000. CB also uses some unique materials in some of their higher-end trumpets like sterling silver lead pipes, which are much more resistant to corrosion than brass. Also, CB will custom make trumpets, mixing and matching different bores with different lead pipe and bell materials and designs.
I have performed a blind sound test where I played my professional-level Benge trumpet and a CB entrty-level trumpet to my wife with her back turned without telling her which horn I was playing and she picked the CB as sounding better than the Benge. I realize that is not a very scientific study. I wish I had more subjects to test that on. I did do a blind sound test between my CB pocket trumpet and my Benge with Dr Darryl Jachens, Band Director at Southern Weslyan College, and of course a seasoned musician, and he picked my CB pocket trumpet over the Benge.
So, should other horn-makers be concerned? I think so. Unless they can do something to stay price-competitive with these new players, the up-and-comers like CarolBrass will give them a run for their money. And, though I'm not a fan of the art of the pun, I will say that CarolBrass is generating quite the "buzz" in the horn-blowing world!
In a nutshell, CarolBrass (CB) offers more value for price. To illustrate, I'll give you some figures and then my own analysis of playing the horns.
Every CarolBrass trumpet with a bore of.460, which is most of them, from the entry level to the professional uses the exact same high-quality, CNC precision-engineered stainless steel pistons. Many other manufactures use a metal called monel for their high-end trumpets and some lesser alloy for their entry-level trumpets. Stainless steel is superior to even the other trumpets' monel pistons because it is the absolute most resistant of any metal to corrosion, which leads to slow and sticky valves. CB valves are smooth and quick and will stay that way for many years. The precision engineering contributes to excellent slotting, which is very important to high-register players. CB entry-level trumpets have a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of $400, which is less than most other manufacturers' entry-level trumpets, which range from $400 to $700, while offering greater quality. The CB top-of-the-line professional trumpets range in price from $950 to $2,000 as opposed to equivalent quality other brands that would range from $2,000 to $3,000. CB also uses some unique materials in some of their higher-end trumpets like sterling silver lead pipes, which are much more resistant to corrosion than brass. Also, CB will custom make trumpets, mixing and matching different bores with different lead pipe and bell materials and designs.
I have performed a blind sound test where I played my professional-level Benge trumpet and a CB entrty-level trumpet to my wife with her back turned without telling her which horn I was playing and she picked the CB as sounding better than the Benge. I realize that is not a very scientific study. I wish I had more subjects to test that on. I did do a blind sound test between my CB pocket trumpet and my Benge with Dr Darryl Jachens, Band Director at Southern Weslyan College, and of course a seasoned musician, and he picked my CB pocket trumpet over the Benge.
So, should other horn-makers be concerned? I think so. Unless they can do something to stay price-competitive with these new players, the up-and-comers like CarolBrass will give them a run for their money. And, though I'm not a fan of the art of the pun, I will say that CarolBrass is generating quite the "buzz" in the horn-blowing world!
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