Author Topic: Any musicians here? (Read 5916 times)

Star1pup · « **Reply #30 on:** February 24, 2009, 12:35:33 PM »

I was a trumpet major for my short stay in college, but got married, worked in a steel mill, then taught myself photography and writing. Ended my career in TV as a writer/producer. I still kick myself for selling my horn at a garage sale in 1975 for a ridiculously low price. A few years ago I was given an elcheapo trumpet and played to amuse myself, but just couldn't get the sound out of the student quality horn. Now I just don't have the money to buy a good horn so I don't play. The horn I sold way back then was an Olds Mendez model. Bought it in 1955 for $500 so you can imagine what it would cost today. Maybe someday I'll find a garage sale bargain myself and pick it up again.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #31 on:** February 24, 2009, 01:25:00 PM »

one on Ebay for $1600. I have a 50's vintage Olds Ambassador - they are only going for about 350 these days/.

Star1pup · « **Reply #32 on:** February 25, 2009, 02:42:58 AM »

Quote from: gstewart44 on February 24, 2009, 01:25:00 PM

one on Ebay for $1600. I have a 50's vintage Olds Ambassador - they are only going for about 350 these days/.

I don't remember the Ambassador, but every time I have money I always seem to find a scope, or gun, or whatever that I seem to need more than a trumpet.

Dee · « **Reply #33 on:** February 25, 2009, 03:02:13 AM »

I HAVE AN AMBASSADOR. It's a 5000 D. I can't cast it worth a crap, it back lashes (fisherman's knot). I did try blowing thru it though after reading these posts, but there doesn't seem to be a mouth piece. It sounded like crap anyway.

jmayton · « **Reply #34 on:** February 25, 2009, 03:48:59 AM »

In high school (1990), I bought a beat up 1970's Bach Strad 72 for $150. It was ugly, but played beautifully. In college I wanted to play bass, so I traded it for a cheap Peavey bass. The guy gave me $200 for the horn. Neither me, nor the girl who sold it to me knew what we had. I started looking for an new horn a few years ago, but was spoiled by the Bach so anything of lesser quality didn't work well for me. And, since the only horn I found like mine was about $1600, I couldn't justify the expense. I did some research and decided to look for an Olds Ambassador. I found a 1955 Ambassador on EBay with a buyitnow of $150. I snatched it up and am very pleased with it. It'll be a horn that will be with me for quite some time and my children and maybe grandchildren will enjoy it.

It may be a bit sinful, but I always wanted a satin finished horn and since the lacquer on this Ambassador was pretty bad, I lightly sanded everything but the inside of the bell and the valve block with 600grit sandpaper giving it a nice satin finish. I didn't figure it would change the value significantly and it did brighten the sound a bit. Anyway, it's a great playing horn that has a unique look to it.

Star1pup · « **Reply #35 on:** February 25, 2009, 04:30:04 AM »

Maybe I'll start looking seriously for a horn, but might have to wait until Obama fixes my retirement funds. The best sounding trumpet I ever had was a Selmer.

jmayton · « **Reply #36 on:** February 25, 2009, 06:15:08 AM »

My Strad was the best playing, but I've always like the sound of Schilkes over everything else. The Yamaha Zenos aren't bad either. But for an inexpensive horn, an Olds (pre-'70 and better than that pre-'58) is hard to beat. I think you have to move into anyone else's professional line to get the same sound and playability.

Star1pup · « **Reply #37 on:** February 25, 2009, 07:43:47 AM »

All of mine were pre-58.

I was playing in bands when I was too young to be in a bar, but quit too soon to really reach my potential, whatever that would have been. Back then a Yamaha was a motorcycle. Trumpets were either German, French or American if I remember right.

jmayton · « **Reply #38 on:** February 25, 2009, 08:08:13 AM »

Yeah, I'm not too much of a fan of a company that makes EVERYTHING...but, their quality is excellent and they don't produce any lemons. One Zeno plays, feels, and sounds exactly like another of the same model. I've been fortunate to have a couple of good horns in my life and play several other excellent ones. I prefer old horns, but if I had to buy a new one I'd probably go with the Yamaha or a Kanstul because they still seem to make them like the old companies.

DaveShooter · « **Reply #39 on:** February 28, 2009, 06:39:04 PM »

Quote from: gunblade on February 04, 2009, 02:30:39 PM

I'm a drummer...played all my life since about 12 yrs old. Currently gigging about once or twice a week...good pocket money.

I am a singer/songwritter or I use to be wrote 7 songs with one of the legends of rock. cut 2-1/2 albums in nash,tn.I retired from the post-office after maj surgery to my left ear. 4 of my songs in which I wrote or co-wrote are at Garage Band.Com or ilike.com under the band name of David Montana. I do and always will miss the music biz and studio's not to mention the friends i know or have known. I left the music biz to much politics like anything else in life. I have sang everything from opera to gospel country to rock and roll. One of my dearest friends just passed away last month Scotty Turner he wrote music with audie murphy, and buddy holly had 300 song-writers under him at one time out in LA. Maj artist have cut his material. Just a decent human being and friend.
DaveShooter

VARMONTER · « **Reply #40 on:** March 06, 2009, 04:01:11 AM »

I have been playing all my life. My father was a trumpet player(big band).I just inherited his trumpet.
For all you horn players out there it is a 1939 martin handcraft imperial.It is in excellent shape,
I don't play but am going to learn yet another instrument. I play guitar bass and mandolin.
In my 20's I Played on the same stage with Doc Watson earl Scruggs eddie Adcock ,peter rowan
Nitty gritty dirt band and such .Not bragging.. never could get used to the "road" thing.
So I moved to vermont in 79 .Been a local musician ever since.Played acoustic ,electric, bluegrass,Blues,
country,top 40 rock and roll I was even in a 50;s band for a while...Currently i do the acoustic duo sort of thing,You know 7-9 pm pack up and home.
Just not the 10 pm to closing sort of stuff anymore.
I own almost as many guitars as i do guns..

+1 on the musicians classifieds but lets not limit it to instruments.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #41 on:** March 06, 2009, 04:31:39 AM »

What part of Vermont are you in? I used to own some land in the Northeast Kingdom outside of Orleans in Brownington. Went to many great festivals up there and listened to some great homegrown music/musicians.

If I could ever have gotten used to the cold I would move back in a heartbeat.

GeorgiaDave · « **Reply #42 on:** March 17, 2009, 11:57:33 PM »

Greetings,

Music has been in my blood since birth. I played guitar, clarinet, and drums until high school when "distractions" took the place of music. Girls, dirt bikes, and fast cars were sooooo much fun. When I married and had kids, I never got back into music but my daughter has played piano for 5 years now and attends one of the finest performing arts schools in the nation. My son is a natural musician who specializes in the Violin(fiddle) and also plays guitar, harmonica, mandolin and drums. I have once again begun to play a bit of guitar, but my love is the drums. L O U D , H A R D , and F A S T. Recently bought the family a decent Maypex set that is really taking a beating. Some may say noise, but I hear beautiful melodious music. Good Luck and God Bless.

Dave

GH1 · « **Reply #43 on:** April 05, 2009, 07:48:43 AM »

I started playing the tuba in 5th grade and continued until I graduated High School. Five years later I bought my first Alto sax, a Beuscher from the '20's. I later bought a Yamaha 52 alto & tenor, and a Martin Bari with a low A. I played in community bands and a 9 piece funk band for about ten years before I switched to bass. I played that for another five years or so before illness made me give it up in '03. I've played with a few guys since then but nothing serious, I guess I just kinda lost interest. I can't get motivated to practice without being in a band and having a gig to prepare for. Maybe one day I'll get back into it again.

GH1

mtdotcomm · « **Reply #44 on:** April 24, 2009, 10:50:22 AM »

Quote from: zombiewolf on June 23, 2008, 04:47:14 PM

Blues-Rock-Jazz
Formal training since '68, played pro '74-'83...burned out. Now I only play for pleasure.
Guitar
Violin
Trumpet

Those "in the know" will guess my favorite composer/musician from my username!

Sounds like you were "Born to be Wild"... STEPPENWOLF!!!

catkiller · « **Reply #45 on:** April 25, 2009, 05:33:10 PM »

DEE, you wouldn't happen to know Suzy Lutsinger (Reba Mcintires' sister) would you?

spikehorn · « **Reply #46 on:** September 12, 2009, 01:40:53 PM »

Tried taking piano lessons when i was little but coudn't stick with them. Now i'm a self taught bass player. Love playing anything that has groove. Was in a couple bands that got signed to small labels and toured nationally and in europe. semi retired from music now it would have to be the right situation with the right people for me do to any kind of seriuos project these days, but i love to jamb!
PS overnight sensations is one of my favorite albums, shiek yurbooty is another

SteveHawaii · « **Reply #47 on:** September 12, 2009, 02:28:09 PM »

I've been playing guitar all my teen and adult life. Recently I picked up ukulele, which is real fun. I sing and play occasionally in a Hawaiian style band. Currently I'm the drama director at my church, so that's basically my outlet now. I did a lot of singing in choirs and even did some opera. I loved that. I almost made a profession out of dance, but decided instead for aviation maintenance. It's fun to do it all.

Steve

Sarge · « **Reply #48 on:** October 25, 2009, 12:11:21 PM »

I play the harmonica, guitar, bass and a little fiddle. the harmonica is my main instrument. I've been playing it for close to 52 years.

Dee · « **Reply #49 on:** October 25, 2009, 02:57:21 PM »

Quote from: catkiller on April 25, 2009, 05:33:10 PM

DEE, you wouldn't happen to know Suzy Lutsinger (Reba Mcintires' sister) would you?

Boy is this ever a late answer. I know of her, but don't know her. I think that's the one that used to have the husband trouble until one of Reba's proteges paid him a visit. He got right with the Lord after that. Is that the one your talkin about?

Star1pup · « **Reply #50 on:** August 29, 2010, 01:50:12 PM »

I hung up my trumpet 50 years ago, but now I bought a used Selmer Paris and am playing again. I was playing in small combos way back then, but I think these days DJs take most if not all of that business. I'm just doing it for fun and might like to play in a church band if I can find one around here.

Star1pup · « **Reply #51 on:** August 29, 2010, 01:56:34 PM »

Quote from: Star1pup on February 25, 2009, 04:30:04 AM

Maybe I'll start looking seriously for a horn, but might have to wait until Obama fixes my retirement funds. The best sounding trumpet I ever had was a Selmer.

I forgot I wrote this. To bring you up to date I bought a 1960 Selmer Paris in ebay and started taking lessons again back in the spring. It's been fun. Sometimes it's hard but at 73 I have more patience than at 20. Besides the majorettes are way too young for me now. At least my wife says so.

v-man · « **Reply #52 on:** August 29, 2010, 04:40:18 PM »

I almost embarrassed to talk about my self taught guitar skills having been around real musicians but I do strum a few chords on a nice Takamine and sing mostly lead in a group that plays in our church almost every week. I'm the Minister of music there so I get to prepare the programs and work our group into a lot of it to teach our largely traditional Baptist congregation to appreciate a blend of the old and the new. At 57 yrs old it seems odd that I'm the one driving this but it has helped us bring in a lot of younger couples and families that we were not reaching before. I admire all of you real musicians out there cause even with my limited skills it is such a blast to get up and perform a piece when it really means something to you.