In a professional career spanning more than half a century, Claude Gordon's most lasting contribution to music may well be his aerodynamically balanced trumpet. It is clearly the product of a long and varied career experience, in which he created
a full voiced trumpet that is not fatiguing to hold or play in the fast paced world of long rehearsals, concerts, and recording sessions.
Every professional wants a big, well centered sound at his command, especially over many hours of playing. And every student wants to develop faster and produce a quality sound, without strain. These are problems solved by the innovative Claude Gordon trumpet. That is why a serious musician who has to be ready to play anything at any time will want to play it on a instrument just like this.
Check these important features:
The ultra lightweight valve section has one piece casings, wafer thin top and bottom caps and finger tips, and gold anodized aluminum valve stems.
Precisely tapered .470 bore for expansive volume, tone and ease of playing.
Solid nickel silver leadpipe.
4 3/4" one piece hand hammered bell is graduated to extreme lightness and responsiveness.
Brass tuning slides and cork water key seals.
Top sprung non corroding Monel metal pistons hand lapped for precise fit for valve action that is fast, light and positive.
Quiet nylon two point valve guides.
Valve caps screw into, not onto, valve casings; vulnerable valve casing threads are inside, protected from damage.
The third valve slide has a fixed finger ring and an adjustable stop.
Clear laquer finish, nickel silver trim.
Refined bracing and trim help make this one of the most comfortable trumpets you have ever lifted to play. And at 27 ounces with mouthpiece, it is also among the lightest.
Comes in wood shell, vinyl covered case with leather trim and brass hardware.*
Registered: October 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 9
Review Date: 3/13/2006
Would you recommend the horn? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 7
Pros:
Lightweight, quick valves
Cons:
Bore Size
CG is very light and easy response but I found the bore to be a little large for me. I found I would tire quickly playing the horn. The sound is good but the core is not as solid as a Bach Strad or many other regular weight horns. There are a lot of horns out there that would be a better choice for most players.
Unregistered
Review Date: 12/10/2007
Would you recommend the horn? Yes |
Price you paid?: $500.00
| Rating: 7
Pros:
Response, slotting, and flexibility, very warm sound
Cons:
Lack of core in the sound limits projection, valves a little soggy
I am not familiar with the more recently manufactured ones. Mine was made in the Selmer/Bach factory and handpicked for me by Claude Gordon himself, serial #184.
I bought this horn in 1983 a week before my senior recital. The warmth in the sound and the big dark tone I got made me put my previous horn (A Getzen Severinsen model) in the case for good. Though billed as a lead horn, I found the large bore and the lack of a solid core found on heavier horns made it not the best horn for me in a big band section. It was great as a solo instrument, however. For a lead player with a large lung capacity it's a great horn--for a little runt like me, it only made the job more taxing up high.
Flexibility is great, however, and the high A really locks in and roars with the right mouthpiece. I still use it, but only as my second horn, having purchased a Bach LR180 in 1991. I would recommend it (if you can get one of the early '80s models with the serial number under 300) more for its collectible value and uniqueness than as a great all-around horn. Powerhouse lead players, especially Claude Gordon disciples, would love it.
Unregistered
Review Date: 5/1/2009
Would you recommend the horn? Yes |
Price you paid?: $900.00
| Rating: 8
Pros:
nice build, familiar quality
Cons:
I got this horn in a trade. It's a nice playing horn and built very similar to the bachs that it was built next to. I dig the horn's dark sound. I read that it was a brighter horn. not mine. Serial 187 on mine.
robert branco Junior Member
Registered: November 2008 Location: pleasanton Ca Posts: 3
Review Date: 5/13/2009
Would you recommend the horn? Yes |
Price you paid?: $300.00
| Rating: 9
Pros:
Large bore screamer up to Triple D
Cons:
Real thin bell dents easy / Mr. Kanstul made to sizzle a plus
My first two horns were used and this CG. Benge Trumpet was the first new horn I have ever owned paid $300.00 and just ordered it from Zepps in LA CA. October 1976 with out tested it.Thru out Collage this horn screamed Double G up to C no problem. It was hard to keep in tune up high .This was mostly me not all the horns fault.I play sharp..so had my repair guy Dick Akright the maker of the (Bel Canto) Severinsen /Akright trumpet Master of repair Oakland Ca.cut the bend at the 1st valve and make it a tuneable bell like the Schilke horns .(the same bell) This helped alot.This was around 1980 Only draw back Zig had these bell made real thin and dented easy but you got an awesome sound .Mr.Kanstul was at that time running Benge and making it one of the best horn company around along with Bach Trumpets. I sold it for $500.00 in 1994.This horn did sit in my closet for about 10 years after collage and During my marriage when I sold it I bought one of Mr. Akright/Severinsen 59 Greg Adams Bel canto trumpet in 1994.These GC early horns are hard to find in great shape but this was the top horn back in the Seventies.If you have the lungs you will like.
If you have the lungs you will like.