Quoto dal forum TrumpetMaster.com (? un botta e risposta tra due utenti)
Originally Posted by Robert Rowe
Incorrect.
The Imperial became an intermediate model, subsequent to the introduction of the Committee.
The Indiana was designated as the student model, although (in my opinion, as well as many Committee owner/players) the Indiana is now considered a finer horn, in respect to tone and playability than the Imperial. I, and many others, use an Indiana as a "back-up" and "rehearsal"-horn.
The Imperial is "flashed-out" with much nickel trim and adornments, making it appear to be "fancy".
None-the-less, the Imperial is a fine horn; ... one could do worse than to play a later-day Imperial (Trumpet, Cornet or Fluegelhorn). I have several of each.
Robt
I've got a right to be wrong, but, I disagree. The Handcraft Imperial in every aspect was a top end, detailed, quality horn. The ones I have owned were very much like the early Handcraft Committees I've had. They both play dark and fat, almost flugel/cornet like. More so than the later Committee Model. After the Handcraft Committee was introduced in the very late 30s, the Handcraft Imperial was discontinued and the Imperial was introduced. Perhaps this was in the very early 40s, but the ones I have seen were all late 40s or perhaps 50s and beyond. They may not have been designated as student horns. The Indiana may have gotten that title. I'm not sure. However the two that I have owned did not compare with the earlier Handcraft Imperial, the Committee or some other student level trumpets of the day that I have also owned. Two that come to mind are the mighty 40s and 50s Olds Ambassadors or, a horn I think is underated, the 40s-50s Blessing Standard. I never felt the later Imperials held up and the ones from the 60s were even less worthy. The bell taper accounted for a distinctly non-Committee sound and the valve block was different. There also may have been a totally different design in the bore configuration. The handcraft Imperial, HC Committee and Committee Model were, to varying degrees, step bore design, helping to create the dark, cornet like sound. Not sure that the step bore was carried over to the later Imperial. Anywy all this is just my opinion based on what I saw and how I thought they played, but I stand with it.
I have not owned or played an Indiana. I have read they mimick the Committee sound, perhaps due to a similar bell flare. Don't know.
Pare quindi che il bisticcio derivi dal fatto che ci sono diversi periodi in cui sono stati prodotti questi strumenti e negli ultimi anni le Imperial sono DIVENUTE delle Student mentre in principio erano il "Top End" (il massimo) della gamma Martin.
