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About Mike Pawul
Expertise
I am familiar with most trumpets, cornets, and flugelhorns. I can answer most questions about playing and musicality. Best of all, if I can't answer it directly I play regularly in five bands and have several "old timers" that are familiar with most things that I am not. I collect, repair, and refinish old horns and have sold over 350 with more than 230 on ebay
Experience
I have played since 1965 and studied with many directors and trumpeters. I have been collecting since 2002 and have over 150 horns in my personal collection. I have done repair and refinsh since 2003 and have done over 500 horns.
Organizations
Kosair Shrine Brass Band and Dance Band, The Notables, The Mello Tones, Bourbon City Brass Band,
River Cities Concert Band,
University of Louisville Community Band,
Member of Trumpet Players International Network (TPIN),
Bugles Across America (BAA),
Education/Credentials
I played at Brunswick High School. I played through college and have a BS in Business Administration from Trinity College.
Awards and Honors
Without being vain, numerous awards and have played in several honor bands.
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You are here: Experts > Music/Performing Arts > Musical Instruments > Trumpet > Selmer C
Expert: Mike Pawul - 10/31/2009
Question
QUESTION: Hi Mike,
Previously asked you about various C trumpets. Sold my Blessing B152 as I need an upgrade in intonation. At this point my need is for quintet/ensemble work. Playing in a symphonic band which is all Bb, but not doing any orchestral playing right now so holding off on a new Strad C. I also have an opportunity to lay down a couple tracks in a recording studio and would prefer using a C. Came across a Selmer C700 tuning bell trumpet from 1978. Photos look excellent. Lacquer is said to be 98-99%. I'm getting this from a fellow BAA bugler so I trust him. He's even sending it to me for inspection/test playing before I pay! Any opinions/info on it? He says it has the valve staining common of Selmer monel valves of the period. As I recall Yamaha and maybe even Schilke experienced that problem in that era. I have been successful in the past using Blitz cloths on cheaper horns valves (all of which I have gotten rid of). Would this work on the Selmer valves? I am told they operate smoothly and fast with excellent compression.
One more...as I regularly practice on several horns (2 Bb tumpets, a flugelhorn, cornet and of course my E3L it was suggested by a top notch tech that I use Blue Juice as it helps prevent mold etc. I had always used Al Cass and experimented with Ultra Pure but what do you think?
Thanks again for your wonderful insight. By the way...how does one post a follow-up question? I wanted to do it in the past and couldn't figure out how.
Incidently...love my new Bach 180s72 and Schilke E3L. Wonderful horns.
Thanks!
Brad Hersch
Pennsylvania Assistant State Director
Bugles Across America
ANSWER: Hi again Brad, I am not sure how to ask a follow up question since I haven't done it but I think there is a block at the bottom of the answer that allows you to ask a follow up or revise your original question. Otherwise you can just ask another question and reference it to a past one. Sorry I am not much help with that!
The Selmer should be a very good horn. The tuning bell has a solid operation and they sound great. The valves can be wiped with the Blitz cloth since it doesn't really leave a residue to gum up the valves. If you take CLR (with the bathroom cleaners at most stores) and dilute it about 8 to one with water you can soak the valves. Use hot water and only put the valve itself in it. Don't soak the felts or corks. Leave it about 30 minutes and the stains should loosen where you can scrub them off with a toothbrush. It doesn't always work so try it and see. Some valve oils leave a lot of residue that stain. Plus some people have a lot of acid in their saliva that mix with the valve oil and cause stains.
I like Blue Juice and use it on some of my horns. I also use Al Cass and on some of my tighter Monel valves I use Binak. As long as you are keeping the horns clean mold shouldn't be a problem. However, if you are like most, horns can be played for several months before getting cleaned. So in that respect the Blue Juice helps. I usually find mold is a larger problem with horns in warmer months and damp climates. So PA in the fall and winter shouldn't be a problem!
On a side note, how would you compare your Bach 72 with a 37? I have thought about getting a 72 but really like the 37 sound. So give me your expert opinion.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hey Mike. I have the Selmer in my hands no for inspection. I suspect the valves aren't just stained but the plating is badly worn. Can't really tell for sure. The first valve is sluggish on the way up. Feels ok just sitting there operating the valves...but when playing fast passages it just can't keep up with me. Tried Blitz cloth on piston only and it didn't help. I may take the horn out to brass guru Ted Woehr in the morning for inspection before I decide. Hard to decide on quality of sound with this nagging valve problem. By the way, I do keep my horns very clean but I rotate between several so thought the blue juice might help. Unless you think I should stick with Hetman or UltraPure since they seem to last longer. Now for my new purchase: when I chose my 72 over the 37 I did a blind test with them along with a 43. I spent about 3 total hours play testing 5 horns. I also considered a Schilke S32 and B5. I just loved the "in your face" sound and tone quality of the 72 and the way it responded to me. I had a pro and my wife judge me and they chose the 72 sound. They also chose this without knowing which model I was playing. The Schilke's had an advantage with fit and finish (love my new E3L) but they couldn't handle the dynamics I wanted like any of the Bachs...especially the 72. Plus I graduated High School in '72 so that's cool. Just shipped my 1971 model 43 to John again. Great job plating the horn in silver and gold but still having nagging valve problems since he replated them. If this Selmer doesn't work out I'm going to audition new Bach model 229-25H and Chicago models. Volkwein in Pittsburgh now has a few of each in stock. Should be a fun test.
thanks again
Brad Hersch
Pennsylvania Assistant State Director
Bugles Across America
Answer
Hey Brad, Thanks for the info on the 72. Selmer has a reputation for worn valves on their older horns. But they can be redone. Hopefully John laps the valves again and that solves the problem with your 43. I have found that I sometimes have to lap mine several times as they break in again.
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