[Dixielandjazz] Bix

[Don Ingle]

Bix did play a Conn Victor -- but that horn is a piston valve,  not 
rotary valve, cornet. I know, I play one now and started out on cornet 
when I was12 (after hearing some Bix solos), saying to hell with this 
clarinet I was playing,  on a Conn Victor. Very large bore .(.486) horn 
to begin with. If you have the wind and the chops it will take whatver 
you give it with a big centered sound.
Bix later played Bach cornets -- had two made for him, one of which I 
was honored to play once as was Randy Rhinehart who was one the same gig 
with me. Worked for him, but I prefer the Victor above my other two 
cornets and  trumpet.
Don't know what cup size Bix played, but it was well-told story that 
Jimmy McPArtland used to hand out cornet mouthpieces and tell people 
that it was once one of Bix's. Based on that, there must be a few dozens 
"Bix" moutpieces out there with ownere that swear they are the real 
goods. Jimmy was, afte all an Irishman and the pixie was never far away.
Don Ingle
Mike wrote:
> I've read that Bix played on the old Conn Victor rotary cornets with a 
> mouthpiece with a deep cup. I think a sound a player produces comes 
> from how their mouth is constructed and less to do with equipment. 
> I've seen people spend thousands on new horns and mouthpieces to sound 
> like Bix, Miles or Lee Morgan.
>
> Mike
>
>
>
>
> On 07/27/07, Dan Ostler <dan_ostler at hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > >but does it really give one an idea why Bix has
> > >been so idolized by his generation?  So far, I have not yet heard a CD
> > >(including "Bixology") on which that elusive "silver tone" quality of
> > >his was reproduced (it is even on my old reel-to-reel tapes made from
> > >LPs)
> >
> > That has me wondering as well. As a trumpet player, I have chased 
> this up
> > and down, including buying similar horns, and never come across 
> anything to
> > substantiate the legend.  Nice sound? yes. Terrific sound? not 
> really...
> >
> > Dan Ostler
> >
> > www.kemble.ca
> > www.stargazing.ca
> > www.centenairs.com
>
>