Matt Roberts Music

26 comments so far, add your own below

• March 21 2008 at 7:14 am charlton

  

  Is that the Taylor Trumpet that you played? I would probably shy away from them if I saw that picture for the first time. Did you try any of the other models? I own a Taylor Trumpet and I don’t quite get the same “drive” out of it as you described. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I respect that, but I was just wondering if the trumpet that you have pictured is the one that you played, or just the most radical looking one that you could put up for all to see and sinc with your comments. The Taylor that I own looks pretty normal and I like it. I’m not trying to start a debate on it, but I was just wondering. Did you buy the Monette?

  Reply
• March 21 2008 at 10:51 am Matt

  

  I’ll be honest with you Charlton. That isn’t the model I tried out. Actually the model I played resemble yours (with the brass and silver theme) but with rose brass and a darker metal thrown into the mix.

  The above picture is to convey the visual difference of a more unique property that both manufactures use (i.e. the webing effect).

  I would quite happily have chosen any other Taylor trumpet to emphasize the point I was making but that was clearly the best choice – you must agree.

  And don’t worry about starting a debate. Everyone is entitled to their opinion as you quite rightly pointed out and I’m happy to discuss my thoughts in more detail, not to sway anyone from their choices but to give a separate perspective.

  In answer to your question I bought my Calicchio trumpet (which I have reviewed on the site) and couldn’t be happier. I do plan to get a Monette at some point later in my career but feel that I should earn that trumpet first.

  I know that Monette Vs Taylor is a hot button topic but I stand by everything in this post and recommend that you try a Monette some time.

  Even if it’s to prove to yourself that you have the right horn for you. I think you’d be pleasantly surprised.

  All the best.

  Reply
• March 22 2008 at 9:58 am charlton

  

  Thank you for answering. Most of the people that I have seen and/or read about on the internet with a website AND an opinion never write a response to someone else’s. I have played on a Monette as well and it was great! It wasn’t exactly my choice of mouthpiece size, but it was still a very good experience. I have never played on a Calicchio, but I have heard great things about them.

  by the way…I enjoyed the video clip.
  CS

  Reply
• March 22 2008 at 8:40 pm Matt

  

  Thanks for your input Carlton.

  I hope that you keep an eye on my site, comments are more than welcome. I’ve got a few things that will be up later this year including a podcast and a video documentary on my tour of Europe (See The Quarter Tones Page).

  Take care buddy.

  I’m glad you enjoyed the clip!!

  Reply
• October 19 2008 at 10:39 pm sam

  

  ive just read your review on the taylor trumpet.all i can say is was you awake when you tried the trumpet.
  the taylor is a very free blowing horn and when it it pushed to its max volume it dosent break up like monette’s do.
  the whole point of a taylor is to stand out from the crowd.it can play at any volume and sound great.
  taylor trumpets are one of the only companies in the world that can make a trumpet or brass instrument any way you want it,fully customized, they can make the bell any shape,all the tuning slides any shape, make the stay’s any design you desire.have you seen the phat boy flugal?.they also do the standard model (i noticed that you didnt put a picture up of the standard,(i wonder why). i myself own a taylor 46 custom and its great,in fact its the best free blowing trumpet i have ever played.

  i feel your review is wrong im more ways than one. how can some one make a review after playing one model of trumpet and then say that all there trumpets are no good.

  i think its a case of you didnt find the one for you.

  trust me go and try all the models and then make the review.
  im 100% sure you will think different.

  Reply
• October 20 2008 at 12:22 pm Matt

  

  Hey Sam,

  Thanks for your comment. Let me start by apologizing for the 6 or 7 discussions that were lost during my sites face lift. I’m currently going through old emails to try and restore them. I’ll try and restate some of the points I made in those lost comments.

  First off I can assure you that I was completely awake when trying this trumpet It was truly terrible. I did however concede two points:

  1) Perhaps it was just a particularly bad model and therefore it is a little harsh to judge MY personal playing experience when trying a trumpet simply once.

  2) Addressing a later point. I did post a picture of a more extreme model of Taylor to overemphasis my point .

  I’m glad that so many people have commented on this post.

  Although I am not a fan of the trumpet itself I am happy to see musicians stick up for their instruments and to discuss their thoughts.

  I have to disagree with you over your “max volume” comment. I found that the Monette trumpets I’ve played have a constant and beautiful sound as the volume increases. I’d be interested to know if that was based on a personal experience or something that you read?

  I’d like to say that my Taylor issues stem not only from the instrument but with the musicians themselves. Stick with me – this ISN’T an attack. When growing up all the Taylor musicians I met were all talk and no talent. I’ve yet to personally meet a Taylor trumpet player who doesn’t get my back up.

  However, since chatting with some of the Taylor players on this post (mostly from USA) they seem nice enough guys and I’ve heard some sound clips from their own sites and they sound alright. It’s perhaps an unfortunate coincidence I keep on meeting these idiotic players as I have an open mind and it’s taken a considerable amount of reinforcing to make me dislike this particular make of trumpet.

  As far as fully customizable instruments go; I think it’s a bit of a fad. Unless you’re making calculated customizations and have done your homework it makes the trumpet more about the look than the sound.

  Perhaps this is why the players I’ve experienced clearly spent more time picking out the most obscene thing they can do with a trumpet rather than working hard at their craft to get the attention and recognition they want. It’s simply a short cut to nowhere. You can make the trumpet what ever shape you like but in the end it’s the player that makes it great.

  Perhaps this is why Taylor gets an unfair rap? There seem to be those who find them to be personally a good trumpets and those who take advantage of the custom ability for attention.

  The guys who post strike me as those who play a Taylor because it works for them (rather than the latter) and want to stand up for their trumpet. Would you let me know more about your 46 custom. What are the customizations you’ve had (if any) and why?

  Thanks again for your comment buddy

  Reply
• October 20 2008 at 8:55 pm sam

  

  Hi there,

  To reply to the above.
  I think its my personal experience, Ive tried a couple monette trumpets and my custom seems much free blowing at all volumes.i don’t know if its just me having a very good Taylor custom or if they all blow the same way.as you know they are hand made and everyone will be a little bit different.
  I also think the weight of the Taylor trumpet helps with the sound to.

  I’m glad that you said ” my Taylor issues stem not only from the instrument but with the musicians themselves.”
  I’m surprised some one can write a review with the title “THE WORST TRUMPET IN THE WORLD” after only playing one of the types of trumpets and then commentating on issues with Taylor musicians.
  Also its a bit misleading when you talking about one model and then you put up a picture of a different model.(don’t you think).

  i own a custom and it has a heavy red brass bell( to give it a more deeper sound) and custom stay’s with bigger top and bottom caps. i didn’t go for the strange looking one’s they have on offer,this is because my band would think im mad . but in saying that i have tried the phat boy flugal and the valcan custom. all i can say is WOW.

  if you look on there site there’s a review about the valcan and everyone said it can not be made and wouldnt play.
  i have tried this and it playes/ sounds amazing.

  im glad that there is a company that pushes the boat out once in a while and takes the risk of making something different,and even better still, plays in tune.i dont see many other company taking that risk,i do not know if its because the other company have trouble making a trumpet a different shape and look and it still plays in tune.

  i have not played the Taylor phoenix (the trumpet that you have a photo of) so i can not comment on that model.

  you might be correct with that model but over all Taylor trumpets play great very free blowing and i think much better value for money than monette,(but that’s what i think,not every one is the same).
  thank you for your time.
  all the best SAM turner.

  Reply
• October 20 2008 at 11:05 pm John Mayfield

  

  Here are the facts. Andy Taylor set out to copy Dave Monette after seeing Dave’s heavier horns. Andy’s business plan was simply to sell as many of his trumpets as he could to people who could never afford a Monette.

  Taylor trumpets are aimed at the player who wants people to think they are playing a Monette.

  I don’t play a Monette and I’ve never played one. I play a Callet Jazz with an original Callet Magnum mouthpiece. But I’ve played plenty of Taylors and every single one had the most unbelievably bad intonation.

  Matt, it’s nice to see someone whose got the balls to tell it like it is. You’re spot on about the Taylor players! Never met one yet who could blow their way out of a paper bag!

  Reply
• October 21 2008 at 1:34 pm Matt

  

  Lol!! Thanks for your comment John. What can I say about that comment!? Genius
  As for Callet my first decent trumpet was a Jerome Callet soloist and it’s a fantastic horn!!

  Reply
• October 21 2008 at 2:26 pm Matt

  

  Thanks for writing back Sam,

  I think I’m safe with the title of my post as it’s still my opinion that Taylors are the weakest trumpet manufactures out there – having said that the next time I’m able to I’ll happily give it another shot. It’s only fair.

  I agree that well made hand crafted trumpets are far superior to factory built cloned trumpets. However a good hand made trumpet manufacturer will create consistently good quality trumpets which although they may differ in slight characteristics are similar in their high quality.

  Another things that puts me off the taylor trumpets are their lego-like characteristics. It’s alright saying “we’ll put on a special bell here” and “weighted caps there” to cater for what their clients want but in my opinion there needs to be a sense of balance to a trumpet. Each part effects the other and work in harmony together. I think the saying:

  “A Vulcan is A Trumpet designed by Taylor”
  isn’t too far from
  “A Camel is a Horse designed by committee”

  Trumpets are designed and tested before their release to find their ultimate potential. Banging on different metals and weights here and there will effect the tuning, the intonation and tone (to name a few features).

  If your Taylor works for you after those customizations I think you are very lucky.

  The fact is the last time I checked (which granted was a few months ago) Monette had a waiting list of at least 6 months for their trumpets to be made to spec.

  From experience with my friend I know the process is painstaking so that they can deliver you a top quality trumpet that performs to a high level for the player it was made for. This is because they make a trumpet. They don’t just bang parts together and call it one.

  I’ve just looked on the site and seen the Vulcan and Phat Boy…
  Sam, don’t take this the wrong way as you seem like a nice chap but did you say WOW before or after you threw up. These trumpets look terrible!!

  Vulcan
  You can’t seriously tell me that this trumpet blows freely or is even in tune with a lead pipe at a 45 degree angle. Surely this trumpet by itself supports what I’ve been be saying? I think using the flaming trumpet in my post was kind now I’ve seen this sci-fi reject. Sweet mother of god!!!

  The Phat Boy Flugel
  It looks like someone has reversed over their gig bag in a car. If these where truly ground breaking designs wouldn’t the bigger manufacturers be doing similar things. More than likely by taking a lump hammer to their stock

  I think I was going soft on Taylor looking back at some of my responses now I’ve seen their website again. How can you say with a straight face that either of these are a good horns?? I’m all for experimentation with instruments but when it goes wrong; bin it. Don’t sell it!!

  The site looks like some normal looking trumpets surrounded by freak “instruments”.

  Really Sam. I can understand not agreeing with me over Monette because of personal taste but how can you write that about the Phat Boy and Vulcan??

  Reply
• October 22 2008 at 11:07 pm sam

  

  It sounds like you have made your mind up after playing 1 trumpet.

  All ive got to say is ,
  have you tried the phat boy, no so how can you comment on it
  have you tried the vulcan,no so how can you comment.

  You sound like most people when they see that the bells look different and say how can that be free blowing?.

  Even i was shocked.

  I can tell you that if the length and bore is the correct size and the correct taper it will play just fine.

  If you think about it on the slides there are very tight bends and the air go’s around them just fine.no problems at all.

  For your sake please contact people who own a phat boy or have player one and ask them what they are like. don’t take my word for it.

  Or even better try one your self.

  If you don’t like the look of them and in your works call the sci-fi rejects then that’s up to you. not everyone likes the look of them.

  1 more thing, to comment on this,
  The Phat Boy Flugel
  It looks like someone has reversed over their gig bag in a car. If these where truly ground breaking designs wouldn’t the bigger manufacturers be doing similar things. More than likely by taking a lump hammer to their stock

  The bigger manufacturers wont make anything out of the ordinary. why?. because simply they can not do it.
  If you was to ask them to make you something that is not on there menu they would show you the door very fast because they wouldnt be able to get it to play in tune.

  Thank you for taking the time to wright back,
  i think were safe saying that you dont like them because of there looks,
  nice talking to you
  sam

  Reply
• October 22 2008 at 11:42 pm Matt

  

  Hey buddy,

  I think it’s safe to say that there are more than a few reasons that I’m not a fan I’m quite happy to say I’ve only played one myself as there’s no point in lying and saying that I’ve tried every single one and they are all rubbish. I stand by the impression I get from the products from playing, their look, their sound and the standard of musicians I’ve met who play them.

  I can see we’re going to have to agree to disagree and I’m sure that anyone reading will come down on one side or the other.
  It was a good discussion and I hope you’ll find something else I write about to be of interest to you (you never know, we might even agree on something)

  Take it easy Sam

  Reply
• October 27 2008 at 4:14 pm John Mayfield

  

  For the love of God, that Vulcan thing has one purpose – to persuade gullible “look at me” style trumpet players to part with cash. Put one of those in the hands of a real pro (a REAL pro, not one of the countless wannabes who make up Taylor’s client roster) and it will be laughed at and discarded without a second thought. Even the name gives it away, it’s designed from the ground up to be an ego trumpet. I bet his next trumpet will be called “Vader” or “Violator” or something else ridiculous. The Vader would be jet black with a special airy sound and the Violator would probably come with some sort of protrusion attached to scare off other trumpet players.

  Search around on google and you’ll find some bloke who makes trumpets that look like Star Trek ships. The difference between him and Taylor is that he knows and admits that he’s making purely cosmetic novelty toys.

  I can see it now. Some wannabe pro walking into the studio saying “Dude, I just picked up one of those new Taylor Violator horns, man, I can like totally blow anyone away, like dude, man, I totally rule, man listen to me, listen to me, listen to my new horn, I am like totally there man.”

  It’s the truth. I’ve had to work with some of these clowns and it’s not cool. Intonation so far out that it knocks the whole section out of kilter. Try playing lead when you’ve got some nimrod playing a Taylor on third or fourth (Taylor players don’t get second or lead for obvious reasons) and you’ll see what I mean.

  Taylor trumpets – the choice of the wannabe.

  Reply
• November 4 2008 at 11:50 am Robert Nessfield

  

  Nice one John!!

  I completely agree. Taylor are nothing but a poor imitation of the Monette brand with nothing to offer but a poor sound and frankly, an embarrassing look. Who in their right mind would buy one of these trumpets??

  Great Post Matt

  Reply
• November 4 2008 at 11:55 am Matt

  

  Thanks for your comments guys.

  It pretty much sums up my experience with Taylor Trumpets.

  Reply
• October 31 2009 at 9:13 pm brian jones

  

  Matt and John Mayfield.

  Some strong opinions there! About the people who play Taylors though, you say “I’d like to say that my Taylor issues stem not only from the instrument but with the musicians themselves. Stick with me – this ISN’T an attack. When growing up all the Taylor musicians I met were all talk and no talent. I’ve yet to personally meet a Taylor trumpet player who doesn’t get my back up.”

  and

  “You’re spot on about the Taylor players! Never met one yet who could blow their way out of a paper bag!”

  I’ve heard of some guys like Jason McDermid (Jools Holland) who play Taylors and can obviously play a bit! Also I’ve done some playing with Claude Deppa. He plays a Taylor and he can certainly as you put it “play his way out of a paper bag.”

  Also the lovely flugel that Taylor produced in the 1990′s (I think it’s now the standard model), was designed with input from Eddie Severn, who can certainly play – at that time he used a Taylor trumpet and flugel although I know he later went on to Yamaha Shews and Edwards trumpets and an old Couesnon flugel since. I know you regard him quite highly as you list him as an important influence on you.

  btw – this isn’t a man defending his own hooter, my Bb’s are a Calicchio R32ML and a Medium bore Bach 38. But there are some folk playing Taylor trumpets out there that can clearly blow.

  Reply
• November 1 2009 at 9:08 am Matt

  

  Hey Brian,

  There are further discussions on a more recent post which you can find off the home page. I’ve addressed this comment there. Thanks!!!

  Reply
• November 1 2009 at 10:10 am Ben Greteaux

  

  Matt,
  I loved your review!! I think a lot of these guys take themselves far too seriously. It’s clear you were having a bit of fun with what you thought about this trumpet manufacturer and now a lot of these players AND the MANUFACTURER THEMSELVES (which I love by the way) are being far too precious!

  Just have a laugh at yourselves guys!!! Matt’s just had a bit of fun and since then has had the good grace to correct/ clarify himself/ say sorry for offending anyone with the controversial post, whilst still standing by his principles.

  So CHILL OUT GUYS!! Life’s too short. It’s all a bit of fun
  xx

  Reply
• November 4 2009 at 2:09 pm Matt

  

  Thanks Ben,

  That’s very kind. I’m glad you understood the spirit of the post. I’m really happy that I got the chance to discuss thoughts with Andy Taylor so I enjoyed that part too. He seems like a nice enough bloke – Enough for me to give the horns another chance when I get one to re-examine my current opinion.

  You hit the nail on the head with this comment so thanks man!!!

  Reply
• November 10 2009 at 9:00 pm John Mayfield

  

  This is hilarious, it really is.

  The Taylor guys need to little sleep, have a think about what they are doing, and then wake up and smell the damn coffee.

  Matt doesn’t need to say sorry to anyone. The fact that the Taylor morons have got their panties in such a bunch makes it plain for all to see that Mass has, very successfully, touched a raw nerve.

  And I bet the traffic is rolling in, all because of the stupid Taylor fanboys who are running around like headless chickens telling everyone how upset they are that someone has burst their little bubble.

  Taylor boys, get real, get a life, and then, if you can manage to do enough gigs to afford it (yeah, like that’s going to happen), get a horn that isn’t a a cheap copy of something else.

  Reply
• November 10 2009 at 9:08 pm Jules Tollivier

  

  Congratulations Matt. You’ve managed to upset a bunch of little boys who are a little too attached to their toys.

  Like you I tried a Taylor – I tried a number of Taylors – they all sucked. Didn’t slot, terrible intonation and generally crap workmanship.

  The problem with Andy Taylor and his fanboy mafia is that they spend all their time in internet forums (and playing Dungeons and Dragons in their parents basement) and don’t get any real gigs. They trade in their Bach strads (which also suck, and suck hard) for something that feels like a Bach (stuffy) but looks, in their opinion, cooler.

  It should come as no surprise that Taylor names his trumpets with stupid fanboy names like Vulcan. He’s appealing to the dork mentality and it works.

  Just brush it off dude and enjoy the traffic that all the trumpet playing elves and orcs and dungeon masters are bringing you from their sad little forums.

  Reply
• December 5 2009 at 12:49 am John Baumchen

  

  I think you are being a tad harsh. First I do not doubt that their are plenty of guys with more money then talent! You see this in every field from Amateur Radio Operators to Trumpets! You also have the Hyper Elitist that cannot accept any thing different from what they consider the norm or the proper sound concept of the trumpet!In either case both extremes are not what is best for the trumpet world at large.

  I have not played any Taylor trumpets but have heard plenty of them being played as well as his Flugel at clubs in Detroit,Chicago and New York.their are plenty that play his gear and make it sound good!

  If we really wanted to attack a company I think Conn/Selmer/Bach/Steinway should get attacked hard. They have been passing off junk since Vincent Bach died and demanding top prices for their junk convincing young students and band teachers across the world that they are the choice of true proffessionals.their is about as much in common with todays Bach Strad’s and the models that made them popular as their is between the Fords Model T and todays Ford Taurus. So spread some of that hate and animosity around their are plenty of let downs in the trumpet world!

  I think one thing you have to take into account is who plays various brands. For instance most Bach Strad’s are played by High School kids and amateur players so not all of the bad sounds I hear coming from Bach Strad’s are the instruments fault!

  I find it hard to believe that anyone that can build a French horn would have issues with a trumpet. By comparison a trumpet is easier to design and get right then a double French Horn.

  In order for his intonation to be so far off he would have to have some serious issues with his leadpipes. He does not build the valve assembly so the valves 1st,2nd and 3rd, slides come with the valve assembly that makes up 50% of the trumpet. All he is doing is adding his bell,leadpipe and main tuning slide and finger rings. When one looks at all the bell and leadpipes to date that have graced trumpets it is not that hard to get it right. I mean to say if their was not a lot of room for error we would all be playing the same trumpet with the same bell and leadpipe profiles but that is not the case. So I would imagine tweaking the intonation would be simple and why would he let such a trumpet out of the shop?

  With reguard to Monette he isn ot some trumpet genius. He made some good observations and did a lot of trial and error work and found what worked for him! His first trumpets where modifications to existing trumpets.One of his firsts was a Conn Doc Seversion that is currently for sale as a new instrument not having been sold ever it was a prototype.It had Monettes Leadpipe, round tuning slide and I think one of his early bells. Not everyone likes his trumpets or their price.

  Their will always be a critic to any brand and a group of groupies! Until trumpet players have a really reliable magazine that will do hard core scientific testing and comparison of brands we will never have the truth!I can get specifications for everything on a modern day Corvette but try to get the specifications of one leadpipe to compare to another! All you get is a bunch of marketing mumbo jumbo and a meaningless description like “slightly darker then XX leadpipe but more free blowing”…..Lets not tell me too much I would hate to make an informed decision. Instead we get “That’s propitiatory” like we all sitting in our basements trying to make Monette clones and cut out Dave!Like any large instrument manufacture could not buy one and reverse engineer it?

  As to intonation issues anyone here try out 5 different Bach C trumpets?

  Until I can try a Monette and Taylor back to back I will have to take you at your word as to what you experienced. I wounder though how it is that their collaboration model would make it out the door! They had to team up with a major manufacture and you would think they would want to fix any intonation issues!

  Reply
• January 6 2010 at 7:27 pm Bozzer

  

  Hi Matt
  I love your jive baby. I don’t play a Tatler trumpet but used to.I switched back to a Vinny Bach.I’m pretty hot on the horn though man and blew my Tatler like a sweeeet potaaaaaaayyyto.I dig your rap about Tatlet players though. I can think of a few who are just pure puke mops man.

  Dig that baby

  Reply
• March 24 2012 at 9:29 am Milo

  

  Love this thread, in a few more post Godwins law will be complete.

  I’m off to replace my 28 year old Yamaha 6340, honestly, I don’t care what it looks like, I only care what it sounds like. If an extra fin here and there gives you “that sound” you desire then go right ahead.

  Someone was mentioning intonation on Taylors, this is usually down to the player not understanding the horn. It takes months to understand intonation in a new horn. No horn is perfect, however if the player uses his/her ears, and some time, you can get pretty close.

  So I will probably try a Taylor, also a Stomvi, Yamaha xeno etc and if the horn makes a the “sound” I want. I’ll get it.

  Hopefully it won’t be a replica of the Starship Enterprise.

  Reply
  • April 15 2012 at 10:06 pm Matt

    

    Thanks Milo,

    In my opinion a well balanced and spot on view to take. I hope you find the horn that can help you discover the sound that you’re after.