Introduction:
In the early 1970s the BBC television science programme ‘Tomorrow’s World’ told us that by the turn of the 21st century we would be all commuting to work in driverless cars and enjoying the benefits of nuclear energy so cheap that electricity bills would be a thing of the past.
Sometimes things don’t quite work out the way the scientific boffins think they would.
It could well be the same story with plastic ‘brass’ instruments.
Huge hit
It all began with the brilliantly innovative p-bone trombone - aided by cleverly targeted PR that resulted in huge worldwide sales and happy smiles on the faces of thousands of kids as they learned to play a musical instrument that was essentially an expertly engineered bit of plastic plumbing.
It’s been a huge hit - and deservedly so; resulting in other makers (and a few blatant rip-offs) also entering the market place.
However, problems have arisen in trying to extend the plastic revolution - especially in mastering the more complex engineering of valved instruments.
The first generation of plastic trumpets was pretty dire; more hit and miss than the Australian cricket team.
Put under any sort of testing scrutiny, they simply failed to live up to their hype: Fun for a short while; but all too flimsy, untuneful and not worth the asking price.
Stick of rhubarb
Even the glossy endorsement of star players (although as relevant as Don Bradman demonstrating the off-drive to kids with a stick of rhubarb in his hands) couldn’t hide the fact that they were some considerable way off getting things right.
The manufacturers have been playing technological catch-up ever since, with significant improvements being made (exploring hybrid plastic/metal designs) and with some makers ambitiously extending their ranges to incorporate the euphonium and tuba.
However, most people still see their future as either throwaway beginner instruments or novelty curios.
If things are to change then, the Tromba Bb cornet has a lot to do to make a lasting impression in more ways than one.
Background:
The Tromba brand is a successful offshoot of a leading plastic injection moulding design and production company based in China that has some clever chappies involved with considerable experience in instrument development and design.
The company also produces a tenor trombone, a unique double slide trombone and both a Bb and C trumpet (with a flugel rumoured to be on the horizon). All have made their mark worldwide - so little wonder we now have the Tromba cornet which utilises the same technological developments.
It’s aimed at giving young players an instrument that combines solid playing characteristics with equally solid build quality; one that will more than last the demanding course of early playing development when youthful patience and initial enthusiasm can quickly wear thin.
The Tromba is not intended to end up broken, given away to the nearest charity shop or seized up under the stairs six months after it was purchased.
It’s also a very welcome ‘alternative’ to the ubiquitous drive to get everyone to become the next Wynton Marsalis or Bill Watrous.
However, the world has enough wannabe trumpet and trombone players already: What we desperately need are more Jim Shepherds and Philip McCanns.
We asked our friends at Band Supplies to lend us a Tromba Cornet for a few weeks, and also persuaded a few of our cornet playing friends to put it to the test.
As always we looked at our four main areas: Build Quality/Design; Intonation; Ease of blowing/Tone, and Overall Performance/Value for money.
Our overall star rating will be given at the end:
: Sub standard quality and characteristics in all four areas
: Average standard quality and characteristics in all four areas
: A mix of average and good standard quality and characteristics in all four areas
: Very good standard quality and characteristics in all four areas
: Exceptional standard quality and characteristics in all four areas
Build Quality/Design:
Funky as well as practical: Whoever designed the Tromba certainly knows their cornet stuff.
The compact layout is nothing revolutionary, but does have some neatly thought out ideas: For instance - as the first tuning slide comes out of the right side of the valve block, the main tuning slide is kinked at an angle to allow both to be moved with ease.
The knock on effect is that it frees up space for even the smallest of hands to grip the valve block with ease.
The slides are snugly fitted (all of which are adjustable - the third by the use of a push out finger ring), the waterkeys are robust and the excellent brace struts ensure that the odd clumsy mishap won’t bend things out of shape.
As for the interchangeable valves?
A bit noisy (the plastic valve-top felts being a bit on the hard side) but admirably slick and made to last if treated with appropriate care and attention.
The simple monel design, incorporating yellow brass casing sheaths, proper springs and a neat valve release mechanism are easy to use, and you don’t have to buy ludicrous bespoke ‘artisan’ valve oil to stop them becoming a slow as a pensioner stair lift.
There are enough colour schemes to send a chameleon into an identity crisis, and we especially liked the special metallic finishes (even gold!). They are a hoot. Kids will love ‘em.
Overall:
The quality of the plastic feels solid and not brittle, which aids the neatly thought out design: It’s an instrument that looks like a traditional cornet and feels robust.
On the downside though (as with all these plastic instruments) - ditch the mouthpiece. It really isn’t of any use.
Buy a decent one and the instrument comes alive like 10 year old on a blue smartie binge.
Also invest a few bob on a decent gig bag: The Tromba case looks like it contains a builder’s drill with a locking mechanism that certainly won’t deter a Cash Converter Artful Dodger.
The inside is cut out of polystyrene, and to get everything to fit in you have to stick the instrument stand (which you have to undo) back into the bell.
It’s way too fiddly - so a modern day-glo coloured gig-bag that can be slung over a shoulder with room for a mute, music and even some homework would be a better bet - and would keep fashion conscious youngsters happy too.
Intonation:
One of the real (and annoying) problems with some of the plastic trumpets we have played has been the poor (and at times completely awful) intonation - especially in the lower register.
Whilst the Tromba is by no means perfect, it is far superior to the vast majority we have blown, and with the aid of a decent mouthpiece and a bit of trigger work it becomes well centered throughout the dynamic and notation range.
There is some restriction in the airflow with multi-valve combinations (low C#, D, Eb etc), but it isn’t too off-putting a problem.
Up above the stave it even allows a young banzai show-off the chance to ping out a few eye-poppers without sounding like a wailing tom cat.
Overall:
The Tromba offers a solid intonation foundation with just the odd crack here and there.
It’s also a real step up from what has gone before and way above some of the trumpet rivals.
Not perfect by any means - but for the developing player it’s not an insurmountable hurdle, and as the more experienced they become, a bit of judicious trigger work solves most troubles.
Ease of Blowing/Tone:
We can’t emphasis this enough: Get rid of the plastic mouthpiece - because only then does the Tromba reveal its true bright sound.
Why the instrument doesn’t come with a decent bit of iron-work to put on the chops is a mystery, as the benefits are huge.
All of a sudden you can push a proper air flow through and be rewarded with a tone that doesn’t sound as if it was copyrighted by Armitage Shanks.
It also frees up the lower register and the instrument gains so much more flexibility - all the way up the stave and even above.
Overall:
With a decent mouthpiece the Tromba becomes an instrument that is oodles of fun to play.
That will also be the key for young players - showing them that with a bit of hard work it can be enjoyed without them looking like Morello cherries in trying to be the next Roger Webster.
Overall Performance/ Value for money:
We were more than surprised by the overall performance of the Tromba cornet.
It’s not perfect by any means - but the compact design and build quality is, as Neil Armstrong would say if he ever played one on the moon, a giant leap forward for plastic instrument kind.
The hybrid plastic/metal design also seems to be the future too - especially with the valves (lubricated with any non-toxic synthetic oil) - although there are still overall improvements that could be made without really adding too much to the overall cost.
A proper mouthpiece is a must, and we would ditch the hard case for a good quality gig bag: The one it comes in lacks the pizzazz of the cornet inside and is fiddly to get the instrument to fit snugly in.
That would also help as the Tromba comes with a neat instrument stand that sets up like a spacecraft that could land on Mars (see above), a trio of cleaning brushes, replacement valve springs, cleaning cloth and something called a Qing Jie Bang, which looks like a chop stick but may well be a cleaning implement of some kind. It’s not needed.
All this and the Tromba comes in around £125.00 for the matt plastic colour models (as above in red) and about £145.00 for the metallic finishes, which is pitched right in the same price bracket as its sibling Tromba trumpet and rival p-trumpet, and quite a bit less than the Tiger trumpet.
In comparison to the traditional ‘student’ models from the likes of Rosetti, Excel, Elkhart, John Packer etc it is also much cheaper - these coming in around the £150 - £200 range.
Overall:
Tromba may well have a hit on their hands here - as the cornet really does offer a well put together alternative to the ubiquitous plastic trumpets.
If we want to inspire a new generation of cornet players then the Tromba, with its jazzy colours, solid construction and good performance characteristics may provide an ideal starter instrument.
With that in mind, and with a few reservations about improvements that can still be made quickly as the technology improves (we are told that future models may come with a metal mouthpiece, the option of padded gig bags, lyre and a better hard case), we still sneak it into the 4 star category - especially when compared to rivals and considering its realistic target market.
Never mind cheap electricity, the boffins may just be proved right about the plastic revolution after all.
Overall 4BR star rating:
: Very good standard of quality and characteristics in all four areas
Specifications:
Medium bore
Stainless steel valve casing
Range of colours – matt or metallic
Mouthpiece
Stand, case and cleaning kit
Brass sprung valves
Third slide finger ring
Price: £125.00 - £145.00 (approx)
For more information:
Band Supplies:
http://www.band-supplies.co.uk/
or: 0113 245 3097 (Leeds); 0141 339 9400 (Glasgow)
Trevada Musical Instruments:
http://www.trevadamusic.co.uk/brass
Normans Musical Instruments:
http://www.normans.co.uk/
PJS Music:
http://ttps://www.pjsmusic.com/
