| My Field Trumpet is # GE 1011 and it arrived last Friday afternoon! What a work of art! I couldn't put it down! Sunday my wife and I took a ride to the National Cemetery , I sounded Taps over and over. Both with the G slide and in Bb. The sound was great, and my wife really liked the the lower pitch with the G slide. The sound does seem to carry at a greater distance with the Bb slide in. My plan was to use the G slide for winter. I can't beleive how light it is compared to my Trumpet. Well, thanks again for all your work on the American Heritage Field Trumpet and to Tom Getzen, Jari Villanueva, and Mark Elrod who also deserve mention. God bless Tom Day and all BAA members. Ed Crobie BAA Joliet ILL. Tom Days says Ed is the busiest provider of Taps for Vet's in the state of ILL! ADA BOY ED! |
| Great instrument, I took it to the Honor Guard Office at Peace ANG and played Taps for them. They were quite impressed with the quality, you could hear it all over the Base! It will be put to good use. TSgt. Ian Y. Cundiff NH. |
| I had the great pleasure of making the Getzen American Heritage Field Trumpets availible to trumpeters from the United States Marine Band! The Presidents Own toured through WI and I contacted them an offered to make the horns availible for testing. Some members gave them a shot and were very happy at the oppertunity to try out the horns. |
| I received my field trumpet on 11/10 just in time for a ceremony on 11/11. It worked great. I've had other people try the horn and it met with outstanding approval. I just love the tone, it's incredibly warm and round. Do you know if Getzen makes a regular b-flat trumpet that plays the same way. I just can't say enough about the instrument, I'm looking forward to using it quite a bit. Thanks! Michael Mahoney, BAA Broadview Heights OH |
| The M2003ES Elite American Heritage Field Trumpet crafted by Getzen is well worth the extra cost. The tone is incredible. Every time I play the bugle, people always comment on the beautiful sound! Nancy Lehmann, BAA Walworth WI |
| I am very happy with the GAHFT, and feel fortunate to be able to have purchased it thru BAA. I also believe that it is an investment that will increase in value and that I got it at a very good price. Mostly, I like the pure tone that it gives. It is always in tune with my wife's piano (she is a piano teacher so the piano is always kept in tune) and with the slide pushed all the way in. I never have to adjust the tuning slide like I do with my trumpet. I broke it in on Veteran's Day, 2003 as the bugler of American Legion Post #1941 in La Grange, Illinois. I got several compliments from the members. Other things I like about it: The very nice case. Its attractive look. Its very light weight. Its shiny finish which never has to be Brasso'ed like my regulation US bugle does. The trumpet mouthpiece instead of a standard bugle mouthpiece. I use the G slide because with the C slide it is too high for me. Also if the GAHFT is playing echo Taps with a regulation bugle, the G slide must be used. However, it is somewhat uncomfortable to hold with the G slide. Also it would be nice if there were a provision for the storage of the slide not in use in the case such as a padded insert feature. But these are minor items. The GAHFT is great! Bruce P. Christensen, LaGrange IL |
| Update from Ted ! Sir, I could not be more pleased with my field trumpet. I have played Taps on it about 20 times at funerals and memorial services, so far. I think it was well worth the expense to have a dedicated horn for such duties. I have substituted the G slide and expect that it will never come out. I also use a double cup mouthpiece instead of the mouthpiece that came with it. Perhaps local Vet's organizations could be convinced to purchase one for use at their events. I have met several interested active duty sailors who are interested in learning to play, but would never be able to afford a new horn. They have been provided with some older trumpets I had, but would probably find the Field Trumpet much easier. Thanks again for all the hard work you did in making these horns a reality. V/r Ted Freeman, BAA Spring Lake NJ |
| . Update from Ed So far the Field Trumpet has sounded taps over 100 times for veterans. Still using the G slide. People seem to like the lower pitch. Took some getting use too. Got it down now I think. Ed Crobie, BAA Joliet IL |
| First the horn plays beautifully! Note to note transitions are smooth and easy and the tone is fantastic. Mouthpiece 5C plays as well as my Bach 5C. I get many complements on the horn and my playing. I will be using it in a stage production of "A Christmas Story" which I am directing and will be playing Taps on it (In addition to my regular funeral details) Weight of horn is great. On the negative side, I think the case is far too bulky for such a small horn, with no place to put a mute and or a slot for the extra slide. Greg Murphy, BAA Erial PA |
| Gene Horner is the BAA Director in Alalska. Gene and I have chatted on the phone 4 times since his horn was ordered. He just can't say enough good things about the Getzen American Heritage Field Trumpet. Gene works heavily with the Alaskan military installations and has allowed just about every military bandsman in the state to test the horn! Plenty of rave reviews have come from the far Northwest! Gene's allready played in 18 below conditions. Just for the record, right now the sun comes up at 11am and sets at 3pm!! BBBr r r r r r r r r r !!! Dano: just a note to let you know the field trumpet has met or exceeded all my expectations.This picture is at the Ft. Richardson Nat Cem. at noon today. Gene Horner, BAA Wasilla Alaska SEE Gene's Picture on the Field Trumpeter Pic's page!!! |
| Here are some comments from Pete Latham in the U.K.! Pete had to wait for the horn to clear customs! WELL the wait is over! GE 1009 arrived safe and sound at 10:00 GMT 11/11. Buzzed up the M/Piece and one nice TAPS. I find it really open and free though I might change M/p for one with a touch less depth. M/pieces is a REAL BLACK ART. I like something that gives a bright and quick high note but doesn't stall on really low notes in some of our Brit Military Calls. I've sent thank you's to TOM DAY for taking the time and effort to order and ship my horn. To MARY @ GETZEN, thanking TOM GETZEN for making this horn available,with a special thank you to their people who actually make them. So that leaves you to say well done for bringing together all the idea and people to provide a class bugle, for a Very Noble cause! I feel so chuffed to have something that is Totally Unique in U.K.!! GE1009 is the only GETZEN Field Trumpet, with the BAA logo in the Land!! I sounded TAPS Just after 'LAST POST' @ 11:00 hrs GMT 11/11 on it. As I said to TOM , in the Thirties there was a wonderful American car called a DUESENBERG, I assume thats were 'A REAL DUESEY came from, so if I'm correct, and we are not seperated by a common language,thats what the horn is 'A REAL DUESEY' . DAN, Well I took GE 1009 out today we have a lazy river runs through a valley nearby , this morning there was a little mist about, well I really let rip having warmed up, what can I say, just awesome! I know 'TAPS' is emotive and hope that comes through when I sound it, but most of our military calls, well I like to sound really Bright and jaunty. I remember them by the bawdy poems the soldiers used. The getzen has a clarity, as you said The Cadillac of Horn's, one thing I feel its so light and fragile, I treat it like a Baby, which well is OK 'cos its special. I weighed GE 1009 on my kitchen scales and registered 11 ounces (imperial) my Duty bugle comes in at 22 ounces! I'll see a pal over the weekend and he has a Digital camera, will get photo of all my bugles to you. Regards from the Bugler in the East! Pete Latham, BAA Saltford England |
| I've had my Getzen for just about two months now, and all I can say is that it is a beautiful instrument and I feel very fortunate to be able to own one. It is unquestionably the right tool for the job of honoring America's veterans. Robert Rivera, BAA Glen Gardener NJ |
| I am in agreement with you in that it is a wonderful thing that has happened with the development of the Heritage Field Trumpet. In my opinion Tom Getzen is a true patriot through his support in honoring America's veterans. We could use more of his kind in the industrial world who are interested in building instead of profiteering. I have the opportunity to use my new trumpet at only three ceremonies since receiving it. This is a great improvement over having to use my Bach Bflat trumpet to sound TAPS. I am proud to uncase my new trumpet and deliver those 24 notes we all know so well. John P. Kowzan, LTC, USAR, Ret BAA Spokane Wa |