So cool to see and hear this video. Don is a Cincy legend. As noted by others, he is a bit of a mad genius. I recall at a trumpet hang years ago that he spent time feeling the bell bend (from the 1st valve through the bend heading toward the bell flair) on different horns. I asked him what he was doing ... then he had me feel the bend on his Bb. His was perfect, while you could easily find small imperfections and flat spots on other horns (even though they appeared visually perfect), whether new or old (I had a number of vintage axes at that time). He is a perfectionist. He isn't super easy to speak with, which was probably because I know so little about true trumpet engineering, but I truly appreciated his expertise the few times we have spoken and the 2 repairs he has done for me over the years. Last I knew, this model was still just a thought, so I'm glad to know it actually got made. Njoy it Trent!
Don MIles is an incredible craftsman and for a long time was the only person in Cincinnati I'd use for work on my main instruments! (If I recall correctly, he stopped doing repair work to focus on building new instruments.) I had a chance to try one of his horns in a lesson years ago, a wonderful instrument. Trent, I'm glad you've had the opportunity to acquire one and know exactly why it's a keeper. You hit the nail on the head with your observation that they don't have the bling factor of some other horns, but they don't need it. I think Don figured out "essence of trumpet" and just builds that.
Actually knew of this guy… back on TH he came up and read an article about home checked out his site.. one of the guys I conversed with needed a horn Repair fairly local to him and wanted a higher end repair. I mentioned him as well as a few others and he reported back that only under perfect light could he see anything after the repairs and he fixed a couple others he had not even noticed… he reported back his work was exceptional… his horns were too.. he did not have a more budget option then and back at least 10 years it was about 5K for essentially a perfect Bach/Yamaha you get the idea!
These horns were my attempt to get don to build a more budget friendly option than his completely fabricated and custom horns. Don is one of the better craftsmen I have ever met in any industry. His attention to detail in his work is just plain impeccable. I took a vintage railroad lantern to him a few months back and he helped me fabricate parts to get it back in service. It was from 1864! Don is still making horns when people want them. I hope this generates some interest for him. I just ordered one of his new c trumpets doing a similar concept using sourced valves but his leadpipe, tuning slides, and bell.
I am excited for this! Back when I was in high school someone coming through to play with the local orchestra and he had both a Bb and C. Never seen one since, and certainly never got to play those. I've sort of kept tabs on what he's up to but never too seriously.
I played three of them at ITG in 2018. To me, they played very much like my own 1980 Bach 37, which was not surprising, given the almost identical design, and the fact that my Bach is a rather outstanding specimen of the ubiquitous 180ST37 model, in itself. For how it is designed to play, it's a competitive price, compared to other big brands' models that are also designed to play that way. But I also know that it's possible to find new horns that play even significantly better for some players doing certain kinds of playing, for significantly less. Still definitely worth a blow, and the experience at least helped better inform my final choice.
All trumpet players will appreciate this video. I never heard of Miles. I do know Harrelson and I know he gets bells and valve casings from Taiwan. My question goes to sound... the bell is key... are those from Miles better?
@@austincustom thx for the feedback. Let’s hope Miles gets the recognition he deserves. The only problem with that is: usually fame has the effect of increasing the price of horns.....
"Don Miles 10/27/2012 01:31:59 am Jason, I often get the same sort of comments. There are always those people out there who have never designed or built a trumpet but think they know just how it should be done because they can play. I have been driving for well over thirty years but that doesn't make me an automotive engineer or a auto mechanic. For some reason they just don't get it. They have never done what we do and probably never will but they will still think they know better. Forget them. Don't waste your time with them, They will go through life criticizing us and thinking that with a few insults they win their arguments. In the end they will be seen for the failures they are. They will never build a trumpet and nobody will ever pay attention to them. Meanwhile people will be playing the trumpets we build and loving them every minute of it. I continue to build my trumpets in spite of them. I will never build or sell many trumpets. It was never my goal. My goal was to make great trumpets that people can only get from me. Nobody can make the trumpets that I make and nobody can make the trumpets that you make. Just keep doing what you are doing and forget the fools who only dream and criticize but achieve nothing." There's something for everyone at every price point. When it comes to boutique, definitely play before dropping money.
![Chris Langan - The Interview THEY Didn't Want You To See - CTMU [Full Version; Timestamps]](/img/n.gif)
Don is a mad genius and has been the guy to see in Cincinnati for years and years for repairs.
So cool to see and hear this video. Don is a Cincy legend. As noted by others, he is a bit of a mad genius. I recall at a trumpet hang years ago that he spent time feeling the bell bend (from the 1st valve through the bend heading toward the bell flair) on different horns. I asked him what he was doing ... then he had me feel the bend on his Bb. His was perfect, while you could easily find small imperfections and flat spots on other horns (even though they appeared visually perfect), whether new or old (I had a number of vintage axes at that time). He is a perfectionist. He isn't super easy to speak with, which was probably because I know so little about true trumpet engineering, but I truly appreciated his expertise the few times we have spoken and the 2 repairs he has done for me over the years. Last I knew, this model was still just a thought, so I'm glad to know it actually got made. Njoy it Trent!
Don MIles is an incredible craftsman and for a long time was the only person in Cincinnati I'd use for work on my main instruments! (If I recall correctly, he stopped doing repair work to focus on building new instruments.) I had a chance to try one of his horns in a lesson years ago, a wonderful instrument. Trent, I'm glad you've had the opportunity to acquire one and know exactly why it's a keeper. You hit the nail on the head with your observation that they don't have the bling factor of some other horns, but they don't need it. I think Don figured out "essence of trumpet" and just builds that.
Grabs the sound. Beautiful. And, yep, I've never heard of it til now.
What a wonderful perfect classical sound… that sounds like an amazing trumpet!
Wow sound great..vintage style of tone
Thanks for listening
Actually knew of this guy… back on TH he came up and read an article about home checked out his site.. one of the guys I conversed with needed a horn Repair fairly local to him and wanted a higher end repair. I mentioned him as well as a few others and he reported back that only under perfect light could he see anything after the repairs and he fixed a couple others he had not even noticed… he reported back his work was exceptional… his horns were too.. he did not have a more budget option then and back at least 10 years it was about 5K for essentially a perfect Bach/Yamaha you get the idea!
[Don] "fixed a couple others he had not even noticed." I had a similar experience.
These horns were my attempt to get don to build a more budget friendly option than his completely fabricated and custom horns. Don is one of the better craftsmen I have ever met in any industry. His attention to detail in his work is just plain impeccable. I took a vintage railroad lantern to him a few months back and he helped me fabricate parts to get it back in service. It was from 1864!
Don is still making horns when people want them. I hope this generates some interest for him. I just ordered one of his new c trumpets doing a similar concept using sourced valves but his leadpipe, tuning slides, and bell.
Really nice horn with a really pure sound
I am excited for this! Back when I was in high school someone coming through to play with the local orchestra and he had both a Bb and C. Never seen one since, and certainly never got to play those. I've sort of kept tabs on what he's up to but never too seriously.
Trent, best legit sound I've ever heard from you. What a testament to a Bach similar horn but done better. Congratulations.
I play Alto Sax, But I have always Loved the trumpet. It's Amazing....
You had my attention throughout the entire presentation.
That horn is beautiful
It needs nothing else but
Trumpet player.
Check out Gary Winters. He plays one and is one of the finest players and people I know.
I played three of them at ITG in 2018. To me, they played very much like my own 1980 Bach 37, which was not surprising, given the almost identical design, and the fact that my Bach is a rather outstanding specimen of the ubiquitous 180ST37 model, in itself. For how it is designed to play, it's a competitive price, compared to other big brands' models that are also designed to play that way. But I also know that it's possible to find new horns that play even significantly better for some players doing certain kinds of playing, for significantly less. Still definitely worth a blow, and the experience at least helped better inform my final choice.
Nice Horn . Can’t beat Getzen valves
Do you have a shop in California? thanks
no but we ship worldwide and often pick up people from KCI (the major airport about 20 minutes from our shop in Kansas City)
All trumpet players will appreciate this video. I never heard of Miles. I do know Harrelson and I know he gets bells and valve casings from Taiwan. My question goes to sound... the bell is key... are those from Miles better?
No doubt the Bells from Don Miles are better than the Carol Brass parts Harrelson uses as well as the assembly. Don Miles is a true artist.
@@austincustom thx for the feedback. Let’s hope Miles gets the recognition he deserves. The only problem with that is: usually fame has the effect of increasing the price of horns.....
@@austincustom I have to think that Harrelson trumpets will have a sound resembling Carol Brass...
"Don Miles 10/27/2012 01:31:59 am
Jason,
I often get the same sort of comments. There are always those people out there who have never designed or built a trumpet but think they know just how it should be done because they can play.
I have been driving for well over thirty years but that doesn't make me an automotive engineer or a auto mechanic. For some reason they just don't get it. They have never done what we do and probably never will but they will still think they know better.
Forget them. Don't waste your time with them, They will go through life criticizing us and thinking that with a few insults they win their arguments. In the end they will be seen for the failures they are. They will never build a trumpet and nobody will ever pay attention to them. Meanwhile people will be playing the trumpets we build and loving them every minute of it.
I continue to build my trumpets in spite of them. I will never build or sell many trumpets. It was never my goal. My goal was to make great trumpets that people can only get from me. Nobody can make the trumpets that I make and nobody can make the trumpets that you make.
Just keep doing what you are doing and forget the fools who only dream and criticize but achieve nothing."
There's something for everyone at every price point. When it comes to boutique, definitely play before dropping money.
One day, you'll tell us why you love Charlier 2 so much...?
I use it as it's a good way to show relative intonation of an instrument and also the playability of the middle register.
I guess for you that day is today
@@austincustom thank you, you've made me love it as well...😊
Did anyone else spend the whole vid searching for a website to see more horns by Miles ?
sorry I was just looking for the spellcheck function
@@austincustom bad fingers fixed now
Or MAYBE Trent makes every trumpet you’ve never heard sound like the best horn you’ve never heard??? Jk
thanks (I think?) hahah!