Martin TR4501 Urbie Green - upper range

[Oslide]

There's a lot of praise for this model, often with regard to the upper register. That's what one might expect from an instrument tailored to Urbie Green's requirements.

I really love the sound of my TR4501 (serial 709xxx). What puzzles me though is how it tightens up beyond the upper Bb. That range feels easier to me on my 3B or Bach 12. I had the same impression years back with an older example (serial 542xxx).

What is your experience with "Urbies"?

[Doug Elliott]

I never understood why many people loved Urbie horns while I felt the same way you just described. And many small bore Bach horns felt the same way to me. That was decades ago, before i got into making mouthpieces. But now I know that the balance of resistance can be changed in the backbore, and that's why I make all the different shanks for each bore size. I haven't tried any Urbies in many years but I suspect my opinion would be different now.

[Oslide]

It's good to hear from such a renown player that I'm not alone with my percipience. It's also good to learn that there may be a remedy in form of a specific mouthpiece type. Thank you!

Still it would be great to hear from some of the serious TR4501 users about their impressions, insights, and perhaps solutions. Are there examples of this model that do possess those lauded qualities in the upper range? Any ideas or findings why some do, but others don't? What kind of mouthpieces work well while others don't? Do other small bore Holtons show a similar pattern? - What's going on? I'd highly appreciate your contribution!

[RobertScott]

So, I have been playing a TR4501 for years in my community college jazz big band. I absolutely love how it plays, compared to my prior H.N. White King 3B Silversonic. I have tried alot of different mouthpieces, and I can tell you that it does not like the same mouthpiece as the King does. My sweet spot on the King is a Wick 10CS. The Urbie really likes the Marcinkiewicz Trombone Mouthpiece, ET1.7 Jiggs Whigham. I tried Bach 12, 7C, 6 1/2 AL, 11, King M21 and M31, Wick 12CS, 10CS, 6BS.
The ET1.7 really brings the upper register alive in my findings. Hope this helps!

[DaveAshley]

I've owned an Urbie for about 7 years, and have never noticed a problem with the high range. (2B's on the other hand....)
Mine is one of the earlier ones with MARTIN etched in big block letters on the bell, instead of the script logo. Serial number is in the 500,000's. Someone told me that these early Urbies have a more open leadpipe.

[Oslide]

Great comments. Thanks a lot!

[Dennis]

Try the TR-4501 with an Urbie Green Jet-Tone.

[johntarr]

I recently bought one here on the forum and find the high register to be very easy. It’s perhaps the easiest horn I’ve played. Right now, I’m using a DE XT C cup with a #3 shank. That’s not even the right shank for .500 bore, but I’ve ordered the #2 shank and think it will be even better.

[Burgerbob]

I recently bought one here on the forum and find the high register to be very easy. It’s perhaps the easiest horn I’ve played. Right now, I’m using a DE XT C cup with a #3 shank. That’s not even the right shank for .500 bore, but I’ve ordered the #2 shank and think it will be even better.

Sometimes the 3 is the better choice, sometimes the 2 is. I use a 3 in my Yamaha 852 but a 2 in my Bach 12.

[johntarr]

I recently bought one here on the forum and find the high register to be very easy. It’s perhaps the easiest horn I’ve played. Right now, I’m using a DE XT C cup with a #3 shank. That’s not even the right shank for .500 bore, but I’ve ordered the #2 shank and think it will be even better.

Sometimes the 3 is the better choice, sometimes the 2 is. I use a 3 in my Yamaha 852 but a 2 in my Bach 12.

Thanks! That’s a good reminder for me to keep an open mind.

[claf]

I recently bought one here on the forum and find the high register to be very easy. It’s perhaps the easiest horn I’ve played. Right now, I’m using a DE XT C cup with a #3 shank. That’s not even the right shank for .500 bore, but I’ve ordered the #2 shank and think it will be even better.

That's interesting, I'm also using a #3 shank (with a C+ cup) and also find it's a very good match.
Please let us know how it is after trying the #2.