“The Macaluso trumpet does not act like any other B-Flat trumpet on the market.”
“My name is Ron Glynn. I earned a bachelor’s degree in trumpet performance from Western Illinois University and a master’s degree in the same discipline from Northwestern University. At Northwestern, I studied under Vincent Cichowicz, second trumpet in the world-famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) brass section from 1952 to 1974. I began playing at age 6 and am currently 49 years of age. My background in playing trumpet includes orchestral and solo playing, and an extensive history of playing lead in big bands and jazz groups.
In 1997, I took a job working at Schilke Music Products. For over 17 years, I was trained and worked in every aspect of trumpet manufacturing, from design work to the implementation of new manufacturing processes. During that time, I made over 20,000 trumpet bells. About three years ago, I started my shop doing brass instrument repairs and building trumpets. I was recently commissioned by Mr. Macaluso to produce the tail bend of a trumpet bell of new acoustic design, and to install the new bell on an existing S/N 001 trumpet. After doing the work, I did a complete test of the instrument.
In play testing the Macaluso S/N 001 Bb trumpet, I began with arpeggios and lyrical passages. For direct comparison, I used a 1966 standard weight medium large bore Bach Stradivarius Model 37, which I have owned and played for 25 years. Simply put, the Macaluso trumpet has a middle register immediacy of response that the Bach trumpet never had. Tonal pitch centers are clearer and, as a result, are far more secure. Dynamic playing can normally expose a restrictive instrument, showing its inability to be resonant at soft volume levels, as well as a tendency to be harsh and bright at higher dynamic volume levels. The Macaluso trumpet was easy to play at both ends of that spectrum. Soft dynamics were completely secure, and louder passages were full and bold. Playing from a pedal C to middle C, all the chromatic pitch centers are accurate, clear, and secure. From middle C to high C, the trumpet remains extremely open, with almost no restriction.
Normally, this is where every other Bb trumpet on the market begins to fight against the player because of poor harmonicity. Typically, as the player ascends, the trumpet pushes back until the player finally succumbs. In this regard, the Macaluso trumpet does not act like any other Bb trumpet on the market. As you go above F above High C, the trumpet just sings. Pushing on to Double C, it remains open and secure. The sound is very pure, clear, and full of harmonics. I have never play tested a Bb that played like this instrument. Because of the acoustic design work Mr. Macaluso has undertaken, the full potential of a Bb piston style trumpet has been realized. Simply put, the superior acoustic design of the Macaluso trumpet makes it much easier to play, and more accurate, than any other trumpet that I have ever played. It simply performed at a much higher level in every style and setting.
After extensive play testing, I confirm that the response was significantly improved by reducing the bell wall thickness near to the rim. The instrument response at lower dynamic levels is remarkable. Most trumpets can be pushed to respond at higher dynamic levels; however, they are not very responsive at lower dynamic levels. This Bb design stands alone regarding response. The improved response of this trumpet made articulations, slurred passages, intervallic skips, upper register, and all aspects of performance, which are vastly easier than my 1966 Bach Strad.”