The Tony Scodwell Harry James Replica Trumpet
As a tribute to the great Harry James, Tony Scodwell has replicated the King "Balanced" model Bb trumpet that Harry James used during the 1950s. Having the good fortune to be with Harry James and his big band from 1964 through 1968 as his lead trumpet player, Tony has had a strong desire to replicate the King trumpets that Harry James used during the 1950's until his untimely death July 5th, 1983. This instrument is Tony Scodwell's tribute to Harry James.
Tony Scodwell explains: "This trumpet is made in a "balanced" configuration, with the valve section placed slightly forward. The tail section of the bell is bent an inch earlier than other trumpet bells. Although not as extreme as Harry's earlier Selmer instruments, my horn more closely resembles the King trumpets that Harry played during my tenure with the band. I have owned two of these trumpets throughout the years and I feel confident that my replica trumpet is an accurate representation of those that were made by King.
"The dual bore design measures .460"/.464". The trim plating in gold was chosen to be applied over the silver plating to best resemble the look of the King trumpets of that era. Harry had many trumpets from King over the years, usually sent to him in batches of six. If there was a particular horn that he favored over the one he was playing at the time, the others were returned to the factory in Cleveland. On occasion, Harry would give a horn to one of his trumpet players as a gift, which is how I acquired mine. Harry never had tuning rings on the first and third valve slides and the same was done on this instrument. Some of the trumpets that King sent him were made with sterling silver bells and/or leadpipes, sometimes both. Later on Harry favored brass with gold plating or even raw brass. Most were engraved with his name on the side of the bell, but not all.
"Serial numbers from King were somewhat confusing as well, in so far as the actual year that those horns were made. One item that did remain constant was the King case that was custom built to Harry's design. Walt Johnson was commissioned to make my case in the same configuration, two trumpets and a fitted slot for Harry's beverage of choice, Smirnoff Vodka. Dick Akright was also commissioned to reproduce as accurately as possible, the Parduba 5* Double Cup mouthpiece which I felt should be part of this outfit."
This instrument will made in a limited quantity. For those of you that will make the purchase, Tony wants to say, "I certainly hope that this instrument gives you as much pleasure as it did for me making it."
Contact the Band and Orchestra Department by phone at 301-946-3448, fax at 301-946-0487, or by email band@chucklevins.com.
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