Welcome to the show notes for Episode #66 of The Other Side of the Bell – A Trumpet Podcast. This episode features trumpet and flugelhorn maker Hub van Laar.
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About Hub van Laar
Hub van Laar founded his company in 1990 in Margraten, near Maastricht, on the border triangle to the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. Beginning as a workshop for brass wind instruments, the company expanded rapidly under the direction of Hub van Laar and Heidrun Jöchner to become an enterprise of world repute.
Due to the increasing demand for their instruments Van Laar launched a new branch in Markneukirchen in 2010, in the heart of the so-called “Music Corner” (“Musikwinkel”) in Vogtland, Germany, which has a rich historical tradition in the making of musical instruments. In autumn 2016 Van Laar Trumpets GmbH relocated from Markneukirchen to larger premises in Klingenthal
Van Laar takes great pride in the fact that all the components necessary for their instruments are made completely in their own factories in the Netherlands and Germany.
Van Laar’s team of experts build brass wind instruments in a traditional way, using the most modern technologies. Hub van Laar is bound by tradition and is committed to achieving the highest standards, and every instrument undergoes rigorous testing before it leaves the workshop. As a result, musicians from the most renowned orchestras, big bands and ensembles all over the world use Van Laar instruments.
A new trumpet or flugelhorn is certainly not something one buys every day, and musicians develop a special relationship with their instrument. This is why Hub van Laar attaches great importance to individual and intensive contact with his customers. Over the years Van Laar has built up a wide range of trumpets and flugelhorns with all the technical requirements needed for all kinds of musicians and for every kind of music. These instruments were created in close cooperation with a number of musicians and have been continually improved, ensuring that the majority of customers will find “their” perfect trumpet or flugelhorn among them.
Van Laar will adapt an instrument to a customer’s individual requirements. In addition, Hub van Laar welcomes feedback and suggestions from his valued customers, since this provides inspiration for the further development of Van Laar instruments. Thanks to this, Hub van Laar Trumpets & Flugelhorns have become renowned all over the globe instruments are treasured by international artists and beginners alike.
Hub van Laar Links
Podcast Credits
- “A Room with a View“ – composed and performed by Howie Shear
- Audio Engineer – Preston Shepard at SC Sound Labs
- Cover Art – Phil Jordan
- Podcast Host – John Snell
Does your flugelhorn mouthpiece wobble? Do you have problems with intonation, slotting or sound with your flugel?
If you’ve ever played a flugelhorn for more than five minutes you’ve undoubtedly run into a problem involving shanks and receivers. No mouthpiece seems to play or fit correctly and you keep hearing about a “taper” that isn’t a taper — what is going on?
Don’t worry, help is here to bring you your beloved flugelhorn sound!
Types of Flugelhorn Mouthpiece Shanks
Though there are many manufacturers of flugelhorns today, there are only three commonly used flugelhorn shanks and one more that is very rare.
1) The Couesnon Flugelhorn Mouthpiece Shank (French Shank)
The first shank is referred to commonly as the “French Shank” or the “Couesnon Shank.” As you may have guessed, it was used originally on Couesnon flugelhorns. This shank is not a taper, as is used on other trumpet, cornet, or flugelhorn mouthpieces. The bottom inch or so of the mouthpiece shank is cylindrical. At that point the shank flairs slightly into a shoulder which secures the mouthpiece into the receiver. Some folks call this type of flugelhorn mouthpiece shank a French Taper or a Couesnon Taper, which is a misnomer since there is no taper to the shank.
French Shank mouthpieces will not fit properly in other types of flugelhorn receivers.
2) The Standard Flugelhorn Mouthpiece Shank
The second kind of flugelhorn mouthpiece shank is referred to as the “Standard Shank” or “Large Morse Taper.” Unlike the French Shank, the Standard Shank is a traditional taper similar to what you find on trumpets, cornets, and other brass instruments. Many flugelhorns are manufactured today, including Yamaha flugelhorns, that accept this taper.
Standard shank mouthpieces generally do not fit in a French Shank or the smaller Bach Shank receiver.
3) The Bach Flugelhorn Mouthpiece Shank
The third flugelhorn mouthpiece shank that is commonly used is the “Bach Shank” or “Small Morse Taper.” It is also a taper, but at a smaller size than the Standard Shank flugelhorn mouthpiece. It has been used on Bach flugelhorns since they were first produced.
4) Trumpet Shanked Flugelhorns
The last shank that very few flugelhorns accept is actually the same size that is used on trumpet mouthpieces. This setup is used on some European flugelhorns, but it is exceedingly rare.
“What Flugelhorn Mouthpiece Do I Need?”
When you are considering a flugelhorn or a flugelhorn mouthpiece, always check and double check that the parts you will be using will work together. Having an incompatible setup of mouthpiece and receiver will result mouthpieces not fitting properly and poor intonation and playability.
The “American Shank” Flugelhorn Mouthpiece
Depending on where you live and who you talk to, you may run across mentions of an American Shank flugelhorn. In our research, we have found that manufacturers and players can be referring either to #2 or #3 above when referring to “American Shanks.” Bach is one of the most prominent U.S. manufacturers and so some people refer to the Bach Shank as the American Shank. Nowadays, more U.S. manufacturers use the Standard Shank size so that has caused some folks to label the larger Standard Shank as the “American Shank.” To avoid confusion, it would be best to use Standard and Bach, or Large and Small Taper.
The Double Standard
Unfortunately, some people refer to either the Large or Small Shanks as “Standard.” This is because many years ago, the Bach Shank was considered the standard size. Over the last 40-50 years, however, the Large Shank has become much more popular while the Bach Shank waned. There has been a resurgence in the Bach Shank in recent years, though the Large taper size is still much more common.Looking To Improve Your Flugelhorn or Flugelhorn Mouthpiece?
Bob Reeves Brass has a complete line of flugelhorn mouthpieces for all shank sizes of you are looking for a mouthpiece.
You might also consider getting a valve alignment for your flugelhorn to improve sound, intonation, and projection.
Flugelhorns Manufacturers Grouped by Mouthpiece Shank Type
Couesnon (No Taper): French Besson, Couesnon, Flip Oakes, Kanstul, Miraphone
Bach (Small Morse Taper): B & S, Bach, R, S, Berkeley, Besson, Courtois, Eclipse, F. E. Olds, Holton, LeBlanc, James , Trevor, Kanstul, Miraphone , Phaeton, Reynolds, Schilke, Selmer, Shiller, Taylor, Van Laar
Standard (Large Morse Taper): Adams, Benge, Blessing, Callet, Conn, Eclipse, Gerd Dowids, Getzen, Josef Lidl, Kanstul, King, Lawler, Miraphone , Orlando Wind Instruments, Stomvi, Thomas Inderbinen , Weril, Yamaha,
Trumpet Mouthpiece Taper: Gerd Dowids