Dave

The best hornline of all time is the Kevin Harriman Drum and Bugle Corps in 2000 :D 8^)

I have tried one, and liked it; I didn't seem to have a problem with response. In fact, I found it was a little more responsive in some ways. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. However, for corps stuff I think I prefer my Arnold Jacobs, since it has a little more focused sound.

I have an Arnold Jacobs mouthpiece, which is a smaller copy of the original Helleberg. I am thinking of getting a Perantucci, maybe a PT-88, later on (when I have some of what they call "money." 8^) )

Blue Stars 97... :D Who knew four contras could have such a rich sound? If you haven't heard it, check it out; it's sweet. And, no, I didn't march that year :( so that's not why I like it.

Um...I don't know about anyone else, but I happen to think that Phantom 96 was one of the best-sounding hornlines I've ever heard. They had a deep, dark sound that I consider to be ideal to drum corps hornlines, and when they hit those power chords-- :0 dang, what a sound. While there is a concept of good sound quality hornlines go for, there are different types of hornline sound, and Phantom has their own style.

I disagree. It's not the key; rather, the design of the horn has more impact. (I know, here we go again. Hey, if we're going to have a more civil environment in which to have these discussions, then let's take advantage of it, dang it). Yamahas aren't designed for outdoor use like the DEGs and Kanstuls are. However, as I understand it, Yamaha is working on a new design for a marching euphonium which Cavaliers will be using at some point, and this will hopefully lead into them producing horns more accomodating to outdoor use, both in projection and durability. IMO, it's not "volume," but "projection" that's an issue. I know of huge college marching bands that are loud as all heck, but don't project nearly as well as a smaller corps hornline and therefore don't sound as loud. The design of the bell and throat has an impact here. Compare a soprano and a trumpet side by side; aside from the extra seven inches of (cylindrical) tubing, the main difference lies in the larger throat size on the soprano and the lesser flare of the bell. Both these features are found on both the Bb and G sops put out by DEG and Kanstul. They aid projection by focusing the sound a little more than a normal trumpet does.

I believe that someone actually did whatever measuring was necessary to find that Star 93 was, in fact, the loudest hornline ever. Anyone else out there ever hear about that?

Well, for all intents and purposes, "Blast" is probably the best of all of them, but from the drum corps years, 93 is, IMO, the best. I loved the show as a whole, and I was blown away by the hornline (even though I've only heard recordings of it :) ).