Blue Stars Switch to Jupiter

[noneofyourbusiness]

Ask them what they think of it after the days of DCI are gone.

DCI is dying. There is no saving it now.

From what I heard from the DCI camps, there are thousands of potential members who disagree. And from the financial reports, most of the corps are doing well (see Madison as an example).

[BozzlyB]

My apologies if this has been covered already, but are they going to Mapex percussion as well?

Mike

This has not been announced as the case, so until it is I would guess they are staying with Pearl, which is hugely preferable IMO.

[corps8294]

This has not been announced as the case, so until it is I would guess they are staying with Pearl, which is hugely preferable IMO.

Second that.

[ChwyNiblet]

I think some folks just need to get over it. The Jupiters are quickly becoming THE horn in drum corps. Perhaps its because their reps pay so much attention to the R&D feedback they are getting over the past 5 years from drum corps' instructional staffs and members. Oh, by the way...I know they are putting this information to good use as I got to see Gen 1 horns and Gen 2 horns with the same ensemble. Now, it appears the Blue Stars are getting the benefits of Gen 3.

Really now? If anything I'd say that Yamaha's are becoming the horn for drum corps. The sound great and can fit a vast majority of playing styles (Crown/Cadets). The trumpets they use aren't some line of student model horns made for marching, but rather professional level horns that are on par with Bach Strads and Kanstuls. I'm not saying what Jupiter is putting out is complete garbage, just that there are better alternatives out there. The Blue Stars sounded great on the Kings, I only hope they can keep that sound. Maybe its just me, but when Phantom switched to Jupiter horns, it seemed like what they're known for (low brass) was completely non-existant. Just food for thought, and enough with the personal attacks Tom Brace.

[Drum Korps Fan Man]

Really now? If anything I'd say that Yamaha's are becoming the horn for drum corps. The sound great and can fit a vast majority of playing styles (Crown/Cadets). The trumpets they use aren't some line of student model horns made for marching, but rather professional level horns that are on par with Bach Strads and Kanstuls. I'm not saying what Jupiter is putting out is complete garbage, just that there are better alternatives out there. The Blue Stars sounded great on the Kings, I only hope they can keep that sound. Maybe its just me, but when Phantom switched to Jupiter horns, it seemed like what they're known for (low brass) was completely non-existant. Just food for thought, and enough with the personal attacks Tom Brace.

For what it's worth, I have played on friend's Yamaha Xenos and pro-model Jupiters, and I preferred the Jupiters. I know that that is personal taste, but it's my .02.

I would also add that while there are many people switching to Jupiter, it is hard for people to switch to Yamaha, because it requires that they switch both horns and drums, which is both expensive and some drummers don't like Yamahas.

That debate I can't get into... Don't know enough about Yamaha drums vs. Pearl/Dynasty etc.

[corpssaavy]

This has not been announced as the case, so until it is I would guess they are staying with Pearl, which is hugely preferable IMO.

Third that.

[brassEXPERT]

I think some folks just need to get over it. The Jupiters are quickly becoming THE horn in drum corps. Perhaps its because their reps pay so much attention to the R&D feedback they are getting over the past 5 years from drum corps' instructional staffs and members. Oh, by the way...I know they are putting this information to good use as I got to see Gen 1 horns and Gen 2 horns with the same ensemble. Now, it appears the Blue Stars are getting the benefits of Gen 3.

Unfortunately, I would have to disagree. Oh and hello DCP! Although I do know that the product specialist and representatives of the Quantum series are very well qualified and come from many different backgrounds when it comes to their brass playing experience, there are still some major flaws with the line that make it sub-par to that of a yamaha line. I have personally had a discussion with Pat Sheridan about his participation in the development of the quantum line, and trust that the efforts of the team are certainly moving the quality of the line is a positive direction, but the fact still remains that the lines that have switched to the series have complained about the instruments themselves or have had significant changes in sound quality that are apparent to the audience. I know of a few people from Jersey Surf that have specifically stated that the switch to jupiter was a great opportunity to get new horns, but the playability of the trumpets and mellophones is very limited. There is way too much back pressure and they don't respond as well over the range of the entire instrument. The evidence is apparent when phantom made the switch to Jupiter, when their low brass sound that they have been famous for, yes EVEN AFTER the switch to Bb horns, was immediately lost. I personally cannot attest to the quality of the tubas, but it seems as if their projection is terrible compared to that of a dynasty of yamaha horn.

There also seems to be some discussion between comparing the top quality instruments of yamaha and jupiter, which is completely irrelevant to the true discussion at hand. Yamaha horn lines use the Xeno, the profession quality instrument for the Yamama trumpet series, but the Quantum line by Jupiter does not use it's professional trumpet model. That said, for one to compare the quality of the two professional horns and say that jupiter is superior is ridiculous, because the one instrument comparison has nothing to do with the rest of the instruments made by Jupiter. For a very long period of time, Jupiter put out instruments (concert) that could not compare to any of the other companies that mass produce instruments that are machine made (i.e. King, Yamaha, Getzen, etc...). As of recent, the quality of the tubas has increased significantly as Pat was brought onto the product development staff for the concert horns as well. If you ever get tot see him play live, you might have the opportunity to see his rainbow colored tuba. Each color represents another time he has sent the horn back to receive an additional modification to try and make the best horn in the business. Again, this is concert horns we are talking, not the marching series.

Just my two cents. I don't think professional Jupiter trumpets play nearly as well as Xenos do. Still a little bit too much back pressure and a lack of definite core to the sound. Take what I have to say for what its worth, because after all, I am the expert.

[John H]

BWWWAAAAAA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

brilliant, brassEXPERT, brilliant!!

that is phenominal, one even might say artistic, trolling!

you nailed it all; the snarky tone, the illogical vaguely coherent thought, the claim of inner-circle secret info, the classic "i'm smarter than you" wrap-up at the end, the hidden brand new profile info. SPOT ON in every detail.

i salute you sir, for your virtuosic parody of trolling wizardry ! ! !

edit to add another

because you made my day, brassEXPERT. i'll be laughing for hours!

Edited December 5, 2010 by John H

[garfield]

Not to mention the vast amount of pure duplication of thoughts from prior posts.

But, of course, he's the expert so none of the prior posts stand up to his criticism.

BWWWAAAAAA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

brilliant, brassEXPERT, brilliant!!

that is phenominal, one even might say artistic, trolling!

you nailed it all; the snarky tone, the illogical vaguely coherent thought, the claim of inner-circle secret info, the classic "i'm smarter than you" wrap-up at the end, the hidden brand new profile info. SPOT ON in every detail.

i salute you sir, for your virtuosic parody of trolling wizardry ! ! !

edit to add another

because you made my day, brassEXPERT. i'll be laughing for hours!

[brassEXPERT]

Not to mention the vast amount of pure duplication of thoughts from prior posts.

But, of course, he's the expert so none of the prior posts stand up to his criticism.

You and I are going to be best friends. But out of all seriousness - I only brought multiple strand of thoughts and information into one post because there seems to be many different conversations occurring all trying to accomplish the same goal, which is giving an opinion on the Blue Star's switch the the Jupiter horns. From my experience and prior discussions with other experts, which actually DID take place, I can only say that the Blue Stars are going to make the horns do whatever they want them to - except have a thumping low brass section. I do salute the organization for having a brass program that continues to grow and develop its own unique sound. Time will only tell how the switch of horns impacts the line.