Jason and I discussed very closely the ideas behind my personal Summit. I wanted a horn that I could comfortably play in more intimate settings without loosing any of the capabilities I strive for on with my Harrelson 909. I wanted something that would amplify the sound I had in my head. I wanted a horn that would lend itself to provide a lush, rich, warm sound. A great ballad horn that was not a flugel. Something that would allow me to play right next to someone without them wincing from sonic overload.
In the end I settled upon his #4 lead pipe, medium large bore, and his special #7 bell. This combination is designed by Jason to provide the player with an open blow and relatively dark timbre. The bell is the largest bell in the Harrelson line up. My own personal input was to not have any spit valves and no stopper on the third valve slide. I chose the option of no spit valves mostly from an aesthetic stand point. What I received is a horn with a clean distinctive line to it and a warm broad sound that fills any size room from all directions. Though I am just a few days into my acclimation, I am already realizing the potential application of this horn to my playing.
I am able to play with an even greater dynamic range. I can play the softest melodies without loosing the integrity of the sound. I am able to beef up the volume to put some true fire and passion into a solo without sending the listener away with broken ear drums. I have found no loss or restriction in my range or flexibility; if anything the design and construction of this horn allow for much of those elements to just lock in and be more easily facilitated than any standard horn I have worked with.
I definitely prefer my 909 for the majority of my work. The brilliance and projection that I get from my 909 are still unmatched for rock, classical, and lead work. Of course, I was not looking to replace my 909 in the first place, but rather to add a horn that allows me to bring a new spectrum of colors to the palette.
My Summit is not for everyone or everything. It is for me and what I had it built for. Would most players enjoy playing it? An adamant yes. It is truly a fun horn to have on the face. It is agile, it is warm, and it is perfectly built for what I do and what I wanted it to do. I look very forward to taking it into the studio in the coming months to see how it comes off with a mic in front of it.
As with my 909 Jason has really outshone my expectations in delivering a truly fantastic, custom-built instrument. The Harrelson shop should be your first and only call if you know what you want and you want it done by the best. Many horn makers build horns so you will sound how they want you to sound. Jason builds horns so you can sound how YOU want to sound for the jobs that YOU do.
