VMI Neptune

Will · Post by **Will** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 11:11 pm

While browsing through the web I came across this horn. Anybody had experience playing one and where could I go to try one out? Is there a piston model?

CJ Krause · Post by **CJ Krause** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 12:38 am

TonyZ · Post by **TonyZ** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 7:53 am

A student of mine currently plays one (piston version) and it is a wonderful horn. We luckily have the ability to put it up against a Willson 3050S, and the Neptune ends up being the easier horn to handle with respect to both pitch and flexibilty. Great tone in all registers!

Rex Roeges · Post by **Rex Roeges** » Fri Apr 30, 2004 10:18 pm

Iâ€™ve owned a rotary Neptune (4098) for over 3 years, and enjoy it greatly. Some people think it a bit large, but I grew up playing Conn 20Jâ€™s and the Neptune feels just right. Iâ€™ve played it in Community Bands, college orchestraâ€™s, brass quartets, etc. and itâ€™s comfortable (for me) in all those venues. With a PT-9 (like a PT-64) mouthpiece, I get a very nice dynamic range and good tuning, but a PT-88 will give me a huge sound, and a few tuning issues (probably me more than the horn). I only use a gig bag with it and dents are not a concern. Iâ€™ve found it to be a well-built (re: tank) horn thatâ€™s easy to maintain and does whatever I demand of it (to the limits of my humble abilities). After some experimenting, Iâ€™ve found that a bar stool and K&M stand work best for me, unlike some horns that can sit in my lap. And, unlike some other posters, I donâ€™t have a problem reaching the first valve slide while playing, but I donâ€™t often have to. Iâ€™m 5â€™10â€