Callet Trumpets
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Though it has only been available a short time, word is spreading fast. We would like to share some of the feedback we've received so far:
Recent additions to our
SIMA-playing family:
Olivier Theurillat - principal trumpet, Berne Symphony Orchestra, Switz: "My sound is more centered, my high register is more secure, my endurance has grown, my staccato is clearer and quicker, my projection is more efficient, my intonation is easier." Eric Parks, lead trumpet with West Point Jazz Knights Army Band - "The SIMA is perfect for everything from big band to orchestra." Csaba Kelemen - associate principal, Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, Germany: "Absolutely phenomenal!" John Dewitt - principal trumpet, Houston Symphony: "Perfectly centered and finest intonation ever." Herb Smith - 3rd trumpet, Rochester Philharmonic: "Extraordinarily happy with the SIMA." Daniel J. Falcone - legendary Las Vegas trumpeter: "Tested extensively and had to have it!" Gillarno Diaz Gomes - top studio player in Brazil: "The SIMA makes demanding work easier." John Liddle - trumpet soloist and conductor: "Jerome, you truly have created the Holy Grail of trumpets." David Perrico - Las Vegas lead trumpeter: "I absolutely love the SIMA!!"
Jerry C. from
England, 7/10: I have just seen the You Tube
clips [SIMA D/Eb trumpet] and
am blown away. This is the
best sound I have ever heard on this repertoire.
Herb Smith sounds awesome. I can't wait to have this
trumpet.
Jean S. from Canada, 7/10: I am proud to say that I am enjoying more and more my SIMA trumpet. My confidence is improving and my endurance has doubled. Roman W. from Switz, 6/10: I really appreciate your great customer service, awesome! Terry S. from NY, 5/10: I have always liked Jerry's work - great designs. But since I have the SIMA, I have not bought another trumpet. I don't even look at trumpets on eBay anymore. The SIMA is a home run! Ole G. from Germany, 4/10: My SIMA trumpet is fantastic! The centered tone is wonderful. My practice hours are in a room where there are some workout machines in heavy iron. Before the SIMA I had one of your Jazz models. When I played on the Jazz, the workout machine would sing on some of the tones. When I play the same piece of music on the SIMA the workout machine is more like shouting on the same tones! It is fun to be able to use a lot of alternative fingerings on the SIMA and hear that the horn is still in tune. Urban S. from Sweden, 3/10: The only thing I can say, the SIMA trumpet is fantastic! I have played the Callet Jazz for many years and Calicchio. I only play on the SIMA now. Andreas S. from Sweden, 3/10: The SIMA works perfect, great sound and projection. I played it for a five hour big band rehearsal (all Buddy Rich charts) last Sunday and my endurance was stunning, With the Callichio and 8310Z I was completely exhausted. I can´t believe that I hadn't bought the SIMA before! Gary B. from Ok, 3/10: The SIMA is a really nice horn!
Olivier Theurillat, from Switz,
2/10: Since a couple of weeks now, I have more experience with
Jerome's technique and the SIMA trumpet. I am very grateful and
thankful - I have really improved since
I met Jerome! My sound is more centered, my high register
is more secure, my endurance has grown, my staccato is clearer and
quicker, my projection is more efficient, my intonation is easier
(less use of alternate fingering). A big success! I have been busy
with different types of theater productions and I have used the SIMA
for Sweet Charity (beautiful sounding high F!) and Tchaikovsky's Eugen
Onegin (powerful sound but supple as well). The other positive thing
is the use of your technique with my 5 students - good results
already. Meeting with you was a gift!
Andreas S. from Sweden, 2/10:
The SIMA trumpet is incredible! What
a sound and precision. I think the Keefer trumpet and the SIMA are very
similar in blow, like Kyle said when he answered my first e-mails. I
have tried the Yamahas, Kanstuls, Bachs, Conns, and even my
own Calicchio trumpet but never found a trumpet with this ease and
precision in playing. Thank you. Bob N. from Australia, 1/10:
The
SIMA is magic! What I really like is that the horn is so
balanced when you go for a note, it's there so easily! The strangest thing
happened, I played 3 complete octaves on my 3rd day, something I couldn't do
on my cornet or old trumpet. Once again, thank you ever so much for the
SIMA.
John H. from Il, 12/09: My new SIMA is all it is advertised to be. I have been playing the horn for a month and it is the real thing. The intonation of the horn in all registers is superb. It's amazing to be able to run up to a double A and B and the SIMA is in tune and one can center the notes immediately. Most of my work is in big bands and I play next to the top jazz trumpeter in the Chicago area. He has perfect pitch and if anyone in the section is off-pitch even the smallest amount he picks it up immediately and lets you know. Since playing the SIMA I have very few issues with any pitch. He has played your horn and agrees that it is a fine player. I collected trumpets for many years and have owned and played most everything that has been made. I would say that this instrument has the characteristics of the Martin Committee and Conn 2B. For the last 30 years, Jerry has been the person at the forefront of trumpet development.
Chris L. from Fl, 12/09:
What impressed me about the Sima?
You name it! Perfect intonation, the most core of
any trumpet I've ever played, and incredible response from low G up to double
D's. Its also a very "nimble" horn (like a fast sports car that
takes corners really well). We played a couple of fast be-bop tunes and the
lines just popped out. The other horn players and the guys in the rhythm
section all asked me, "you got a new horn or something?". I worked this club
for a year straight with these same guys. I brought new horns in all the time
and they never said a word before! Jerry C. from UK, 10/09: The Sima Trumpet is a fantastic instrument. It allows greater ease of playing in all registers whilst maintaining a powerfully centered tone at all dynamic levels. Jerome Callet has created a masterpiece in the Sima trumpet.Herbert G. in Austria, 8/09: I am a lead trumpet player in several Austrian big bands and the musicians said they never heard such a great trumpet sound before!!! I just ordered two more. I want a silver one to match my gold. And my section mate, after hearing mine, needs one too! Thank you very much. Peter S. in Germany, 8/09: Jerome is right, this is "the world's finest trumpet". The longer I play the Sima, the more I like it. It sounds clear and true like a baroque angel. The notes slot accurately. The projection sounds strong even when played quietly, better than any other horn I know of. But now my dilemma is what to do with my other good horns? The Sima is superior! Eric P. from NY, 7/09: I perform a great variety of music. The SIMA and my Superchops mouthpiece are perfect for everything - big band to orchestra. The combination has greatly improved my performance while making my job easier - better endurance and perfect articulation and intonation to double C. The Jimmy Sturr polka band I play with has 18 Grammy Awards; I wish I had the SIMA for all of them! Csaba K. from Dresden Philharmonic, Germany, 6/09: Last weekend we played John Adams, Golijov, Hindemith, and Bernstein. The SIMA worked wonderfully, with perfect pitch and balance in all registers. I was playing 3rd with just the same high notes as the 1st. It was really fun. I'm also impressed by the huge sound in the deep register. Congratulations on making this wonderful horn! Wan Y. from Malaysia, 5/09: I received the Sima on 8th May, and am extremely impressed by it. My first reaction to the quality of the tone was - and still is - WOW!! Please accept my humble congratulations and thanks for your amazing creation. It's a privilege for me to have such a wonderful instrument. It's so in tune. But what I love most is the quality of the tone, which is truly amazing and makes the instrument a joy to play. The valves and slides are excellent, very smooth. Definitely the best trumpet I've ever played! Mark P. from Ca, 4/09: The SIMA trumpet arrived yesterday and I can already tell you that the trial period will not be necessary. I love the horn; it completely lives up to all that you and others have written about it. Thanks again for such a great horn. I've been a real horn junkie for the past few years, jumping from horn to horn looking for the right one. It has irritated my wife and left me very frustrated. My main issue has been intonation. The SIMA makes it almost impossible to play out of tune and you don't sacrifice sound. I am having a little trouble backing off because of years of blowing my brains out. I'm hoping your DVD can help me get the most out of my new horn. I'm so excited about getting to know this horn and seeing how far we can go together! Bruce M. from Md, 4/09: The SIMA is great! Everyone has noticed how much brighter the sound is and how it projects out into the hall. Intonation is much better. I am not having to "lip" notes up and down to play in tune like I had to on my WT. Tom R. from Oh, 3/09: I have played the new Sima for a while now and I am totally in awe of this instrument. Having played mostly Connstellations (38 B and 36 B), I have never experienced valves like this! Also, the easy response and very little effort required to play it are an amazing experience. I wasn't sure that I would adjust well to the underslung third valve slide ring but it turned out to be very natural for me to use and it works better than any I have ever had before. I am totally in love with this ultimate of trumpets! My poor Connstellations are being neglected, I'm afraid. The combination of the Sima and the SuperChops 2 mouthpiece makes playing a joy for me. I would never have believed that I could play a mouthpiece of a 10-1/2 equivalent size but it is the most comfortable mouthpiece I have ever used and it feels totally natural to me now. Mark C. from DC, 3/09: Sorry to keep sending feedback but I think you understand my excitement. I did a straight-ahead job last night and brought the Sima. Bebop tunes all night. I got so many compliments from the rhythm section on my sound and intonation. The bass player said that even the notes that were the hippest choices still sounded good because of how in tune they were. I was told that my tight articulation sounded like a 50's Miles: compact, clean, and colorful. During the last section of Donna Lee I played in octaves with the other trumpeter and ended the tune with a cleanly articulated double Bb stinger that may still be resonating at the club due to how HUGE and in tune it was. Got a jaw dropping expression from my friend. He said I had the best sound he ever heard from me - powerful and clean. And my ballad sound was "haunting". This trumpet is making me a better musician. Period! When I don't have to worry about flawed intonation I can play more relaxed with less tension in the chops and let my mind work on the aesthetics instead of the athletics of trumpet playing. Terry S. from NY, 3/09: I played the SIMA last night on a gig for the first time. We played a big band concert in a nice hall - fairly live. It was a full 2 hour concert, including Maynard's "Bridge Over Troubled Waters". (I was even able to play a respectable double C at the end of the chart). This horn sounds great with a big band: bright but rich. And it projects like crazy. We closed with "In the Mood". Those staccato eighth notes near the end popped out like bullets and with very little effort. The SIMA will definitely redefine the trumpet sound IMO. Everything else sounds dull and tubby, or shrill. It plays best with next to no air! Mark C. from DC, 2/09: I got the trumpet yesterday, and spent quite a bit of time on it. I have now been selling trumpets for over 10 years. I have played almost everything modern: Bach, Yamaha, Kanstul, Schilke, Getzen, etc. There are some great horns and some not so great horns. But, your SIMA shocked me beyond words!
No first valve slide? It has to be sharp on 1,
1-2 and 1-3 combinations. Not so. On other horns, the sweet spot is usually
on different harmonic spots so some notes ring a bit sharp or flat. But this
horn is spot on even on the "bad notes". For example, first space F is
usually way sharp like second space "A". But the SIMA rang true and in tune
on both. The low D and C# require a bit of adjusting and that's it. On
almost every other horn I have ever touched, 3rds are always flat while 3rd
line B and 4th line D are always super flat. This SIMA rings purely in tune
on all of those. Nick Drozdoff from Il, 2/09: I recently had the opportunity to extensively test Jerry Callet's new horn, the SIMA. I was very impressed with the quality of this horn. There used to be a mistaken impression that the only way to have a "free-blowing" horn would be to make it a large bore - a 468 to 470 bore. In fact, it became a badge of machismo and honor to say, "My horn is a 470!" Fortunately, over the years, wisdom has prevailed. The Sima is NOT a large bore, but it is very easy blowing. This is because this is one of the most efficient horns I've ever played. It is extremely free blowing. It is also in tune. The slots line up very well. The feedback to the lips is so solid as to be felt physically! The result is an in-tune horn with a wonderful sound. On top of all of the this, the valves feel just great. The fit and finish are beautiful. It is just an enjoyable horn to hold and play. In a day and age when custom pro horns go for $3500 and up, this horn also stands out as being much more affordable. This is a top notch pro horn that pros can afford to buy! I thoroughly enjoyed being asked to test this instrument. Eugene B. from MO, 2/09: This is the best horn I have ever played. The ease of playing and wonderful sound have improved my playing. It is a remarkable horn!
Merv G. from NJ, 2/09: Don't even try anything else. My SIMA is great! Roman W. from Switz, 2/09: The horn is great, I am doing the show Hairspray here in Switzerland right now and got a lot of positive feedback from the band since I switched to the SIMA! It's an amazing horn, rich clean sound with great core and focus, very even blow through all registers and great intonation. It slots very well and plays really easy and very efficient. For me the best trumpet I ever played. Tom R. from Toronto, 12/08: It is three weeks since my SIMA arrived, and I haven't picked up my old horn since. A clean and precise sound; technical tonguing is a breeze; and the range from bottom F# to super C and above requires no effort...really. There are "secrets" to playing this horn. One has to relax and let the air "drift through" the horn. Whether one is playing 1st or 4th, the clarity of this horn ensures an overall increase in the clarity of the entire section. The only "drawback" is that because it is in tune throughout the entire range, players that aren't monitoring their intonation can drive one to distraction! John Liddle from Toronto, 11/08: Thanks for your new SIMA trumpet; it’s AMAZING!!! For the last two weeks, I have played it exclusively and everyone has noticed my new sound. Within ten minutes on my new Superchops 2 mouthpiece and SIMA trumpet it was obvious that there was no comparison to my old instrument. Improved attack, centre of sound, intonation and consistent column of sound in all registers made playing difficult passages effortless. Just two days after receiving your trumpet and mouthpiece I played a major recital to an audience that was familiar with my sound. They all thought it was one of my best performances. I have since played the SIMA as a soloist in big bands, concert bands and church services with every performance sounding great. Your SIMA trumpet with the Superchops 2 mouthpiece is the finest combination that I have ever played. Jerome, you have truly created the Holy Grail of trumpets! Brad L. from Md, 11/08: Plays like butter....mmmmmm The SIMA was the best horn at the Maryland Trumpet Days for ME because it just fit well. It had a good solid core, slots were in tune from below the staff to as high as I could play; it blew very "even". The sound was consistent even at a low volume, er, effort, which would let you play strong all night without overblowing. It responded very well. I heard no bad comments about the horn at all. Anyone who doubted it, all they had to do was stand in front of it to hear the quality of sound. I've played the Jazz, and the Superchops before, but this SIMA is the best of the bunch! Peter N. from Pa, 11/08: I fell in love with the Sima and now it really is just a matter of convincing my wife to let me buy one! Tom R. from Toronto, 11/08: We did a concert today and when I walked into the building John Liddle was warming up on his new SIMA. Even through a closed door one could tell the sound was completely different: big, focused and clean. At the concert, John did a solo and I have to say that he sounded 200-300% better than on the other horns. Clean, precise, and focused even in this big auditorium with high ceilings. Fast and accurate 16th notes, in tune with itself, too. John has already blown two of the other top lead players in the city for a loop. I'll settle for a 100% improvement! I think that when I get mine there will be a number of additional orders, but we will have to see. Anders from Sweden, 11/08: The SIMA is a gem, a fabulous horn. Gil W. from Mo, 10/08: Well, I just got my new
Callet SIMA delivered yesterday. Had a special opening ceremony
The
verdict: the SIMA is the best trumpet I have ever played. This is what I
have always been looking for. I'm glad I waited. I don't really have all the
words. I would describe the sensation as a "silky smooth core". I fill it
easily with no sensation of stuffiness. It rings from ppp to fff. Soft notes
are much easier for me. The harmonics in every valve combination are as
perfect as I have ever heard. The slots are locked in all the way up (high G
last night...I'm too outta shape for dubbas right now), yet slurs between the
partials are almost effortless: The easy shakes left me grinning from ear to
ear. As I moved between styles it was clear that this is a beautiful
classical horn as well as lead/jazz instrument. It should be great at
churches and weddings. Going back and forth between my 6310z and the SIMA
really revealed the improvement in efficiency -.even more than the Shew
design. It has the same beautiful harmonics as the Jazz, just much easier for
me to fill. My wife says it sounded the best, hands down (after 6 years she
knows what sounds good!). Alan C. from Va, 10/08: I got the SIMA trumpet late yesterday and spent the rest of the evening playing it. As you know, I already have one of the best trumpets that money can buy. But as you told me, "Try the SIMA and you will sell your other trumpet". That is just what I am going to do except I'm going to clean it up and lay it away as a collectors item. The SIMA is, without doubt, the best horn I have ever played. It has beautiful tonal quality and plays consistently and in-tune throughout the registers. Pedal tones are right there and the notes like F and G above High-C just jump out of the horn. I played passages of different songs on both horns with my wife critically listening and in every case they sounded better and were easier to play on the SIMA. My wife and I played several duets to see how well it sounded with another horn and it sounded wonderful. And thank goodness I don't have to mess with the first valve slide anymore. The low D's and C sharps are in tune for the first time in my life without having to push them around. You have done all of us trumpet players a great service in your 5-year study of the great horns and then creating a single horn with all of their best qualities! Manny G. from Fl, 10/08: I have been vacationing and recording in the state of Florida and play my new SIMA trumpet every day. I absolutely love this trumpet! It has improved my sound, intonation, and range big time. Wow!! Thank you for your constant pursuit of the perfect trumpet. I am preparing for my new vocal and solo trumpet recording release and feel ever more confident and ready thanks to your teachings and now the SIMA trumpet. David P. from Nv, 10/08: I played the SIMA the last 2 nights with Donny & Marie in their show at the Flamingo. The SIMA is incredibly responsive. Intonation is superb, overall a lot of enjoyment playing the horn. Moreover, even though I've only played the horn 4 days, little adjustment is required. The SIMA is pure center and core with focus and brilliance! It is my opinion that the horn is going to aid and add to all areas deficient in one's playing. I absolutely love the SIMA!! Thank you so much Jerome for your dedication, passion, and love of the trumpet & students. Terry S. from NY, 10/08: I saw Jerry yesterday and got to play both the silver and lacquer models. I am now on the list for one of the next batch he has on order! I agree with everything that has been written. I normally use words like bright or dark to describe a horn's sound. Jerry likes to call this sound rich; I think this is a better description. The sound is not shrill or edgy, but also not dull or spread. The sound remains consistent going from middle to higher register. The f-g above high c sounds like the middle register in terms of tone quality. Comparing it to my King Liberty - they both play well in tune and have great response, but the Liberty tends to get brighter above high c (more edge). Also, the SIMA has a fatter sound throughout due partly to the slightly larger bore than the Liberty. I also like how it feels in my hands -very nice balance. The valves are slightly forward and I like the size and feel of the bell. I was not really in the market, especially for a horn in this price range, but I think these horns will eventually become highly sought after. He has been selling these to pro's as well. (in NYC and in Vegas). Kyle -you were right - this is an amazing trumpet. David P. from NV, 10/08: I played the SIMA tonight on the Blues Brother gig. The guys in the band said that it was really bright, clean, and cutting. All good - especially for this type of high volume performance situation. The SIMA horn is really easy to play and plenty of sizzle!!!! It's a different sound all together. Very unique, I'm very impressed - but not surprised. Congratulations Jerome. The SIMA plays with a gorgeous tone. Vern T. from Wa, 10/08: I received the SIMA yesterday. It is an amazing horn. I was amazed at how easy it plays from the very first moment I played it. I had some trouble playing my Olds Super in the big band last Saturday because I found myself overblowing out of habit. I could play my JAZZ and C7 fine though (they allow more overblowing?). Then I played the SIMA last night. It is even easier to play than the JAZZ and C7. It is incredibly responsive. The tone is very consistent throughout the entire range. It is as easy to play down low as the JAZZ. It's like it's not a medium bore horn (at least with the SC2 mouthpiece). My son listened to me play the SIMA, the Olds Super, my JAZZ and Lawler C7. The Sima has a bigger sound than all of them! Thank you for designing such a great trumpet!! Ken B. from NC, 10/08: My Sima arrived yesterday afternoon. I played a few notes on it and thought, hm-m-m, this seems pretty good. I took it to two different rehearsals last night and after that, I thought, whoa dude, this horn is ridiculous. For the first hour, I was playing way too hard. Then, it dawned on me what I was doing. I was treating this horn like all my other .470 bore horns. (If I was a little quicker, I would have noticed this in just a few minutes). Here's the thing...oh, sure, the intonation is perfect and the sound is focused, but not overly so, and the horn projects incredibly well. The remarkable thing is the noticeably small amount of effort it takes to play the SIMA. I think the technical experts call this low impedance. At any rate, once I powered down on the air volume and overall effort, everything worked even better. IMO, Jerome was not exaggerating when he said this was his best horn ever. Great job Jerome Callet! Kyle S. from Pa, 9/08: I played the horn live in my combo tonight and, if possible, I love it even more! I was so confident going in that I didn’t even pack my old horn in the car. Sure didn’t need it. The SIMA was perfectly in tune, incredibly powerful, and gorgeous. I didn’t tell anyone I had a new horn and still got LOTS of compliments on how well I was playing. But I didn’t need the compliments, I KNEW the sound was the best ever, by a lot!
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