Downbeat’s Review of the Phaeton PHT-2060 Trumpet

Balanced Response, Snazzy Appearance, Satisfying Sound

From my first glimpse of the PHT-2060 B-flat Trumpet, I responded immediately with a visceral jolt from its black copper antique finish. The flowing mix of brass, copper and brushed nickel throughout the horn creates a distinctly raw, expressive presence. The rare matte-like multi-color finish carries a steam-punk quality that makes ho-hum silver and brass seem quaint. The overall look and feel of the design gives the impression of some foreboding music-producing weapon, forged in an oddly sophisticated basement foundry by Christian Bale’s version of the Dark Knight.

After my initial visual inspection of the PHT-2060, I embraced the beautiful beast. And, I soon discovered that this horn that defies traditional expectations and social norms—this confident character of an instrument that could promote itself as hipster-snazzy—performed quite well once I actually played some music.

The trumpet feels substantial to hold, but light when playing. Without any serious effort, I could produce a smooth colorful sound that filled the room, resonating much louder than I expected. I particularly appreciated the low-resistance air flow, which sure would come in handy when I get carried away with exuberant choreography on the bandstand and suddenly realize I have a shout chorus coming my way.

The most important factor for me revolves around the ability to produce a warm tone with rich timbre. Aside from the joy of melodic soundwaves that engulf my soul like a reassuring hug, I also enjoy sitting on fat swing notes, laying way, way back as Basie intended, or even simulating drifting half-thoughts in the spirit of Miles Davis. While I found the overall sound I could produce leaned more medium-warm, its bold fullness added a layer that reverberated with a rich spirit. And, the resonant sound remained remarkably consistent in the lower and upper registers.

The valves consist of Monel pistons with rose brass ports and brass springs, with a decent response and solid feel. As a bonus, the trumpet comes with three weighted mouthpiece receivers (screw-in inserts)—made from stainless steel, aluminum and bronze—to provide additional balance and pressure to the desired comfort level of the player. I quite enjoyed the heaviest weight, possibly because the instrument feels lighter overall than my usual horn. Ultimately, the weight provided a decent anchor and a bit more control for me. It’s nice to have such options to match players’ varying preferences.

Overall, the PHT-2060 offers a respectable professional instrument, with an ease of play, well-balanced response, striking appearance and a satisfying, full sound.

—Dan Gorski, Downbeat Magazine, April 2019

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