Cannonball Musical Instruments

Cannonball Musical Instruments
Musical Instrument Manufacturer
Industry Musical instruments
Founded 1996
Founder Tevis and Sheryl Laukat
Headquarters Sandy, Utah
Area served
 Global
Products Woodwind instruments, Brass instruments
Website http://cannonballmusic.com

Cannonball Musical Instruments is a manufacturer of saxophones, clarinets, trumpets, flutes, and musical instrument accessories. The company was founded in 1996 by musicians Tevis and Sheryl Laukat, and is based in Sandy, Utah.[1] Cannonball specializes in professional, handmade, and uniquely "acoustically hand customized" instruments.[2][3]

Saxophones

Cannonball Musical Instruments first began as a saxophone manufacturer. Cannonball saxophones in current production are student Alcazar, intermediate Sceptyr, and professional Big Bell Stone Series, Vintage Series, and Key Artist Series models,[4] are made in a variety of finishes including The Brute (aged brass), Raven (iced black), Mad Meg (bare brass), and Hotspur (iced black and iced silver).[5][6][7]

Historical List of Saxophone Models

Hand-engraved models

Most professional Cannonball saxophone models are hand engraved at the Utah facility, and are categorized as Unlimited or Limited.[8]

Unlimited
Limited

A limited hand-engraving series for alto and tenor Vintage Reborn Series saxophones is made concurrently with the unlimited Pete Christlieb engravings. Chronologically, the limited engraving series to date are:

The very first Pete Christlieb models were a limited series with an engraving motif of smoke and flames coming from a drag racer as a nod to one of Christlieb's interests.[10]

Serial Numbers and Manufacturing Dates of Saxophone Models

A detailed list of serial numbers and approximate manufactured dates of Cannonball saxophones is available at the Serial Number Chronology page.

Trumpets

After about a decade of manufacturing saxophones, Cannonball introduced a trumpet line.[11] Cannonball trumpets currently in production include professional Artist Series, Big Bell Stone Series, and Lynx; semi-professional Sceptyr; and student Alcazar.

Professional Models

42 Artist Series

Made in the USA and introduced in 2014, Cannonball's Artist Series trumpets include 42 (Bb), 42C (C), and 779 (flugelhorn) in various finishes. These received multiple industry awards soon after their release.[12][13]

Big Bell Stone Series

There are two professional models of Big Bell Stone Series trumpets. The Big Bell 725 series has a 4.921" (125mm) bell, and the Bavarian Lion reverse leadpipe 789RL series has a 5.315" (135mm) bell. Both have a medium-large 0.459" (11.66mm) bore and are hand-built in Germany.[14]

Lynx

The Lynx 688LX-S series, also made in Germany, is a pro model designed for lead trumpet players with a unique leadpipe, 4.803" (122mm) bell, and medium-large 0.459" (11.66mm) bore.[15]

Other Models

A silver-plated semi-professional model, the Sceptyr, was added in 2014.[16] The student model Alcazar trumpet was introduced in 2013, with availability limited to lacquer finish.[16]

Clarinets

Cannonball Arezzo clarinets were added in 2008,[17] and include student Zeloso, semi-pro Fiore, professional Veloce, and premium professional Piacere models.[18] Cannonball also produces various designs of clarinet barrels and bells in cocobolo and grenadilla.[19]

Flutes

Cannonball introduced its full line of Mio flutes in 2013, including professional, intermediate, and student C flutes; professional and student piccolos; alto flutes; and bass flutes.[20][21][22] Intermediate and solid-silver professional Mio flutes are supplied with both a standard silver-plated crown and a "Royal Crown" made of titanium with an inlaid dome-shaped stone.[23][24][25]

Patents

Cannonball owns many design patents and utility patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, protecting its innovations such as the Fat Neck and the use of semi-precious stones.[26][27]

Artists

Cannonball instruments are endorsed by over 150 musicians[28] such as:

The Cannonball Band

To show their company is run by musicians,[34] Cannonball ownership and staff compose, record, and produce music videos of live and studio recordings. Most songs are composed by CEO Sheryl Laukat, with others by Gordon Goodwin and Vince Norman. Performances feature President Tevis Laukat and staff Ryan Lillywhite, Randal Clark, and Daron Bradford on saxophones, and Ryan Laukat and Howard Summers on trumpet.[35]

In January 2013, the Band performed with other Cannonball artists at the Cannonball Artist NAMM Jam hosted by Gerald Albright in conjunction with the NAMM Show.[36]

References

  1. ↑ Enright, Ed (August 2007). "Cannonball's Ascent". Music Inc. Magazine: 26.
  2. ↑ Warchol, Glen (16 November 2003). "Quality is instrumental to Utah business' success". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. E6.
  3. ↑ Sollitto, Zach (May 2014). "What to Look For in Today's Professional Model Saxophones". Downbeat: 80.
  4. ↑ Cannonball saxophone models webpage
  5. ↑ Jazzwise Magazine, retrieved 25 September 2009
  6. ↑ Cannonball saxophone finishes webpage
  7. ↑ Phillips, Zach (May 2010). "Brute Force". Music Inc. Magazine: 99.
  8. ↑ Cannonball Saxophone Tour - Engraving webpage
  9. ↑ Cannonball Hand Engraving webpage
  10. ↑ Pete Christlieb Bio webpage
  11. ↑ "Sax maker Cannonball adds Stone Series Pro trumpets". Music Trades Magazine. June 2005.
  12. ↑ "Editor's Choice Awards". Music Inc.: 83. March 2014.
  13. ↑ "Best of the NAMM Show 2014". Downbeat: 72. April 2014.
  14. ↑ "Bavarian Lion's Dark Roar". Downbeat: 84. April 2013.
  15. ↑ "Let's Hear it for the Band!". The Music Trades: 76. September 2013.
  16. 1 2 Cannonball trumpets webpage
  17. ↑ "Cannonball Attacks a Bigger Battlefield". Music Trades Magazine. May 2008.
  18. ↑ Cannonball clarinets webpage
  19. ↑ Cannonball clarinet barrels & bells webpage
  20. ↑ "Flute Expansion". Downbeat: 70. April 2013.
  21. ↑ Cannonball blog: flute introduction
  22. ↑ "Introducing Mio". Music Inc.: 55. June 2013.
  23. ↑ Mio flutes webpage
  24. ↑ "Retail Holiday Gift Guide". The Music Trades: 77. September 2013.
  25. ↑ "Gear: Pro Flute". Music Inc. Magazine: 76. August 2007.
  26. ↑ "Patents". Salt Lake Tribune. 21 July 2009.
  27. ↑ Patents.com, retrieved 25 September 2009
  28. ↑ Cannonball artists webpage
  29. ↑ Gerald Albright FAQ webpage
  30. ↑ YouTube video of Branford playing Cannonball Alto
  31. ↑ NSCQ links webpage
  32. ↑ Raul Agraz equipment webpage
  33. ↑ Winston Byrd artist page
  34. ↑ blog introducing Cannonball Run song
  35. ↑ Cannonball YouTube playlist of Cannonball Band songs
  36. ↑ "Cannonball Musical Instruments and Gerald Albright Bring a Taste of NAMM to Spaghettini". Smooth Jazz News: 24. February 2013.

External links

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