As luck would have it, I came across Donald Owen of Stomvi before the concert and borrowed a Stomvi Titan Soprano. It arrived just before Christmas; everything looked fine, but I was never into technical details. If it plays and sounds well, and is reasonably in tune - great! I inserted the mouthpiece and played a few notes. The sound was quite good and the instrument was very responsive - nice and solid in the upper register, with good intonation. could play high C relatively easily, so the instrument is free-blowing. Apparently there should have been some Maxi Clappers (‘add-ons’ to the valve bottoms) sent with the instrument, which were to arrive with Donald at Butlin’s.

The ‘add-ons’ that arrived with Donald are like flying saucers, which attach to the bottom of the first and third valves. I was sceptical! However, inside there are small tuned cymbals that vibrate against the harmonics of the instrument, making it morestable, easier blowing and more in tune - a bit akin to car engine turbo-boosters.

I attached the Maxi-clappers for Grimethorpe Reunion’s rehearsal and the difference was astounding: there was a sweet mellowness to the sound, ease of blowing and no harshness or brittleness. There seems to be a centralisation of the pitch of the notes. I played a duet with Mike Kilroy, and seasoned players remarked at the quality of sound and centralisation of the notes.

The concert was a great success, after which people talked about the sound of the sopranos - well, Gary Bates from Hammonds was the main player and also played a Stomvi with the ‘add-ons’; I just played along.
I could have done with this instrument 30 years ago!"