The NEW AG3K - a world class representation of AMERICAN engineering made in Burbank, California. It begins in our well equipped workshop where old world craftsmanship meets modern technology. From the spinning room to the tool room departments every part is designed for ABSOLUTE quality. It delivers a sophisticated design with new innovations. A Horn is more than a means by which you express yours
elf. It is your statement of BEING and takes your playing and therefore your life to a new level. Marvelously light, this horn has our new Uni-Body designed valve cluster that not only gives you a smoother air flow but more sound with less energy producing an elegance throughout the octaves. How is this possible? The answer is by eliminating the 6 connecting joints from the casings giving the air less turbulence. As we look at horn playing we are faced with many factors which I shall write about in no particular order and at different times. Sound projection is one of them and should be more instant with less forcing. The more you force the more tired you will become and the more tense you will become. This affects endurance and of course longevity. As we look at horn playing it becomes apparent to me that weight is of great importance. Whether sitting the horn on your leg or holding the horn off your leg the freedom of a lighter horn is significant. It allows you to unconsciously move the horn with your body and the instrument becomes part of your body as it should be. One of the biggest benefits is the freeing up of your shoulder and arm muscles which can tighten up your neck muscles and restrict your sound. This is an insidious process that is not recognized by players until it can injure them physically and mentally. AG3K is light however it has great depth and body and can pound a nail through the board. The Uni-Body valve section utilizes full sized (meaning not made with undersize casings and rotors to save weight) casing complimented with a full size aerodynamically designed HOLLOW ROTORS that are ergonomic in feel and the first of there kind. As a note it is our contention that hollow valve construction has been in error since the beginning of time (Yes, its only my opinion but I have made thousands of valves and who can say that!). Having recognized this the ATKINSON hollow rotors have been acoustically corrected to give this horn a full body sound and large air flow. The finely tuned balance of the horn is complimented by the hollow rotors giving unconscious freedom and relaxation to the player. After all Horn playing should be fun!! One size does not fit all so we have developed different bells and leadpipes to accommodate individual players requirements. AG3K offers heavy or standard weight valve caps with customized engraving to make it YOUR horn. After all the horn is a piece of ART and therefore worthy of individual accents. We invite all of you to test play and put your personality in the AG3K. Don"t Forget Atkinson AG2K and Legacy AK1930 both already popular models. The Atkinsons are a family of Horn players and Hornsmiths dating back since before 1964. Mark Atkinson's father Robert Atkinson played professionally and worked with Carl Geyer at every available opportunity and passed this legacy down to Mark. As a young boy Mark started working at his father's shop sweeping and cleaning tools and machines. Later in life he began his full-time career as a HORNSMITH. This career began in playing the Horn with great teachers such as Wendell Hoss, James Decker, and Vincent DeRosa and progressed with apprenticeship instrument building. Many of these skills were learned in college while others were through working in instrument factories with some of the best craftsman in the world. Through teachers and associates he learned the craft of REPAIRING and BUILDING Horns with exacting detail and personally has over 40 years of experience! GREAT HORNS made repeatedly each and every time! When you order an ATKINSON HORN this is what you expect and We Deliver On This Promise! The new “LEGACY SERIES” models AG2K & AK1930 are made to acoustical excellence with special attention to pitch, overtones, articulations, legato, dynamic range, and mechanical reliability. As these attributes are essential, we do not stop there. ATKINSON HORNS are meticulously made one at a time with finely fitted, stress-free joints; artful bracing; and polished to a mirror finish. Why stop there? The instruments have a wonderful balance: light in weight so when you stand, sit, or have bells up you will not fatigue. We employ both old-world techniques and modern computer technology, and we make our valves in house and are not dependent on European makers for any parts. Still not enough? Our slides are precision drawn for smooth pulling and we use only the finest in materials. As every note you play is critical thus every part we make is just as important so you can express your musicality with Atkinson Horns. We have a family tradition of excellence with over 50 years of experience. Our Motto: “Perfection takes time.”
Mark Atkinson personally had an opportunity to make a Geyer-style horn in the mid 80's. This opportunity was presented to him by meeting Bernard Marston, who was the first person in the U.S. to make precision valves. The greatest Geyer Horns had Marston valves. Before Mark had this opportunity, he had completed his own engineering for making valves. However, upon meeting Marston, Mark enlisted his expertise to further perfect them. He is one of the many craftsmen who helped in Mark’s training, and Mark purchased the tooling and blueprints to make new Geyer valves from Marston Specialties Co. Mr. Atkinson is committed to making all parts of his horns himself and in this way his workshop can deliver your Atkinson Horn in months instead of years. So after 20 years, hundreds and hundreds of earlier Horns produced, and an ocean of specialized tools and specialized machinery, he had finally undertaken the most sacred of Horn designs “The Geyer”. This first project was physically started in the year 2000, thus the model AG2000 (a.k.a. AG2K). This same exacting knowledge is incorporated into our NEW AK1930 and is apparent the first minute you play it. A 50 year old family tradition of Horn playing, Repairing and Horn building. “Perfection takes time!”
Unique Design:
Atkinson Legacy Series Double Horns have IN-LINE VALVES with the thumb valve/change rotor at the top or bottom of the valve section. Because of the in-line valve section our designs have velvety slurs, strong G and a lovely open high A; enhanced with pointed staccatos; and a warm rich sound with just the right amount of brilliance. The bends of our branches are very free flowing and smooth. The slide crooks are unique, especially the 3rd Bb crook that utilizes the traditional bends. Bells, First branches and Mouthpipes are of a specific size and taper designed especially for the in-line designs. Bells are hand cut, formed and spun to original Geyer dimensions. Our horns also feature branches that are soldered directly to the bell without the use of braces; which again is traditional in design and goes back to Baroque and Classical Horns. From birth, your Atkinson Horn is pampered like an infant all the way through adulthood into your hands; so that you the musician can express your utmost artistry and passion. Within seconds of picking up our Horns this statement will ring true!
