Trumpet for Symphonic Playing

Brickmaster7398 · Regular Member Joined: 06 Apr 2015 Posts: 20

So I'm thinking of getting a new trumpet and I was wondering if you guys could offer me some advice. I don't want to spend more than $1000 and it will mostly be used for symphonic music and possibly some big band. The obvious answer seems to be a Bach Strad 37, but I was wondering if any vintage trumpets would fit the bill. I really like the older horns for some reason, mainly these (and especially the ones with an asterisk):
Buescher 400 and Aristocrat
Conn Connstellation* and 22B*
Getzen Eterna Severinsen*
King Liberty* and Silver Flair*
LeBlanc
Olds Special and Super
However, I'm not sure if I'll be able to blend well with these instruments. A lot of people say many of these play fairly bright. Or would my mouthpiece choice be more important? Let me know what you think. Thanks

dmamazon · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 6:41 pm Post subject:

If you like the vintage horns you could probably find a Reynolds Contempora for a good price it would be my top pick(was their top line "symphonic" style horn). I test drove one for a couple weeks and it outplayed my 37 strad....and was a touch darker with a bigger sound than my strad.
Other than that I would say these horns would fit the bill:
Holton T101 Symphony
Getzen Renaissance
Olds Ambassador(yes)
Olds OPERA

I'm sure some other THers will pipe in with their favorites:)

bagmangood · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 8:29 pm Post subject:

Somewhat surprising to their (Current) reputation, Benges can actually work quite nicely in the orchestra. Benges were originally primarily used by orchestral players and do still work.

Definitely a different vibe than a Bach but can definitely work (I don't get along with Bach Bbs usually so I actually use a Benge atm).
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marnix · Veteran Member Joined: 16 Feb 2014 Posts: 212

All the trumpets you mention would do the trick, as long as you have the right idea about sound allready in your mind.
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Tony Scodwell · Heavyweight Member Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 1961

I would certainly look at Kessler and Sons website to check out their new Kessler Custom line. Rose brass bell, sterling silver leadpipe and play tested prior to delivery for an unbelievable price under $1200. Beautiful case with it as well and made to the highest standards. Clear lacquer, silver plate or raw brass.
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www.scodwellusa.com

Dennis78 · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2015 8:51 am Post subject:

Holton B47 "symphony" like mine
Holton Revelation, early model
Or use your current horn
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supportlivejazz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 3757

Brickmaster7398 · Regular Member Joined: 06 Apr 2015 Posts: 20

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll take a look at your suggestions. I don't think I want to use my current horn though, because it's a student model. And I've been told I play very brightly so I'm looking for something that will make it a bit easier to play with a darker sound.

uglylips · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2015 2:58 pm Post subject:

Consider a vintage Bach 72. I use mine in the orchestra often and it works very well.

supportlivejazz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 3757

I am not a symphony player, but it seems I have read / heard that the older Courtois and French LeBlanc trumpets from the 60s and 70s are well thought of for their build quality and their symphonic qualities. I've owned a couple of LeBlancs from that era and they are fine trumpets, just not suited to me.
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derekthor · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2015 4:10 pm Post subject:

I'm using an Olds Super right now, and the sound is right on the money. I've been using it in wind ensemble, brass quintet, and brass ensemble, and it's fitting in just fine. When I play duets with my teacher, I'm not finding it difficult to match his sound. A lot will depend on the mouthpiece you use, I use an ACB MV3C for all my classical needs. As far as big band goes, it'll do the trick just fine.

nigelcathey · New Member Joined: 25 Apr 2015 Posts: 6

you should be able to blend pretty well with the leblanc

jmax · Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:44 pm Post subject:

Vintage CG Conn 22b (early ones were known as the New York Symphony model). Versatile horn, responds well to different mouthpieces (dark and smokey to brassy and bright depending on mouthpiece).

And a good example is a few hundred bucks. (The 22b was Conn's Pro Level horn before CG Conn became Conn.)

Great under-rated horn.
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64 & 73 Getzen Severinsen
A bunch of Olds Ambassadors
57 Conn 22B
25 King Liberty
30s? New Era
81 Courtois C
42 King Master Model Cornet
14 Getzen Field Trumpet
10 King Ballad Horn

Brickmaster7398 · Regular Member Joined: 06 Apr 2015 Posts: 20

I think I'm going to go with the Conn 22B. What are the differences between the generations as I see there are three distinct 22B's?

And, just curious, I have a side question. Is this a complete list of every company that sold trumpets (that's worth knowing about)?

jmax · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 9:19 pm Post subject:

1st generation AKA New York Symphony Pro level (at the time). They had an early version and late version. Had a threaded 3rd valve stop rod. And early one in silver just sold on eBay for $199. The New York Symphony model was made from 1922 - 1952. A New York Symphony Special model was made from 1934 - 1941.

2nd generation - AKA Victor: Pro Level (at the time). Under-rated horn, no third valve stop rod. Made from 1953 to the early 70s. Conn was sold in 69, so the ones after that are less desirable.

3rd generation - 1995 (I think) on: Student horn.

As one who really likes horns from the 20s and 30s, you need to be aware that condition is everything - some of these horns are basket cases. And every now and then you'll find one that some one played for a year or two and then stuffed it in a closet for 50 or 60 years. I've had both experiences and the later is much preferable to the first.

If you do eBay, most of the sellers of vintage horns have no idea what they are selling. Look at the pictures and when bidding, only bid what you are prepared to lose - unless the seller has a no-hassle return policy.

When buying horns, I always have a budget that I don't deviate from: A) Maximum bid price and B) Repair/refurbish price. When added together, I make sure that they are slightly less than current sold prices of really good examples of the horn I want to get. I generally don't lose money using this system, and sometimes even make a couple of bucks.

Be patient. The horn is out there, sometimes it just takes a few months to find. Or years (It took almost 3 years for me to find a 20s King Liberty I wanted to keep - but the horn I ended up with was so worth the wait (and the five Liberties I bought before I bought this one.))

Happy hunting.
_________________
64 & 73 Getzen Severinsen
A bunch of Olds Ambassadors
57 Conn 22B
25 King Liberty
30s? New Era
81 Courtois C
42 King Master Model Cornet
14 Getzen Field Trumpet
10 King Ballad Horn

hackney_wick · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 12:01 am Post subject:

Delete

Craig Swartz · Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2015 5:32 am Post subject:

If you're going to use a Bb (and you probably won't for long if you're really getting into orchestra music), the nice thing about a good, used Bach 37 is that you can easily get rid of it without losing money if it doesn't do what you want it to. On the other hand, if you want to go the big band or jazz route as well, it'll easily be versatile enough with mouthpiece tweaking to be your go-to horn. (And I'll state up-front that I do not play Bach horns regularly.) A lot of the other horns listed are fine but some are going to niche people and harder to move if you don't like them. Most also cost more than a grand when new, too. (So does the Bach)

majdan · Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 3:17 am Post subject:

I play a '57 22B Victor and just love it.
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Conn 22B Trumpet
Conn 20A flugelhorn
King Liberty Trumpet
King Master Cornet

oxleyk · Heavyweight Member Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 4180

What kind of a group do you play in?

Kent

James Becker · Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 5:42 am Post subject:

Here's an idea that might work well for you.

Since the Getzen Severinsen is well suited for big band with it's ability to produce a brilliant "commercial" sound you could acquire an extra tuning slide for an Eterna II 700S. Switching from nickel inner slides to gold brass will tame the harder edge of the original slide and help produce a much warmer "classical" sound on the Severinsen.

We have this Eterna II 700S slide in stock should anyone be interested in this option.

The inverse also works well by brightening up an Eterna II with nickel slide tubes on the main tuning slide.

FWIW I recently acquired a genuine time capsule .458" Getzen Severinsen main in silver plate tuning slide with lever key (pre Amado era) if anyone be interested, just let me know.
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Osmun Music Inc.
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