Plastic Trumpets

[DNMH]

What is the current "best" plastic trumpet?

[iiipopes]

None. For $150, the price of a "new" plastic trumpet, you can get something like an old King Cleveland, Holton Collegiate, or a number of other horns that will play so much better, including this Olds Ambassador in the marketplace: https://www.trumpetherald.com/marketplace.php?task=detail&id=103195&s=TRUMPET--Olds-Ambassador
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King Super 20 Trumpet; Sov 921 Cornet
Bach cornet modded to be a 181L clone
Couesnon Flugelhorn and C trumpet

[Didymus]

[Smokin Joe]

I'd like to have one!

[roynj]

Every time I get the notion to sell off my plastic Tromba trumpet, I pick it up and play it for a while, and then realize that I kind of like the thing. That being said, I agree with the earlier poster who suggested that one might do better with a good Olds ambassador or 50s or 60s conn or holton. Good can be cheap.

[theslawdawg]

[ProAm]

What do you mean by "best"?

I have tried Tiger, Allora (Tromba), and pTrumpet. I prefer the only one that is all plastic, the pTrumpet.

I wanted a plastic trumpet for its lightness and relative durability to easily carry around for certain situations. The Allora is relatively heavy with its standard valves and leadpipe. And its plastic seems very brittle and easily breakable. However, the Allora is probably the closest to sounding like a metal trumpet.

The Tiger has - what, aluminum valves? They seem awfully problematic and the horn, to me, is the worst sounding of the three.

I have and use the pTrumpet every now and then. It has given me no trouble and is very easy to take along. I find it useful in my situation.

[Tritone]

The answer depends on what you're looking for.

First, if you're looking for something that is light in weight, won't make you sell a family member if it gets stolen, and doesn't require a lot of care, a plastic horn may work just fine for you. If not, a conventional horn would be a better choice. I settled on the Allora (Tromba) from the various makes available, and for a horn that meets these needs, it's not that bad.

That said, this is certainly NOT my main horn. The valves are not fast and they clank. The horn is only plastic, so it may not stand up to a a trombonist sitting on it. The intonation isn't awful, surprisingly to me. Accordingly, I would never perform on a plastic axe unless there were a truly compelling reason for doing so, and I surely hope that one never arises -- but maybe you have something else in mind (like vacation use, a trip to a high-theft part of the world, a gift for someone who is happy to simply make trumpet-ish noise, etc.).

[OldKing]

These things are the single biggest change, in my mind, since I picked the horn back up after a decades-long sabbatical.

'Don't own one, but I'm already over them. Stupid. The guy borrowing one down the line at rehearsal tonight was commenting on how it matched his shoes.

I'm out.
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For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? - 1 Cor 14:8

[iiipopes]

[blbaumgarn]

I bought one over a year ago while I was looking for a pro type horn to restart after a logn layoff. They will wear out pretty quick. Mine was missing a cork in one of the spit valves. I would do as the people who recommend finding something cheaper in real brass are saying. You should be able to find someting passable just by hitting a few pawn shops or finding one in the marketplace here. That's just MHO

[O00Joe]

I have an Allora/Tromba C trumpet that I use for busking and when I play with a particular group that has pretty rowdy gigs. It is in tune with itself but it is flat even with the slide all the way in. Plays about as well as a beginner or perhaps intermediate instrument.
_________________
1981 Bb Bach Stradivarius 37/25 ML raw - Laskey 60C
2003 C Bach Stradivarius 239/25A L silver - Stork Vacchiano 4C25C
2006 Bb/A Schilke Piccolo P5-4 silver - Reeves A adaptor - Stork SM SP6
Akai MPC Live II
Roland JD-Xi
Casio MT-68

[giakara]

I v got a allora cornet for my son and is not worh the money (170€) .

Regards
_________________
Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2015
Lawler TL6-1A Bb 2004
Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2003
Getzen eterna 910 C
Getzen eterna 850 cornet
Selmer Paris 3 valve picc
Yamaha 731 flugel
Carol mini pocket
Reeves/Purviance mpcs

[DNMH]

Thanks for your ideas. I bought the Tromba and find it works well in blending with the recordings I am using. My Bachs and Getzens are too overpowering with the recordings. At least the folks at the Assisted Living Campuses like it.

I just wondered if I could improve on the Tromba.

[Robert P]

[DNMH]

I am not looking for a comparison of horns, I have the Bachs, Benge, Getzens, etc. and play symphonically.

I just wanted to see if there is a 'best" plastic, because this Tromba blends best with my Bluetooth speakers, smartphone and George Lewis Tracks.

Think it would help if folks would just answer the question and not try to denigrate and educate.

[ProAm]

Ah, so you have a Tromba.

While I believe the Tromba may sound the "best" of the three I've tried, I chose the pTrumpet. The sound was good enough and the all-plastic construction made it the "best" for my intended usage.

[Robert P]

[cheiden]

[theslawdawg]