Alternatives to the Yamaha Chicago C trumpet

jaquesmetz · Regular Member Joined: 15 Jul 2011 Posts: 39

Hi TH'ers!

I'm currently play on a Yamaha Chicago Gen 1 C trumpet. I'm planning to buy a new horn in the near future.

I like the Yamaha Chicago very much - best trumpet I've ever had - but a new one is very expensive.

What are the alternatives to the Yamaha Chicago in the market?

PS.: when I say "alternatives" I refer to the same design characteristics (reverse leadpipe, large bore, bell configuration).
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Bb: Yamaha Chicago 9335 1st Gen
C: Yamaha 6445 HG II
Piccolo: Selmer 360B
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Geodude · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 4:08 am Post subject:

OK, I'll ask the dumb question. Why are you replacing the best trumpet you've ever had?

a.kemp · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 4:39 am Post subject:

I second the question: why replace?

But, very few make a similar model. And the ones that do, aren’t cheap.

1) There’s a Fred Powell C in the marketplace that closely resembles the features of a Yamaha.

2) Larson makes a similar horn too for $3400+

3) Get a Bach 229 and have a Malone MC1 pipe and tuning slide out on. Won’t really feel like a Yamaha at all.

benlewis · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 5:41 am Post subject:

I can recommend an idea that might help without costing a lot. Order a Chicago II tuning slide. It is more round than the Chicago I and improves the response. I discovered this while I owned a Chicago II and my BQ colleague swapped slides with his Chicago I. He ordered a Chicago II slide and had been using it exclusively since. You may need to have a technician fit the slide.

I have owned a Chicago prototype model, as well as both the Chicago I & II. I'm currently using an older Yamaha with a full Malone conversion and an old 229L with a Chicago II leadpipe and crook, a Larson conversion, and a valve refit by Jim Becker.

HTH

Ben