Which new Bach models do you recommend right now?

DLA

I realize that Bach trumpet manufacturing has made some very good instruments over the years and also some no-so-good horns, with quality and craftsmanship declining. My question is for those of you that have recently played lots of new professional Bach models. Which models are the very best right now? I realize the importance of play-testing each horn but I'd like to quickly eliminate inferior models and specifically try Bach's best models right now. Thanks for the advice and opinions.
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Bach NY7 (180S77) Bb
Bach Strad C
Schilke E3L Eb/D
Yamaha Custom Pic
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Xeno 8620 Yamaha Eb Sop. Cornet

Jay2015trumpet · Regular Member Joined: 29 May 2015 Posts: 74

190 series all the way...any will make your playing easier, just depends on what genre/environment you'll be using it in...ymmv

cheiden · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 12:58 pm Post subject:

I don't think I ever heard anyone say that quality issues plagued any particular model or models. For some years of manufacture, quality appears to have been more unpredictable, though it sounds like things are better now. I'd choose a model not on which is better or which has fewer quality issues. I'd pick it based on desired sound, how it feels, and how you want to use it.
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Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
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TKSop · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 1:03 pm Post subject:

Dayton · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 1:33 pm Post subject:

theslawdawg · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 1:35 pm Post subject:

Winghorn · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 1:52 pm Post subject:

There are variations among Bach instruments, just as there are among any essentially hand made products. For example, when the human hand spins a bell, the day by day differences in the amount of pressure on the tool because the worker is a human being makes every bell unique.

There are no inferior model Bach trumpets per se, just slight variations among various instruments such that one or the other suits the player best. You have to play before buying.

EdMann · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 3:29 pm Post subject:

Ed Kennedy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 3187

It depends on what kind of player you are, what kind of music you are playing, and what kind of resistance you prefer. for example, many great lead players of yore played the 72* including Wayne Bergeron, Allen Vizzuti, and many of the NYC studio players in the '60's and '70's. LA studio man Warren Leuning (RIP) played a standard 43. Chicago lead player Danny Barber plays a standard 37 (last I heard) the same horn played in trumpet studios all over the world. Go figure. I have an old friend, a fine lead, jazz and classical player who plays an Artisian Bb for lead work and prrefers his Xeno for classical.

RandyTX · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 3:53 pm Post subject:

RandyTX

Crazy Finn · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 6:16 pm Post subject:

Jon Arnold · Heavyweight Member Joined: 07 Jan 2002 Posts: 2025

I play a Bach Commercial and love it. I also like the 190 37 and the Bach Mariachi trumpet a lot.

Winghorn · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 6:55 pm Post subject:

I was referring to the Strad models only, as the OP wanted comments from players who have played a lot of new PROFESSIONAL (emphasis added) Bach models. The TR models are not marketed as professional models. Seemed clear to me...

TrumpetMD

zaferis · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 5:21 am Post subject:

Since the strike and reorganizing of the Bach factory - things have gotten a lot better - focussed again on quality not quantity.

190 series.. 50th Anniversary, 100 anniversary models and the commercial model are excellent..

I've played 37's for decades - picked up a 19037 Anniversary Model and loved it so much that I bought it immediately.
Then on a whim, bought a commercial model, because I was doing a lot more commercial work.. love it, couldn't be happier.

I had the opportunity, last summer to visit the factory, where they had dozens of new trumpets layed out for demo - I literally played 6 tables worth of Bachs (Bb, C, picc) playing them all and at first blush didn't find a single one that I wouldn't concider buying.
Yes, I'm a Bach Endorsing Artist, but that is because after years of playing Bachs I thought I might as well apply to carry that title.

As Ted Waggonner said, "Bach doesn't suck anymore"

You may not like Bach's but the excuse of inconsistecy, "can't find a good one", is no longer relevant.
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HERMOKIWI · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 2581

The model LT180S77 (also known as the New York 7/7) is a wonderful horn everyone seems to love. I played one owned by a friend of mine and I thought it was the most responsive and easiest to play Bach I'd ever played and it produces a beautiful sound, too.

I have never been a Bach player but I collect trumpets and have a Mt. Vernon 37, a Mt. Vernon 43, an Elkhart 72* and an Elkhart 25 large bore so I do have some Bach horns that I used as a comparison. If I was going to buy a new Bach it would be the New York 7/7 for sure.

Disclosure: I'm a jazz improvisation soloist. I never play anything but jazz.
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HERMOKIWI

lgt0412 · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 8:49 am Post subject:

I'll echo what many others have said. The 190 models are all great horns. Just depends on you specifically as to which one will be best for the individual. I have owned 2 LR19043Bs and they are 2 of the best horns I have ever played. I have gotten a chance to play a ton of Bachs over 30ish years and the horns (all models) that have been coming out for the last 3-4 years are worlds above the stuff from the previous 10-15 years. Phenomenal horns they are making these days!!!!
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boog · Veteran Member Joined: 04 Jun 2014 Posts: 247

Recently got my 2nd Strad I have ever had, a 180/37. Got it in an even trade for an LA Benge C that I bought new back in 1975 or so. I really don't need a C for ANYTHING in the area where I live now (not even church music, as when I grew up, trumpet players were EXPECTED to be able to transpose), and even the local symphony flies in it's players from other areas of the country, so playing opportunities are pretty much limited to community concert band, jazz band, Easter and Christmas gigs, and the (very) occasional studio gig around here!

This Strad 180 was built within the last 3 years according to the serial number. It plays, and sounds right up there with the best trumpets I have ever owned. Originally, I had intended to sell it as Strads are MUCH easier to market than antique C trumpets, and the Benge I had for years was pristine. I could have gotten roughly twice the money for the Bach.

But, after playing it for a few weeks, it has become a keeper!

I would say that Bach's late model instruments play better than the one I had that was made in the mid-90's. Of course, this is a subjective opinion, and you know what they say about opinions!

Cheers, Dave

onlyson · Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2018 9:45 am Post subject:

I had the opportunity to play the 50th Anniversary a couple of years ago at the Chicago trumpet hang. I thought it was one of the best horns I had ever played. And I've owned a LOT of horns in the last 12 years. I should have bought that particular one, because I then ordered one online and it was the tightest blowing horn I've ever experienced. My neck muscles hurt after 30 minutes of playing. It was a very weird experience. So I sent it back and had another sent to me. Same thing.

A year later I tried again with a used 190 from here on TH. The blow was better but the sound was dead. Sent it back. And then last week I played a few notes on one that was at a Conn-Selmer booth at a local concert. Same thing. Tight blow and dead sound.

Don't know what I played at the hang, but it seems to have been an anomaly. God bless you guys that have found ones that work for you.
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