Advice for senior player

deejayjay · New Member Joined: 17 Jul 2018 Posts: 2

At 74 y.o., I am an intermediate trumpet player, with a student model, in a community band, and actually improving (with a good teacher). My budget allows for a professional model.

Problems:
1. Small city offers max of 4-5 horns, none professional level.
2. Wife’s illness precludes visiting ATL where there are plenty of horns for trial.

I probably will have to buy from an online retailer, used via TH, or eBay auction from a seller with a sterling feedback, obviously without a trial. Foolish? Helpful ideas?

deejayjay

Dale Proctor · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 12:23 pm Post subject:

Thoroughly research the models you're interested in, and buy from a reputable online seller that has a no-hassle return policy. It will cost you some extra shipping if you return it, but that's better than being stuck with an expensive trumpet you don't like.
_________________
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cheiden · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 2:45 pm Post subject:

Hard to go wrong with any Yamaha model. From beginner to pro model, most all of their horns that I've played are good or better. To save money an older 6000-series horn is a good bet. I'm particularly fond of the 6310Z Bobby Shew model.

While I remain a big Bach fan, my impressions of them are that you need to play a bunch to find the good ones. That could make it tough when you're not going to be able to sample a bunch.
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Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart

USCGRick · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 3:18 pm Post subject:

Depending on your budget you can’t beat the Getzen models out there. The Proteus. As a senior player myself I’ve had Getzens for years. For the price point they’re a good choice.
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Harrelson Bb VPS Summit One
Harrelson C VPS Summit

shofarguy · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 5:09 pm Post subject:

You've mentioned a few criteria in your post that make me think you might consider a Flip Oakes Legend.

Flip is a jazz and Dixieland trumpeter that has many decades of experience repairing instruments of all types, as a development player for the Kanstul musical Instrument Company and is the designer of some of the world's best brass instruments.

He operates his business on his own, using Kanstul as his manufacturer. Kanstul builds everything in-house in Anaheim, California and has the reputation of having the knowledge of the last great brass guru, Zig Kanstul.

The Legend is new. It's inspired by the Besson trumpets of the early 20th century. It's a very accessible design, meaning it's an easy fit for most trumpet players. It's also priced very reasonably. You get the expertise of Flip Oakes, including his Total Enhancement, which is akin to having an engine blueprinted.

That extra preparation means that you get the best instrument for the money and one that is consistent from example to example.

Plus, you'll likely make a friend. That's the best part.

p.s. You won't see the Legend or the new Inspiration on his website for another week or so.
_________________
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Flip Oakes Wild Thing Bb Trumpet in copper
Flip Oakes Wild Thing Flugelhorn in copper

There is one reason that I practice: to be ready at the downbeat when the final trumpet sounds.

yourbrass · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 6:33 pm Post subject:

Getzen, Yamaha, Kanstul, all good bets. Bach is more expensive because many people want one. Just make sure the valves of whatever model you buy are in very good condition. Then it will last for years w/proper care.
Good Luck!
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kehaulani · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 6:41 pm Post subject:

I concur with Dale.

I have bought a number of horns, both new and used, un-played from internet sellers. I have not bought an in-shop horn for several decades. They have all been excellent. It just depends on how you best react to one. For me, it was worth the extra bread in shipping to have the convenience.

For those listed in my signature, I never paid over $1,100.00 although I eventually had them worked on. Not because, though, there was anything wrong with them, just because I wanted to maximum them and could pay the extra money.

I also bought new from Schilke and Kanstul.
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Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
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Adams F-1 Flghn

Denny Schreffler · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 7:24 pm Post subject: Re: Advice for senior player

JetJaguar · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 7:26 pm Post subject:

There are many horns you could buy, from many different sources. If you have a price point in mind, state it and we'll suggest options, used and possibly new. If you aren't sure of your price because you aren't sure how much you need to spend to get something decent, that is understandable.

I'll say that you can get an Olds Ambassador, which will be used since they aren't made anymore, and not have to spend more than $400 or so. A reputable source said they are basically the same horn as one of the pro models from Olds, the Mendez.

At the high end, there are top of the line vintage instruments that start at around $1000, and can go up to $5K for a Committee or Super Recording. If you have a bigger bank role, you can spend maybe $3500 on a new professional horn. If you light cigars with $100 bills, there are Monettes and others in the tens of thousands.
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blbaumgarn · Heavyweight Member Joined: 26 Jul 2017 Posts: 705

Lots of good advice from other contributors. Yamaha makes good stuff and anything in the 6000 series in good shape would be gold. I have a strong liking for Getzen horns. They are built to last and they play well. You would not be disappointed in the Eterna Proteus if you decided to buy one. It's an all arounder. I want one, but I found a Pfund trumpet in the marketplace here a few months ago and it is just great. I think you could shop in TH's marketplace and make a deal with someone, too. I have made three purchases through it and everyone has been nice and also honest! Good Luck
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"There are two sides to a trumpeter's personality,
there is one that lives to lay waste to woodwinds and strings, leaving them lie blue and lifeless along a swath of destruction that is a
trumpeter's fury-then there is the dark side!" Irving Bush

cjl · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 5:28 am Post subject:

What do your band-mates play? See if you can try their horns to get an idea of what you may like.

What does your teacher play? What else does he/she have access to that you could try? Especially listen to their advice.

I would say used Bach or Yamaha is your best value and easy to find.

-- Joe

Alain Desrochers · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 5:55 am Post subject:

I agree with Joe,

Used Bach or Yamaha.
Lots of models available...

A

Jerry · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 8:15 am Post subject:

Keeping with Dale Proctor's recommendation, I can think of several dealers who meet his description and will make recommendations and will even try some horns for you before they ship.

For example, Dillon Music in New Jersey always has a huge stock of used horns and new horns at incredibly low prices. (Don't believe their advertised prices on new horns; call them to get the real price.) Several weeks ago, I was perusing their used stock and they had a few Shires demo models at an incredible discount. Also, tell them you're story and I'll bet they'll play a few for you.

You could contact Trent Austin (a frequent poster here), tell him your story, and I'm sure he would pick out a terrific horn for you.

Mike Thompson at Thomson Music would probably do the same. Steve Dillard at the HornTrader, too. I'm sure others on this site would vouch for other dealers as well.

Betelgeuse215 · Veteran Member Joined: 20 May 2015 Posts: 186

I think you would like a yamaha. I have my own bach vs yamaha opinions but in your case, I think the yamaha would be a good choice. You dont have to wrestle with the instrument as much as the bach and will have a good sound.

LittleRusty · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 10:08 am Post subject:

JetJaguar · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 10:35 am Post subject:

The choice can come down to aesthetics or subjective loyalty, but he might not want to take the time to develop such tastes. There are all sorts of brand loyalties on here. I tend to like my Olds, thank you very much. But I know Bach is a titan. Conn is a huge legacy, etc. Yamaha jockeys for supremacy with Bach...
_________________
1938 Martin Handcraft Imperial #2 bore, 38 bell
Bach 7C mouthpiece

I'm looking for a Connstellation 5C-N or 5B-N mouthpiece
www.jazzscales.org
The Coady Strengthening Exercises: http://coady.coolwarm.com

LittleRusty · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 10:55 am Post subject:

Denny Schreffler · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:47 am Post subject:

Taking a guess here – 74yo who wants a new horn and whose, “… budget allows for a professional model,” that the OP would be much more satisfied a brand-new instrument.

Since he’s unable to travel to try out anything, I like the ideas that have been suggested in dealing remotely with trusted retailers, builders, and tweakers.

In addition to the already-mentioned Flip Oakes, Trent Austin, Steve Dillard, George Rawlin, and Mike Thompson – any of whom could be trusted to send you a good one – add Tony Scodwell to that list and also consider Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center (just ask for any one of the trumpet specialists). Levin’s stock of new instruments is probably unsurpassed
https://www.chucklevins.com/collections/brass-instruments#/filter:product_type:Bb$2520Trumpets

Almost forgot – contact Jon Linley at Getzen/Edwards, too – trumpets@edwards-instruments.com

What you’ll want – and get – from any of these guys – is a good consultation about your basic wants/needs and a fair estimate of what might work well for you. I’m sure that there are others who I don’t know or am forgetting.

And when you ask them to pick out a good one for you – that’s exactly what they’ll do.

-Denny

deejayjay · New Member Joined: 17 Jul 2018 Posts: 2

Thanks very much for the responses, all of which have nuggets of good, sincere advice. (And I detect humor here and there, a nice bonus.) I look forward to dealing with some of the recommended individuals.

DJ

cbtj51 · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 3:23 am Post subject:

DJ,

After a 14 year hiatus and in my mid 60s, I have been playing again for 4 years. I took my time researching, asking questions, playing friends horns and getting a really good view of a very different trumpet world than the one I knew before. I also got tons of enjoyment, a great deal of knowledge out the search process and made a lot of new friends along the way. I ended up purchasing a horn that wasn't even on my radar when I started back. Enjoy the journey, it can be a great experience.

Kindest regards,

Mike
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'71 LA Benge 5X Bb
'72 LA Benge D/Eb
'76 Bach CL 229/25A C
‘92 Bach 37 Bb
'98 Getzen 895S Flugelhorn
'00 Bach 184 Cornet
'02 Yamaha 8335RGS
'16 Bach NY 7
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