Trumpet with a Bright Sound

[devrob]

I'm in the market for a Bb horn with a pretty bright sound. My whole career I've had a pretty warm, dark sound. It's what sounds best to my ear for the style of playing I do (99% orchestral or symphonic wind), so it's become natural and is only enhanced by the horns I tend to buy. My main horns are a Xeno Bb, Kanstul 1600 Bb, and a Bach 229 C. The lead playing in one of the ensemble I'm playing in most often plays a Bach 72 and has a really rich, bright sound. Not a laser beam by any means, but significantly brighter than mine. I'm hoping to find something to help match his sound a bit more and also potentially use for some solo work.

Some things I've considered so far include a Bach 72 LW, Shires BLW, Andalucia adVance Phase III, and a Van Laar BR2. Any other suggestions of horns to check out?

I've of course tried a few mouthpieces and focusing on vowel sounds, which helps substantially, but I'm always interested in expanding the collection

[kehaulani]

I would get a Getzen Severinsen or Benge. LOTS of studio players used those. But be aware that mouthpiece and personal mind-picture of a target sound go a long way.
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"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[onlyson]

Your Kanstul should do the trick. Try a more shallow mouthpiece to help brighten your sound.
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Del Quadro Grizzly
Yamaha 9335CH
1951 Martin Committee Deluxe #3 Bore
ACB Coppernicus
Couesnon Flugel
Carol Pocket Trumpet

[OldSchoolEuph]

The Bach 72 has a fast taper, as does the Andalucía bell, which tends to a darker sound generally.

In vintage, Bright horns would be a Benge 3, a King Sliver Flair, a Yamaha YTR-739T, or for really bright and commercial, an Olds Superstar.

In modern, bright horns would be a Kanstul Chicago (oops, now that's vintage only too I guess), a Bach 1B Commercial, Most of the Schilke B series (not B5/B6 though), Jupiter XO 1600i (not as much as the others listed). I thought for a while about Yamaha, but with the cultural perception of trumpet tone having shifted toward a stronger core with clear overtones, their brightest current models (Xeno Chicago, Shew) are not particularly bright.
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Ron Berndt
www.trumpet-history.com

2017 Austin Winds Stage 466
1962 Mt. Vernon Bach 43
1954 Holton 49 Stratodyne
1927 Conn 22B
1957 Holton 27 cornet
1985 Yamaha YEP-621
1975 Yamaha YEP-321 Custom
1965 Besson Baritone
1975 Olds Recording R-20

[HERMOKIWI]

The Bach 72 bell is designed to produce a sound on the darker end of the spectrum. The Bach 25, 43 and 37 bells are all designed to produce a brighter sound than the 72 bell. So a Bach 72 would seem to be taking you in the direction opposite the one you're trying to go.

The Calicchio 1s/2 has for decades been the standard for bright sound and projection against which everything else is measured. If you want bright sound and strong projection you won't go wrong with a Calicchio 1s/2. Nothing on your list of possibilities matches up to a Calicchio 1s/2.

I own over 50 Bb trumpets including a Bach 25, 37 and 72LW, Chicago Benge ML and L, Burbank Benge 2X, 3X, 5X and 6X, Los Angeles Benge CG, Getzen Eterna Severinsen LB, Schilke B5LB and B7L, Kings, Conns, Selmers, Blessings, etc. in addition to a Calicchio 1s/2 and Calicchio 3R/9, and the Calicchio 1s/2 is the brightest and most projecting of them all.
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HERMOKIWI

[LittleRusty]

Terms like dark, bright, “Bach sound”, etc, are very subjective. I have read posts using the term dark to, from my interpretation or the posts, mean opposite tone quality.

If you are considering Bachs, here is a link to Bach’s official opinion on the bell characteristics.

[zaferis]

Bach Commercial
Shires Destino III
Yamaha Z-Horn Zxxxx
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[Brad361]

There are of course many horns that might work for you (in addition to your Kanstul? Maybe with a “commercial” mouthpiece?), but I can say that for me, my LA Benge 3X+ and GR Carl Fischer JazzRockstar mouthpiece is VERY bright, I didn’t actually realize how bright it is until I heard a recording of myself recently.

ALL THAT BEING SAID: as others have mentioned, “bright” is subjective, and what works well for me absolutely may NOT for someone else. For example, lots of guys love the Yamaha Shew horns, for me they feel tight and restrictive. That’s not necessarily a reflection on the horns, it’s a personal reaction/preference.

Brad
_________________
When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval

[shofarguy]

Lots of horn choices, but your Kanstul was made for the kind of playing you're describing. To my way of thinking, you should begin by altering your sound concept. Get help from someone with experience who can help you change your thinking, hearing and technique. After that, I'd consider finding a moderately shallow mouthpiece.

I play a trumpet with a REALLY big open bell taper and can get a brilliant, commercial tone out of it.
_________________
Brian A. Douglas

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.

[HERMOKIWI]

[maynard-46]

Adams A5. DEFINITELY the LIGHTEST WEIGHT and BRIGHTEST SOUND of any horn I have ever played in my 55 year playing career. It's also the quickest responding horn too! Try it...you might like it!!!

Butch
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TRUMPE: YAMAHA Lacq. "Shew Gen II" / Legends .585 "CatMaster" Top / KT "TKO" BB / Reeves #5.75 Sleeve.
FLUGELHORN: ADAMS Custom "F1" / Legends .585 "CatMaster FL.

[shofarguy]

[Ed Kennedy]

[RussellDDixon]

Owned a Kanstul 1600 at one time. One of the better playing horns I have ever owned and it is gorgeous. As previously stated, designed for Wayne Gergeron and he favors it over his Yamaha accprding to an interview I read. I suggest trying something beside a new horn unless you are just itching to buy one. The Kanstul 1600 has plenty of fire to be had.

A Schilke and ... errrrr ... my Yamaha YTR 8340EM (Eric Miyashiro designed light-weight) would thrill your soul also.
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Schilke X3 Bb trumpet
Yamaha 631g Flugelhorn
Nicholson Monette Prana Resonance LT mouthpiece
Kanstul Claude Gordon Personal mouthpiece

[blbaumgarn]

I agree with Kehaulani. Try a Severinsen. Getzen's 900 which if still the old Severinsen or finding a good Benge with an earlier serial number. Bright, open, yet full and both horns project. And you can find good examples used for less than new. Try the Burbank trumpet if they are still available due to the Kanstul shut down or re-organization. There are several Benge horns in the marketplace right now that would give you what you want. Good Luck.
_________________
"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

[deleted_user_680e93b]

[Rod Haney]

I have a 65 King Silver Flair in near mint condition which would do the job very well. I don’t play it anymore, pm me as there is a local music store that has or had a large selection of vintage horns and a Harry James or 2.
Rod

[Tobylou8]

I have several horns that can light it up pretty good. They are Getzen Severinsen, 900H (Herriot tilted bell) in medium and large bore (really hard to find), Conn 60B Super Connstellation (very underappreciated horn), 40B Vocabell from '32 (laser beam bright), Holton ST-302, and the brightest of all is my Holton Super Collegiate cornet with copper bell!! I've played a couple of Xenos, Shew and Miyashiro and they were bright but also tight for me. It might be cheaper to try a mpc that's very shallow. I use a JET-TONE CUSTOM MODEL 1B. It can light up any horn I have but it isn't for everyone.

[gabriel127]

Don't miss a chance to try the Stomvi Horns. V-Raptor, VRII, S3, and others. Those horns can really sizzle. I've heard that the Mambo is even brighter, but I've never tried one myself. Might want to check with Jon Ruff or KO.

[giakara]

One more vote for Getzen Eterna , bright and shiny sound with fast response.

Regards
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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
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