High School Trumpet Advice

[bl2407]

Brand new to this forum and I'm finding a lot of great info. My daughter is a starting high school this fall and I want to upgrade her King trumpet; will be used for marching and concert. The band teacher recommends a Xeno or Bach 37 (of course).
I'm planning to buy used and I've found a Yamaha 5335 for $700–$1000 or a Xeno for $1600. Is the Xeno worth it for a younger player or will the 5335 be easier for her to play and gradually move to a pro horn?

Just looking for any advice before I pull the trigger.

Thanks

[bach_again]

The concept of "beginner" and "pro" horns is used to sell more to people like you, unfortunately.

Andy Harderer has been gigging a Yamaha 3335 despite having a custom Yamaha.

My friend did her undergrad and was offered a prestigious place on a postgrad music college on her TR300 - she had bought a "better" horn but returned it. I have played that TR300 - it isn't that special, but she is. (side note I have played some awful TR300s)

Consider resale value. Bach and Yamaha hold well.

The used market is strong now - Austin Custom Brass will sort you out. Trent and crew are super knowledgeable.

A student of mine had a 5335 - I thought it was a very fine horn.

If you are buying sight unseen I will suggest Yamaha might be better as they are super consistent (in my experience) - a used Bach could easily be a counterfeit horn (common now) or a dog.

I get the inspiration that a new horn brings - so I won't suggest her King is good enough, maybe it is, maybe it isn't. When I was a kid, when I got a shiny new trumpet, I practised so much and took such care of it.

Personally - 5335 can take you through uni if you like. So can a TR300

Good luck!
Mike
_________________
Maestro Arturo Sandoval on Barkley Microphones!
https://youtu.be/iLVMRvw5RRk

Michael Barkley Quartet - Portals:
https://michaelbarkley.bandcamp.com/album/portals

The best movie trumpet solo?
https://youtu.be/OnCnTA6toMU

[kozzicomma]

[HERMOKIWI]

None of the horns are necessarily "easier to play" than any of the other horns. I think this is more an issue of what you can afford coupled with the long range objectives of your daughter. If she's planning to continue playing indefinitely and you can afford a pro horn then my advice would be to go for the pro horn.
_________________
HERMOKIWI

[bl2407]

Thanks for the quick responses. She takes private lessons and her teacher suggested a Xeno or Bach 37 and also mentioned a TR200 for a budget option. I've never played trumpet so researching all of the models can be overwhelming. I'm leaning toward Yamaha and just need to decide between the 5335 and Xeno. She's loves the trumpet so I just want her to have something she loves to play and also gives her confidence.

Thanks agin.

[JayKosta]

Insist on her keeping and using the King for marching season and any other outdoor situations.

If the King is in good working condition, it should be fine for both marching and concert use.
When she progresses to finding actual limitations to the King, THEN investigate (by testing) what actually works better. Using a 'better' horn does not assure being able to play better, nor to making faster progress.

I recently bought a used student horn for 'band wagon' & outdoor concert use - it works fine and plays pretty much like my pro model.

Jay
_________________
Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'.

[starkadder]

[Richard III]

Which King does she now play?
_________________
Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

[JetJaguar]

[bl2407]

I believe it's a King 600 she has now. I bought it used when she started middle school and only paid about $250.

JetJaguar - I 'm actually thinking of keeping the king for myself and learning too play. The trumpet is one of my favorite instruments and I keep telling myself "someday I'll take the time to lean"--Could be now.

[JetJaguar]

You'll get a lot of support on here. One or two frequent posters can't resist inserting a put-down in everything they write, but that's life, especially on the net.
_________________
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

[Brad361]

I agree with keeping the King (especially if it’s a student model) for marching band, at least for marching band rehearsal.
Try to have her teacher check out the Xeno, even with the price difference, if it’s mechanically sound, that would be a good choice. And basically no horn will be any “easier” for a student. Many of the subtleties in pro horns won’t really be perceived by most kids. PRACTICE AND LESSONS are what matter.

The truth is there are MANY fine horns other than Bach (that TR200 is not in the same league as a Xeno or Stradivarius) and Yamaha, but a high school kid can’t go wrong with either. Plus reselling it locally should be fairly easy if your daughter does not continue. Both a Xeno and Bach Stradivarius 37 are well established and generally well regarded as “all around” horns, which is what a student should probably be using.

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

[Richard III]

[starkadder]

[jondrowjf@gmail.com]

I would talk to her high school band director, he may know of trumpets for sale. Ask the director what brands and models are used in his band and mouthpieces.

I agree on having a backup trumpet for marching band.
_________________
King 603 cornet
Yamaha 2330 cornet
Denis Wick 4 W classic gold mouthpiece
Getzen 4 B mouthpiece
Yamaha 11 e mouthpiece
Bach 5 B mouthpiece

[bl2407]

I really appreciate all of the replies to my post; really helps getting all of this valuable info. I just took my daughter to a local music store and they had a used 1980's Bach 37 for sale; I really wanted her to play a higher end trumpet to see what she thought. Funny, she said it felt like her King only a little louder--but she REALLY liked it (probably because it was silver). Someone posted earlier that the subtleties of a pro horn aren't perceived by most kids--very true. Definitely want her to have an instrument she is excited to play and I'm always happy to invest in music so I'll keep shopping for the right deal. Thanks again.

[Richard III]

[harryjamesworstnightmare]

Keep the King for marching. As far as brand specifics I can say this from experience. Bach is not all it used to be. They have been inconsistent so I'd recommend she try several brands. Lately I've taken to Getzen, often overlooked but they are still hand made in the USA and the valves carry a lifetime guarantee. But also try B&S, Adams, Kanstul if you can still find one, and Schilke. If she insists on Bach then please have the teacher tag along and try several of the same model. A blind test would be best if possible then her ears and comfort playing the instrument will guide her to the best horn for her. There's nothing worse than trying to cram your chops into making a horn work that is not a good fit.
_________________
Brian James
-------------------------
King Super 20 Symphony
Bach Strad 43 Sterling Silver Plus
Getzen Proteus
Yamaha 6335HS
Olds Super
Olds Mendez
Getzen Custom 3850 Cornet
Conn 80A
Getzen Eterna Flugelhorn

[LittleRusty]

[pinstriper]