Cannonball 790rl black nickel feedback

[HBTrumpet1221]

We are looking to purchase a trumpet for our daughter who is heading into high school. Although she is young, and after considering purchasing a used horn, we decided that new may be a good investment for her and hopefully last her through college and beyond. So went to try out a Bach Stradivarius 180S37 over the weekend and we came across the Cannonball 790. After playing on both my daughter absolutely loved the dark tone quality and feel of the Cannonball. The horn will be used in all areas of concert type band in school but her favorite is by far jazz band ( or anything pertaining to jazz).
So we would love some feedback from the trumpet world! It seems there aren’t many reviews out there on this model Cannonball and we wanted a lasting investment if we went with a new horn, especially with a price tag that is so comparable to the much liked Bach Strad. 37. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Gonzalez]

I have one! It would not be my first choice for an allround horn. I love the dark tone quality, and the horn is a fine player. My «problem» with it is that it drown when I play with others. Can’t even hear my self. It’s useless for lead playing. But as a solo horn it’s great! And the build quality is also in the top end. But my two cents for an allrounder: take the 37
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Van Laar OIRAM Ack
Bájoc mouthpieces Lead and Pops

[HBTrumpet1221]

Thank you Gonzalez for your input. I loved the tone of the Cannonball as well but your issues with it are something we definitely need to consider. Today her band instructor also recommended the 37, saying it was just an all around better horn for all that she will be asked to do with it.

[HaveTrumpetWillTravel]

Personally, I think the creative instruments (black nickel, etc.) look cool, but I've never played in a band where they would be welcome. She probably needs a Bach 37/Xeno to fit it and be able to play a mix of styles. If she can play several, that's also good because there's some variation even in the same line.

If you have the financial wherewithal, you could look into a used 37 and something jazzier as a 2nd instrument. If she loves jazz she may also want a cornet or flugelhorn at some point. Just be grateful she didn't do any of the instruments that cost 10x as much

[brassmusician]

This looks like a new version of the Cannonball 789RL which I play, but maybe there are some significant differences as I find my 789RL to be very versatile and can blend or cut depending on how you play it. Also, very easy to hear myself in a trumpet section due to the large bell.
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Cannonball 789RL
Yamaha 635ST
Yamaha 16C4
Wick 2BFL

[zaferis]

This is a great question, and one that doens't really have a straight forward answer.

Liking the tone and play of an instrument is good, but as has been pointed out, it's more about what the instrument does in the performance setting and ensembles. And a young maturing player doesn't have the experience to draw from to make an truly informed judgement. 37's have been the most popular and copied trumpets for a very long time - there is a reason for that: sound, blend, projection, and aspects assist in developing skills.

I suggest returning to considering a Bach, and highly recommend you look at a Bach 19037 (50th anniversary model) this is one of the few builds that I am very comfortable in blindly recommending to students. (These are essentially the 18037 built with all the old methods that made the model the gold standard). They're a little more expensive but well worth it. A great choice, that works well in all ensembles, solo situations, and will allow your daughter to grow her playing. It could very well be the only Bb trumpet she'll ever want or need.
If a few years if and when she begins to specialize, then she'll have more experience to draw from and the ability to make a more knowledgable choice for her wants/needs.
I use my 37 for nearly everything 80-90% of the time.. Professionally, I now carry a "commercial" trumpet as well for those times that I'm playing in very specific situations-based on what musicI'm playing or who I'm playing next to. But there are definitely times which that instrument does not produce the appropriate tone.

Having said all af that about Bach 37's.. for comparison and very high on my list of oustanding instruments (especially for student with an ear for jazz) is a Yamaha 8310z. A lighter weight instrument but built with some design features that make them a versitile instrument.
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Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman

[F.E. Olds Nut]

For all around use I would recommend a Bach 180-37 or a Yamaha 8335 over the Cannonball. While they play well and may look pretty, they don’t have the sound or presence as the Bachs or Yamahas, and may have trouble blending with a section.
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Del Quadro "The Mother"

[Brad361]

Zero direct experience here with Cannonball, but as others have said, I agree that students generally should stay with “all around” horns like Bach Stradivarius (probably a 37) and Yamaha Xeno. Plus, in the event that the OP’s daughter doesn’t continue past high school, resale on those horns is generally good.

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

[HBTrumpet1221]

Thank you so much everyone taking the time to share your valuable feedback. This is the kind of information I was hoping for when I posted my question because we truly want to make the best purchase for the right reasons! I’m looking into my daughter now trying out the Yamaha 8310z, the Bach Strad. 19037 and then possibly the Bach Strad. 18037 with the reverse lead pipe. One of the things I think She enjoyed the most about the Cannonball was the reverse lead pipe so I’m curious to see if she still feels the same about it on a different trumpet. Any thoughts anyone has on trumpets having a reverse lead pipe is Welcomed Too!

[veery715]

[Brad361]

[OldSchoolEuph]

[Brad361]

Regarding the 8310Z: I almost hate to say it, and perhaps it should not factor into the OP’s decision, but I wonder if a less informed band director might look at the Z as a “bright lead/jazz” horn that would not fit the traditional concert band mindset? I really think the 8310Z with a “middle of the road” mouthpiece would probably be fine, but there might be some prejudice towards that horn.
Or maybe not.🤔
Hopefully not, but a Xeno or Bach 37 might be a safer bet.
My opinion is that unless a band director is paying for the kid’s horn, it’s not his decision, and many directors might not care, but I have occasionally seen other what I consider to be inaccurate opinions when it comes to kids’ horns and mouthpieces.

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

[veery715]

I agree that the 8310Z has a lead rep. A fat mp will make it blend, but rep is a problem, unfortunately.
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veery715
Hear me sing!: https://youtu.be/vtJ14MV64WY
Playing trumpet - the healthy way to blow your brains out.

[Rod Haney]

When in hi school (7-12) I became 1st chair with a Cleveland Bb student horn, I actually made 3rd chair 1st trumpet all state at 14 with the same horn. I had been playing 3+ years at that time. My point being don’t be in a hurry. Your daughter if she is going to stay after the horn will explore on her own and will develop a preference for the traits she likes. If she just wants something new that’s another issue, but if you are worried her student horn is holding her back then it should b confirmed by a good player before spending the money. Almost all good players can make a student horn sing.
I used to buy a lot of expensive horns from parents of 10th graders -cheap.
Rod

[jondrowjf@gmail.com]

What brand and model of trumpet is your daughter playing now?
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Jupiter 520 M shepherds crook
Denis Wick 4 W classic gold short shank mouthpiece
Getzen 4 B short shank mouthpiece
Vincent Bach 5 B short shank mouthpiece

[Brad361]

While I absolutely agree that a recognized brand student horn in good mechanical condition could certainly be used through high school, there is another aspect to this. Sometimes a new instrument, especially if it’s one that the student THINKS is better than what they have, can be an incentive/reward for the student working to progress through lessons and PRACTICE.

Very few high school aged players absolutely NEED a pro level horn, but if it’s within a parent’s budget, and the kid IS practicing and taking lessons, it’s not a bad idea.
Conversely, and I have had this conversation with parents, if the student is barely making an effort I would probably keep them on the student horn for the time being.

The new horn justification criteria might be 1)practice, 2)lessons and 3)......PRACTICE!

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

[HBTrumpet1221]

Again, thank you for everyone’s responses. My daughter is currently playing a Jupiter, capital edition. We have been renting it for the past couple of years from a music store. It’s what she started on.
As far as whether she practices, she does, and without us having to ask her. And as far as lessons go, she has taken private lessons for almost as long as she has played. She has taken piano lessons for 7 years as well. Not because we make her, but because she loves learning how to play. She truly loves music, she plays for fun and it makes her happy. She didn’t ask for a new trumpet, but we knew once it was obvious she liked playing, that renting wasn’t a good long term plan. So we started out on this journey looking at used horns and she was fine with that, still is and so are we. But her father and I thought a new horn might be a good idea, a horn in great shape that will last but also has good resale value should she want to part with it down the road.

[OldSchoolEuph]

It is great to see parents supporting a child's interest in music.

The fact that a skilled player can make a poor horn sound good, should in no way diminish the fact that a better horn makes it easier for any level of player to perform and advance.

The Capital Edition Jupiters were pretty good horns as student/step-up horns go. But a professional horn will make it easier for a student to continue improving - it allows the student to focus more on technique and musicianship, and less on the mechanics of coaxing the desired sound and response from the instrument.

Horns are tools used by musicians. My great grandfather built apartment buildings (quite well and quite durably) using hand saws and a hammer. But I imagine he would have vastly preferred power tools and a nail gun - he probably would have built more and bigger buildings had he not had to work so hard to make do with the tools available. I applaud the OP for seeking to make a better tool available.
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[Brad361]