Getzen 900S Eterna Classic Series Bb: Is $800 a good deal?

[thecoast]

[mr oakmount]

Having your trumpet builder or repair tech taking a look at a used (or even new) instrument is always a good plan. I have mine practically on speed dial, and all of my trumpets nowadays have been bought used and checked/improved/aligned/customised by him (taking a bow towards Manfred Fehrer of Rohrau).

But I would not be too quick selling the Getzen again. Give it a chance and try it, not just with different mouthpieces, but also with different repertoire, in different rooms, in rehearsal or even better, in concert. Record yourself if possible.

First of all: Your new trumpet might simply respond to different air/tongue attack. Maybe you are overblowing, maybe not.

Secondly: The sound of your instrument might be a lot different in a band/ensemble/orchestra context. I remember running for a shallow mouthpiece between two songs once because the trumpet I had chosen for the gig was a lot darker in the wind band context than at home in my room.

On the other hand, a trumpet that played like a revelation when you bought it might throw you an unexpected curve ball in performance. My easiest-to-play trumpet is an Adams A5, it's wide open and gorgeous in sound. Well, the trade-off is that you're playing without a net. You don't hit the note between the eyes, you split. (I'm still keeping it, though.)

So, every instrument is a compromise.
Do try and learn to appreciate the strengths and charms of an instrument, even if it seems imperfect to you at first. You can still sell with confidence at a later stage (I give my instruments 2 to 5 years minimum before I sell).

Anyways, good luck with your Getzen, whatever you choose to do with it.

[Croquethed]

[Riojazz]

[kehaulani]

Why, everybody knows that's the fifth G above - which C is that?
_________________
"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

[Didymus]

To answer your original question, $800 - seller discount + investment in ding/dent repair = a great deal. I have seen less-heralded Getzen models in worse condition sell for far more on eBay and Reverb.

[thecoast]

[thecoast]

@mr oakmount
I appreciate the advice. I really want to keep it. I don't play in all the contexts you mention. Basic church trumpet soloist. Only recently have I started to play in a duet and even more recently in a trio. I found there's no problem in blending with the Getzen. And I use either a Bach/Legend 1-1/2C or a Parduba 7-1/2. I like the results I get with either mouthpiece, with the Parduba being a little more gentle on attacks.

But there's a piece we play (duet), a co-arrangement with the other guy, and I play a section that stays between line D on staff and C above staff. I play it confidently on the Omega. The Getzen just fights back. However, I did try playing softer and it seemed to help. So your suggestion about over-blowing may be spot on. The trouble is the switch mentally and physically. I don't know if I want to make those kinds of transitions or not. At least I don't know yet. We'll see. I do appreciate the time you took to make the insightful suggestions.
_________________
—Bach Omega
—Yamaha 631G flugelhorn w/ Warburton 1FLX
—John Packer JP272 tenor horn w/Denis Wick 3
—Yamaha YTS-354 trombone
—King 627 “baritonium”
—Akai EWI 5000

[Brad361]

[Riojazz]

Got it. So A over the staff is where the problem starts.

That was good to consult a reference for what note is what description. Just be aware there are standards out there that disagree with that reference. But that's not important; now we know what you are describing. As far as the answer, I have no idea.
_________________
Matt Finley https://mattfinley.bandcamp.com/releases
Kanstul 1525 flugel with French taper, Shires Bb Destino Med & C trumpets, Schilke XA1 cornet, Schagerl rotary, Schilke P5-4 picc, Yamaha soprano sax, Powell flute. Sanborn GR66MS & Touvron-D.

[thecoast]