C Trumpet Student

[pnewman475]

Hello,

I am a Junior in College in desperate need of a budget C trumpet. I am in a few orchestras and have been transposing with my Bb but now I need a C for my studies.

What is the best C trumpet for the lowest price?

Any help is great, thanks!

[Quadstriker]

Good.
Cheap.
C Trumpet.

Pick any two.

[Fubeca]

My college C was a modified Beuscher Aristocrat I picked up for $550. It was functional and played in tune. It worked great for an Ed major. I spent six years on it before upgrading.

Last summer I picked up a Shires Q13. It's a great horn for under $3000.

Edit: My local music store has B&S make horns for them under the Gerhard Baier brand. I've seen lots of their Bb horns in the hands of local college students and I considered buying their piccolo before finding a good deal on a Kanstul.


My point is that Bach and Yamaha aren't the only good options. You can always upgrade later with trade-in value or selling to the next college kid who needs a budget horn.
_________________
Bb: 1983 Bach 37 ML
C: Shires Q13
Picc: 2006 Kanstul 920
Flugel: 1970 Getzen Eterna
Cornet: 1957 York 75 "Brilliant"

[Christian K. Peters]

Hello,
Not super cheap, but a Yamaha 6445 would fill the bill.
_________________
Christian K. Peters
Schilke Loyalist since 1976

[jeirvine]

There are some people doing nice c-conversions of Olds Ambassadors which you can get for about $400. If it's a well done conversion it will do the trick. I've played mine in the community symphony and it fits right in.
_________________
1932 King Silvertone Artist Bore
1945 Buescher 400
1946 Olds Super
1947 Olds Super Cornet
1948 Couesnon flugelhorn
1951 Olds Special
1956 Martin Committee
1964 Olds Recording
1968 Bach 329 C
1996 Bach 37

[Didymus]

[Brassnose]

Echoing the question about budget. Roughly what budget do you have? My C (but I am not and will never be a pro) is a Bb converted to C by one of the best techs of the country. Some pro players have tested it and liked it, one even remarked that it is better in tune than an off-the-shelf (well known brand). Paid less than 500 EUR for the conversion plus a few tune-ups. So a Bb C conversion horn would be viable if done by a pro.

TH Marketplace has a number of presumably good used C horns. A Weril at 500 bucks sticks out as affordable but I have never even seen a Weril horn, so can’t comment. Or contact ACB, Dillons, Thompson, … and ask what they can do for you.

I’d have a line to a Yamaha 241 C with a complete overhaul and tuning way below 1000 USD but am located in Europe, so probably not terribly useful for you if factoring in shipping, taxes, and customs.
_________________
2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance, Frate, Klier

[dr_trumpet]

I used to be a Sonaré artist, and the trumpets made in Germany, fitted with a Blackburn leadpipe, and their microlock valve design played VERY well, and would be a great choice for you for an instrument you could probably use forever.

Mine has a few add-ons that Sonaré artists were able to get, and it plays great. Too bad it never gets played, as it is an excellent horn. While I don't use it because I have a FANTASTIC Bach 229, if a damage situation meant my Bach had to go in for repair, this Sonaré is at the top of the list for a "substitute" instrument.

It's not $400 cheap, but I'd bet you could find one for $1300-1500 that would mean you never needed another.

Then again, I did find an outstanding Bach 239/25A C trumpet on here last spring (a year ago) for less than $1100.

Deals are out there, if you are constant in your search and have a way to pay quickly.

Good luck,

AL
_________________
Dr. Albert L. Lilly, III DM
Artist/Clinician for Vincent Bach Trumpets (Conn-Selmer)
Principal Trumpet, Hendricks Symphony (Avon, IN)
Arranger/Composer; Lilly Music

[zaferis]

I hope you're getting the drift... you are already (playing wise) past an entry level or student model instrument-any key.

Save your pennies, borrow money from your parents, work a second job, work with your teacher.. keep looking and find find a "pro" horn.. there are plenty used quality C trumpets out there for a reasonable cost. I'd say $2000 or less is what you're looking at.

C trumpet (any trumpet) especially in the orchestra, is about the sound quality in the hall / ensemble. Any less than top quality won't serve you well.

As a point, the area I'm in, most, if not all of the working/teaching trumpet players know each other, and can contact each other at the drop of a hat. I'm sure if I had a student looking for a used C trumpet, someone on that list would either have one or two in had or know of available horns or options.
_________________
Freelance Performer/Educator
Adjunct Professor
Bach Trumpet Endorsing Artist
Retired Air Force Bandsman

[Andy Cooper]

It's a lot easier to pick out a good used C trumpet if you have already spent some time learning the C.

Have you checked to see if your university has any C trumpets to rent? Obviously, check with your instructor - sometimes major companies leave "demos" for extended periods with teachers.

If you are simply concerned about your ability to transpose quickly, music writing software with score scanning and transposition features is very affordable. Finale for students is discounted to about $100.

[Steve Hollahan]

Blessing had a C trumpet that was affordable. I think they are out of business. However, check eBay, etc. for listings. Also, Olds and Kanstul had some. again check listings.
_________________
Steve Hollahan
Bach 37, 229 C
Yamaha 9620 D-Eb, 741 C, Flugel
Kanstul 900 piccolo trumpet
Sculptured Recrafting Custom Instrument Repair
and Restoration
www.sculpturedrecrafting.com

[spitvalve]

My first C, and probably the standard for most C trumpets, was a Bach C180L with the 229 bell and H(Herseth) leadpipe. There are a fair number of Bach C trumpets in the used market for under $2k. If you go with one of those, make sure it's a large bore model, especially if you're going to use it for orchestral playing.

The Stomvi Forte C trumpet sells new for about $1600. I've never played one, but I've heard they're very good and play better in tune than most Bach C trumpets.
_________________
Bryan Fields
----------------
1991 Bach LR180 ML 37S
1999 Getzen Eterna 700S
1977 Getzen Eterna 895S Flugelhorn
1969 Getzen Capri cornet
1995 UMI Benge 4PSP piccolo trumpet
Warburton and Stomvi Flex mouthpieces

[Didymus]

[Brassnose]

OK, seems we now start tossing individual horns around I had a Getzen Eterna C from the 1970s and didn’t like it. Valves were not what I had expected from all the raving comments on TH and it felt quite hard to play, stuffy, very unusual response.

Conn at some point later in their history made the 80B or 81B which must have been quite good and there are also older Yamaha models like 241 or the 741 out there. I like the older Yamahas quite a bit, so I’d probably look for a Bach or an older Yamaha. I never quite clicked with the current Yamahas but that’s just me, I guess.

Again, check ACB, Dillons, Thompson, Centex, etc.; pretty sure they have a horn lying around for you.
_________________
2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance, Frate, Klier

[Louise Finch]

My C is a Kanstul made F Besson Classic with Najoom leadpipe, and Bach 229 style bell. Somebody asked Jack Kanstul about my C trumpet and he said:

hi louise

i have jack on the phone and he says yours has an A bell (229)
with .020 thickness

.462 bore

he said that your leadpipe is a C7 (7") pipe that dennis sent to them directly
and not a kanstul part

ron

Anyway, I bought mine as new old stock for a less than the price of a used Bach C, and I feel that it is a pretty decent C trumpet.

All the best

Lou
_________________
Trumpets:
Yamaha 8335 Xeno II
Bach Strad 180ML/37
B&H Oxford
Kanstul F Besson C
Yamaha D and D/Eb
- James R New Custom 3Cs
Flugel:
Bach Strad 183 - Bach 3CFL
Cornets:
Yamaha Neo + Xeno
Bach Strad 184ML
B&H Imperial
- Kanstul Custom 3Cs

[Shark01]

I bought a nearly new Schilke S22HD for $1,500 a few years ago, and the older designed horns were right around $1,000

[Liberty Lips]

This ebay listing might interest you. It's an excellent instrument that looks to be in good shape. As others have mentioned, getting a good instrument at a lower price than this would involve quite a bit of luck.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/326050480124?itmmeta=01HRWGVY9DJJXC9F1VTZNEAPGB&hash=item4bea1f7ffc:g:Qj0AAOSw3ZRke6nM&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0LXRJe3fgP316NyJrattpE7jkw8bomZNUNWzAqbfl4je57ipUW5Awu5p0KsQ0GSjbWsbiCo1AjZt6fiqlrSv21KSHn4SWzy32eXFmzN9jESpYZ5aOttFCdujtU%2FUUqeCzFbToXPIaaJuDTi6f5TEg86qrHeCH%2B9p%2Fw3Q0K%2FytBWNzwPFWpk9MqVTRt8LNIRRhyrqGgQfgak%2FPiD5Jmsp67XXkzC53uoeVRgvGm8jz4FOwUUbZuS4RyjhJhfSTrM7auGlSpBQd3PZTN0hEyH1mQM%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_Dk75DHYw

[gregplo]

These are a new line at ACB:
https://www.austincustombrass.biz/awesome-y-fort-custom-ytr741-741-c-trumpet-in-gold-lacquer-its-spectacular/

Not cheap, but less expensive than a new Bach or Yamaha C. Now...to be clear, Trent would sound great on pretty much anything he picks up, but this is a nice sounding horn. At least worth a look.
_________________
Best Regards,
Greg
Edwards Gen II
P. Mauriat PMT-75 (Ti/Copper)
Conn 61B
Benge 90B
Conn 80B LB
CarolBrass Arturo Sandoval Pocket Trumpet
CarolBrass CFL-620R
Getzen CB 610

Remember...when He returns, the trumpet shall sound....

[ltkije1966]

There are a number of nice used horns here on the Trumpet Herald. Be careful of the seller - make sure they have lots and lots of posts. Also, PayPal or similar 3rd party can give you some protection.

It’s a bit of a gamble buying used if you can’t try it. But the way I see it, you can turn around and sell it for what you paid. I’ve bought a few horns here. Never been disappointed.

These are just a few quick ones I saw. You can keep an eye out for Yamahas, Strads, Schilke's, and some others. You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,400 to $3,000 depending on the model and quality.

Good luck on your quest!

https://www.trumpetherald.com/marketplace.php?task=detail&id=146317

https://www.trumpetherald.com/marketplace.php?task=detail&id=146234&s=229-25H
_________________
Scott Kuehn

[mafields627]

Just a thought here....

I once bought a horn that was assembled by Eclipse and was made of Getzen and Kanstul parts. It was an AMAZING horn, but it took years to sale because it didn't have any of those names engraved on it.

I once brought a Bach C trumpet that I sold for $1500 within a week because it was a Bach and was in good shape.

If you get an entry level horn and eventually decide you want to step up, you may be stuck with that other horn for quite a while.

That being said, "budget" is relative these days.


https://www.dillonmusic.com/used-getzen-3070-c-trumpet-sn-g28798.html?id=101369606
_________________
--Matt--

No representation is made that the quality of this post is greater than the quality of that of any other poster. Oh, and get a teacher!