In search of a trumpet for college

short_n_squeaky · Regular Member Joined: 05 Mar 2003 Posts: 42

For my graduation present, I will be getting a trumpet of some sort for college and beyond. I really need a decent horn that'll last me indefinitely and is of great quality but I'm not sure where to look with all of the many brands and names out there.

I do realize this topic has probably been hit on quite ferociously in the past and is subject to opinion, but I really need some ideas here

What I'd appreciate is if anyone who has the time would post up a trumpet or two that you think is of great quality and still somewhat affordable for a soon-to-be college student. I'm interesting in seeing horns from many different price ranges, but nothing outrageous (IE: Above $8,000 or so).

Anyhoo, thanks in advance. I'm thoroughly befuddled and I had been looking at a Yamaha or maybe even a Monette of some sort, but I figure this will give me some more ideas.

MoonBoy · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 4:38 pm Post subject:

If you can think about any trumpet under $8000 I would get a gold plated Eclipse that only set you back $4200 . . .

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cujazztrpt · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 4:49 pm Post subject:

Bach Strad?? And spend more money for more trumpet lessons.
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jophst · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 4:56 pm Post subject:

Whatever you choose as it sounds you are serious, play as many horns as you can get your hands on (used and new). What brands does your local music store have?

Mine only carries Bach and Yamaha in the pro-line, so my picks would be:

1.) Bach 37 ML (silver or lacquer)

2.) Yamaha Xeno 8335G in laquer

3.) Yamaha Xeno 8335RGS

If you have the luxery of playing other nice horns such as Schilke's & even the Conn Vintage One's, try those as well.

Try EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!
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blasticore · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 4:58 pm Post subject:

Um...Monette horns would be the ones ones above that lines between ridiculously prices and not. Well, a bunch of them at least. I'm going to give you the answer I think most people probably will as well, but I'll throw some of my own ideas in as well.

Yamaha horns are incredibly consistent and play remarkably well for stock models. I've tried several Xeno hodels and have been pleasantly impressed by them all. For the price you'll pay, you can get a very well playing horn. It takes a lot of the complication out of making music.

Bach Strads can be indeed quite nice horns, despite what some people might say. Sure, there are ones that play horribly out there, but that's why you test the horns before you actually buy them. I've tried a wide range of Bachs. The lower end of the scale is something I souldn;t sell to the 5th grader, and the high end is something you'd never want to let go of. Strangely enough, the guy who owns the best one I've tried doesn't want to give it up for anything. He's made a wise choice. I recommend trying a bunch of these out and trying to find one, or a few, that you like well. Test them along side other horns and see what you think. Your opinion is the only one that matters, trust me.

The Conn Vintage One has established itself as a very nice jazz horn that does legit pretty much the same way. Of the ones I've tried, they've all had a beautiful singing tone quality that I could describe as almost "sexy" in a way. They play smoothly and sound quite the same way. Something to definately try out.

Getzen is a brand of horns that i feel most people don't consider when they're looking for new one for themselves. the valves are absolutely out of this world, just like the ones on Eclipse trumpets. I've only found a couple Getzens to play below what i consider to be the normal standard of their instruments. They're a pretty secure buy, and are relatively cheap when compared to a lot of others.

You can indeed buy an Eclipse for under that $8000 pricetag you mentioned. there was something special about the Eclipses I tried. They had a playing quality that in a way, I knew I was always searching for in a horn. the sound wasn't at all harsh on them either. It was like audio silk coming out of the bell. I tried them along side a bunch of other horns and always noticed that quality to stand out between them. For the money you'd pay for them, I'd be the first to tell you that they're well worth it. These horns are truly an innovation in trumpet design year ahead of their time. I'd highly recommend at least trying a couple. The Eclpise model is what had me when I tested them. Mmmm, Eclipse.

But for reference, most people will probably tell you to find a Bach for college. And to tell you the truth, that probably is the way to go if you want to fit in among the trumpet studio in college. Most people will be playing them, and it'd be to your advantage in a lot of ways to fit in. If your focus is mainly jazz, still consider the Bach, but go with what suits your sound concept the best. All the best wishes to your horn search. I know how much fo a pain it can be.

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Chris King
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loudog · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 7:22 pm Post subject:

Are you planning on majoring in music? If your parents are willing to spend that much for you, I'd get both a B-flat and a C trumpet. If you're going to major in music, you'll probably use a C trumpet quite a bit.

As far as brands...try as many as you can. Probably your best bet would be Bach or Yamaha, but others are available too. You could get two Chicago Monette trumpets (Bb and C) for under $8000. Or you could get Yamaha or Bach and spend around $3500, give or take.

Good luck!

Louie

short_n_squeaky · Regular Member Joined: 05 Mar 2003 Posts: 42

Thanks for the advice so far guys, it's just what I needed. I've heard the Yamahas are pretty solid along with the Getzens, and as was mentioned earlier in this thread somewhere, I've heard mixed stuff about Bach Strads.

But I guess it does come down to trying things out for myself. I've got something to work with now that I have an idea of the common brands people use for this kind of thing. I will be minoring in music but will hopefully do a whole lot of playing even after college so this is important

oneeyedhobbit · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 10:45 pm Post subject:

Hey squeeky,

Listen, being a not-so-far-away high school grad, I can understand the desire to want some strange exotic horn, becuase a) there's no denying, its damn cool b) its impressive to others and c) they are supposed to rock.

However, in your position, I feel you would be best served by a more conventional horn, as I feel ANY high-school/freshly minted college kid (myself included) would be. Look to the familiar names-Conn (the Vintage Ones are great, I love mine to death), Bach, Yammie (especially if Malone designed horns are coming out...these scare me, because I can't afford to replace my V1), Getzens, Schilke, or Kanstul. These will serve you best, especially when you often don't know which genre of music you will begin to study more seriously.

Graham Altham-Lewis · Regular Member Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 31

Hi there!

Buying a new horn is very exciting - first thing is to enjoy the experience! As others have said try out many different horns. All of the ones mentioned are good and will serve you well. Ask your trumpet teacher for some advice as he/she will know your playing best. If you choose a Bach Strad get your trumpet teacher to try some out as I have heard of inconsistencies in their playing.

My advice would be:
1. Yamaha 8335S. A great trumpet. ML bore, will fit all situations from jazz, orchestra, Wind Band etc which is important at your stage of development. I have played a Yamaha 6335HS2 for the last 4 years and it has been a great horn for me. I like the sound and find it a good compromise between free blowing and stuffy. A good allrounder at a great price - very good value. The valves are OK but not the best though. Very consistent from horn to horn.

2. Bach Strad. As others have mentioned this is considered the standard by many and is the sound many directors want. Personally I have preferred my Yamaha to the ones I have played as I preferred the sound and found the yamaha a little freer blowing which I preferred. Lots of configerations though so definitely check them out but get an experienced trumpeter help in choosing a good one for you.

As you are a college student I would have recommended one of the two above for you as they will not hold back your playing and will both allow you to develop as a trumpeter and be able to play in a variety of situations as they are both excellent all round horns. Thats why you see professionals from Jazz to Orchestra playing both makes.

There are many other excellent horns out there so do try those too as in the end you have to like what you play - it is very personal. I have heard very good reviews of the Conn Vintage 1 but have not played one. I am awaiting delivery of a new Schilke B1 so you can tell what my preference is now...! I would say though that unless you want to go in a particular specialised direction, which it seems quite early to do, I would stick with Yamaha or Bach unless one of the others has that WOW factor and will be good in all situations for you. A bach or yamaha will always be useful though and you can always get a different more specialised trumpet when your playing has developed more and you know what you want out of a trumpet. You can get a really decent pro horn anywhere from $1200 - $2000 and there should not be a need to spend more than this. As trumpeters we are quite lucky that pro instruments are very good value compared to other instruments. I believe Allen Vizutti was asked whether his horn was really expensive and he said no - you never need to spend more than $2000 to get a really decent horn...

Have fun trying out the different models and let us know what you find out from your experiences.

Cheers

Graham.

djm6701 · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 3:01 am Post subject:

I was thinking about this and I wonder if the best bet might be to determine where you are going to college and then get a lesson with one of the trumpet faculty there. Ask them what's preferred at that school so that you don't end up with a terrific but expensive horn that doesn't meet what sometimes can be rigid expectations about what horn students should play.

I also really like the idea of buying a less expensive pro horn (ie a Yamaha or Strad) and then using the rest of the cash for lessons. For a few thousand dollars you could get a whole whack of lessons from different really high-end pro players and attend a summer music camp or two, like Jamie Abersold's, Bud Shank's or the Stanford Jazz Workshop, if you are a Jazz guy. There are corresponding camps for legit players, too.
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