I have not played that many different brands of trumpets, but I have benn told by numerous band directors and private teachers that you can't go wrong with a Bach Stradivarius (Don't bother with the student models -aka- TR300). I have also heard that Yamaha makes a very consistent horn - I think the pro model for them is the Xeno. However, investing in a used horn wouldn't be a bad idea either. You can find used professional models for under $1000 and they play just as good - if not better than - new horns. Pick a horn for its sound, not by how shiny it is. Also, probably the best way to go about finding a new trumpet is to just take a day, go around to various music stores, and try out trumpets. Bring someone with you as a set of ears.
If you have any other questions, you can email me at uhhhno@msn.com
Like he said, Bach Straduvarius is standard top notch. I just bought a 1980 pro bach strad for 900. So, if you have any friends that are good with ebay, that is always a good deal.
"Yes, buy a strad! These are definately the best all around trumpets you can buy for their price range."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA that's some of the worst advice i've ever heard. You need to try a horn before you buy it... especially bachs seeing as how they're so inconsistent. The older Bachs are usually wonderful horns but the newer ones usually suck. They are hard to slot, the sound is weird, and there is no way to find notes in tune in the upper register. Xenos are usually good horns and they're very consistent but lots of people find the sond to be muffled. You should go to all the shops in your area and play every professional horn the have and find out which one you like... you might even need to try more than one of the same model and you should only buy the exact horn that you played. Or look for ads of used ones and play test those... i personally prefer to buy used.
I agree with weedy. Xeno do sometimes sound muffled. {Friend had one.} I like Yamahas better then bachs though. the consicity sp? of yamahas is better.
Buying a particular brand or model trumpet on recommendation alone is a mistake that many trumpet players have made. I won't dispute that the Bach Stradivarius is very popular and generally a very good quality trumpet, but I have read on forums on another website that newer Bach horns suffer inconsistency from instrument to instrument. The best way to find the best horn for yourself is to go to a music store and try every trumpet they have within your budget. This is something you should do using "the" mouthpiece that you plan to use. As with mouthpiece selection, the one trumpet that plays wonderfully for you might be the worst choice for the person in the next chair. I personally play a Blessing ML-1S using a Monette STC1-B4S mouthpiece, and I think that combo hangs pretty well with the Bachs and other more expensive trumpets in the five ensembles that I play in.
"XENOS RULE DEATH TO STRADS"- whoever posted this, it isn't advice and it does not contribute to the topic, it is also rude.
Anyway there are so many brands out there and you really just have to try as many as you can, to name a few, yamaha, bach, getzen, shilke, kanstul, conn, king... Try em all and pick the one YOU like best.
I have played on xeno's and strads. They all come with their ups and downs. I think bachs have a darker sound...for me at least they do. I play on bach instruments. But i love the xeno c trumpets. You want a good horn? Go to a music store that sells trumpets. You wanna gather like....as many strads and yamaha xenos as you can and try all of them out to see which one plays the best. You might wanna thro in a benge or somethign too to see if you like that. But go with the strad or the xeno...TRY THEM OUT BEFORE YOU PURCHASE THEM! good luck finding a horn. there are a lot of good ones out there, but thre are also crap ones. find a good one. my Bb trumpet is my favorite horn ever...i'm never going to replace it...it plays amazingly.
sorry to double post. it's also good to play on a horn with the same mouthpiece brand. the principal trumpet in a symphony i play in says that when he plays on his yamaha mouthpiece on his yamaha horn, it's a entirely new instrument. i play on larger monette mouthpieces B1-5 B1-1 C-11 and i think they work great for me. I'm a monette person, what can i say. But yea, i'm a bach person too. If you're looking for a piccolo trumpet....ide go with schilke.
sorry to double post. it's also good to play on a horn with the same mouthpiece brand. the principal trumpet in a symphony i play in says that when he plays on his yamaha mouthpiece on his yamaha horn, it's a entirely new instrument. i play on larger monette mouthpieces B1-5 B1-1 C-11 and i think they work great for me. I'm a monette person, what can i say. But yea, i'm a bach person too. If you're looking for a piccolo trumpet....ide go with schilke.
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