Lee

Hi,
This is my first post. My 12 year old son has been playing for 1 1/2 years. During that time we have been renting him a trumpet, a King 600. This summer he went to band camp and was accepted in Symphonic band for the new school year.

We decided it would be time to purchase him a trumpet of his own. His band director allows Bach, Yamaha, Besson, and King brands.

I took him to test out some secondhand trumpets; 2 Bessons, King Silver Flair, Yamaha 8335 and 6335(?), Bach Strad 37 and NY model, and a slightly beat up looking silver Strad 72. Oddly enough he liked the 72 best of all and sounded best on it... it was also the least expensive of the lot, (probably due to lack of shine and a few small dings).

What do you think of the Bach 72 for a 12 year old? Any thoughts or experiences would be most appreciated.
thanks,
Lee

JuJu Horn

Any of the horns he tried would suit his needs for the next 10 years and beyond as long as they are in a good condition (Valves and Compression). If he liked the 72 best then go with that. Perhaps have the horn re-plated for him at some stage if he sticks with it.
72's are very good horns. I had one as my first pro horn purchased when I was 15. My 72 has a lightweight bell (small star stamped on the bell) and is still playing great today. I used this horn all through collage and for 25 years professionally in many styles of performance inc studio, jazz, contemporary classical, pop and theatre. My main horn now is an Eclipse MR but I still use the 72 especially in the studio if I am tracking (overdubbing) a section type sound or performing in a Latin (salsa) style band. The 72 has a slightly brighter sound than my Eclipse.

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05 Eclipse MR - Scratch Gold
1958 Selmer K Modified - Silver
1979 Strad 72 lightweight - Silver
07 Eclipse Flugle (Red bell)
Monette B4S prana
Monette B4S prana FLG

Vulgano Brother

Welcome to TM, Lee!
I'll vote for the 72 as well. After seering the movie Transformers, where the car picked it's owner, I believe our trumpets seek us out too, and the old 72's were fine instruments.

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stchasking

Excellent choice.
He likes it.

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"I was performing professionally at age 17 and have never had a real job." Allen Vizzutti

http://cdbaby.com/cd/mcking

melkor24601

Nice.

wiseone2

The Bach model 72* ML was by far the most popular horn in NY studios for a long time. Bernie, Ernie, Victor Paz, Al Stewart, Danny Stiles and just about everyone else played that model Bach.
Wilmer

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Be sure Brain is engaged before putting Mouthpiece in gear.
S.Suark 1951

Mikey

As well as Mr. Fabulous (Alan Rubin).

In my opinion, it is the best Bach setup for lead playing (I have the standard 25 pipe on my ML 72-LT).

trumpetnick

I play a 72 (cf. my signature). I did not know about its popularity in NY (I actually thought that 37 would be more popular) but sure those horns have a very nice sound-it suits me very well.

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Spada Bach B flat 72, leadpipe 2L/DWMM1.5C
Spada Bach C 256, leadpipe 2LQ/DWMM1.5C
1956 Olds Ambassador Cornet
Spada Custom Piccolo

If you don't know where you are going, you 'll end up someplace else

Lee

You guys have been a great help. The trumpet seemed to suit him well. Funny thing is the trumpet was traded in for a Cannonball, which my son also tried and didn't care for? Go figure.
Although he didn't mind about the dings and plating wear and evidence of some previous repair, I was wondering if $900 seems like a fair price knowing that I will be in for replating in the next year or two ? It appeared to be a 1999 or 2000 year horn that was carried and played well. The cosmetics didn't seem to affect the way the trumpet played in any way.

thanks,
Lee

Walter

Just to present another view..... I recently was trying some new horns and the shop keeper said try this old King 601...it was beaten up and ugly..the lacquer was coming off...but man did it play. I then put a tuner on it and confirmed all sorts of intonation issues that I could hear....of course it was not what I was looking for but for five minutes it was a fun blow.

It may be that the 72 feels similar to his old horn so that he is in his comfort zone. It is probably worth having another trial session. I have heard the 72 lightweight is a great horn but wonder if a 72 standard would be suitable for a 12 year. I am boring and would recommend the standard ml37 .........in silver.

Walter