nplotts1

I am a college student that is forcing myself to be in the market for a C trumpet for Grad School. I am aware of the needing to play several horns to find what is right for me, however I have no idea where to start. Is the industry standard a brighter or darker sound for a C trumpet. Also, please include any rants and rave about any C trumpets. I am looking to spend anywhere between $1500-3500, however if I were to have to go higher, it would be a possibility. I will likely be taking out a loan to get my horn, sigh, such is the life of a college student. Any help would be wonderful. And remember, I am asking your personal opinions of the horns you've played, I know that my experience with any and all horns is most likely going to be different.

Adam Smith

I played the yamaha chicago artist model and am in love with it. It is at the top of your price range but it is a very nice horn and would probably be very easy for you to find one to try. I dont have any experience with the lower priced c's by yamaha but they are pretty easy to find and test. I have played my friends bach and an others zeus and didn't really like either. Also, Van Cleave has a C trumpet for just over 1000 and it is supposed to be a good horn. I dont have any experience with it. Maybe someone else could chime in about that. Im a bit curious.

burgerbob

Even though I am not an expert at playing the soprano brass, and I have never wanted a C trumpet per se, I was sent one by Music123 (very long story). As they had sent me the wrong instrument (I had ordered a Yamaha YEP-642 euphonium) I opened the box, and then the case to the YTR-9445CHS Chicago C . I messed around with it, and realized that it was a really good horn, the workmanship was impeccable... and i mean it, all of the slides worked perfectly out of the box (I didn't want to lube anything for the next owner). The valves... Oh, the valves. They were the fastest valves I have used. I took the horn to my brass teacher (former pro, now is Director of Bands at a college near here) and he LOVED the valves. Only after he had used it did I realize they had also never been oiled. They were a PERFECT fit to the casing. As for the playing... Like I said, i took the horn to my brass teacher. I took it out of the case and handed it over, he worked the valves and the slides, marveled at the leadpipe design, then stuck in his mouthpieces and gave it a blow. On a normal day, with his 25+ year old Strad 72LR, he has a range above a double C, but I didnt think he would try it on a C horn. He played a couple fast scales, tryed out the notes that are quirky on C trumpets. After those notes, he took the horn away from his face and gave it a look. He put it back up, played an A scale, then another octave, then to an A just below double C. He took the horn away again, gave it another look, then played a C scale, another octave, then all the way to double C. He said, "Wow. I have never been able to do that on a C trumpet, ever." He REALLY like the horn. If he had had the money and the need (the school he teaches at has several 229s, and at least one is a good one) he would have bought one. Just my little insight into the Yamaha.

ewetho

Don't forget to try a good "ol Bach Chicago which seem to be popular.

patdublc

I"ve played every C that I could get my hands on and have owned several. My favorite of the bunch - and the one I'm using now - is the Yamaha Chicago. Take a good look at the used market. You may find a very good horn there that will meet your needs without spending a ton of money. Plus, if you haven't played C much, it may help to have some experience on one before picking.

rowuk

nplotts1,
the old standard was Bach, with all of the intonation and blow issues. Period!
Now we have many more options. Bach clones from Yamaha, Kanstul, NYTC and B&S. These horns seem to be better in tune than the old standard instruments and have a more even blow. Some orchestras even tolerate alternatives like Monette. Our brand prejudice and blindness will not help you spend your money sensibly! Do call Felix Vayser at NYTC before spending any money though. He is a very accessible, knowledgable person that is interested in you - not just shifting horns!

Forget buying a C with a light or dark sound. There are of course hardware influences, but playing in an orchestra requires a sensitive player regardless of the hardware. Once you get really used to a C trumpet, your approach and sound changes anyway. Your present Bb bias will not allow you to figure out what that "end sound" will be anyway.

Focus on intonation and easy blow. In an orchestra setting, you do not have time to fiddle with sub-standard instruments regardless of reputation. Once you get a horn, concentrate on a focussed, creamy, liquid sound. A C should sound different than a Bb.

miles71

I will second the call to Felix. I play his Bb and C horns and I am very happy not only with them but with his service. If you can get to one of the trumpet shows it is a good place to check them out.

If I ever have the extra cash and want a second C horn I would look into the Yamaha Chicago. It is a great c horn as well. I played a Bach Chicago briefly and I didn't think it was anything super special, nice horn, but so are some others.

As always, it is really up to you. Make sure you try them out, if possible, in a real world situation. Good luck.
TD

Vulgano Brother

Check out the Kanstul copper-belled C if you get a chance--I found it to be an amazingly versatile instrument, capable of dealing out sweetness and death, but that is just my opinion--try out as many instruments as you can, and choose the one that fits you the best.

Have fun!

tatakata

Popular with who?

ewetho

Seen quite a few posts (not the only forum I visit) which people really like them. Good Bach sound and better intonation. But it is different that the old 229 and 239 belled horns. Try them too. Heck another forum were listing the C trumpets players in the symphonies around the country were using and most were using Bach and Yamaha. So there are quite a few real PRO's who like BACHs. Chicago is just another good Bach option.

Both Bach and Yamaha are basically the standard. Start their and if something else comes to life in your hand consider it carefully.

If you are not in its fan club I am sure you can find others. There is room for all. Heck, besides what is the harm in trying one? Liking it???