jflores

Hey,

I'm a college student shopping around for my first C trumpet. I've looked all around the Los Angeles area and there appear to be no more Bach Strads there (sold out since the strike). There are some nice B&S c's around though. Does anyone here know much about those horns? I'm worried about investing $1800 in a brand that is not very well known in the United States.

If I do find a bach, any recommendations on the lead pipe (A, H, etc) or bell (229, 239, etc)?

Thanks a lot

miles71

Look at the Xenos from Yamaha if you arent set on a Bach. I have an 8445 C Horn that plays very nicely.

SInce this is your first C horn I'd stick with a pro line manufact. like Bach, Yamaha, etc.

trumpet blower88

Since the strike, I don't know how much luck you're going to have with Bach. My trumpet prof ordered a a C from them at the beginning of last summer for the trumpet studio this year. Its been nearly 8 months or so now and we still don't have it, it should have been here in August!

Check out Yamaha of course, but don't count out smaller makers like Kanstul or Callichio.

Dale Proctor

I own a Bach 239 C, and it's a very nice horn. I tried a friend's new B&S C before a Christmas gig, and I didn't like it at all. Much more stuffy and dull sounding than the Bach. Of course, I only played it for about 10 minutes, and I've played the Bach for 23 years, so at best, I'm just giving you a somewhat biased first impression.

TheRiddler

Yamaha is going to take over the market, IMHO. Great horns, decent price (can get a tad steep..) But they're gonna put Bach out like Old Yeller pretty soon.

Richard Oliver

jflores,

You could give Steve Dillard at the Horn Trader a call. If you stick with trumpet, your 1st C won't be your last.

Here's one he has for $800, a Bach. She's not pretty, but Steve says she plays pretty.

You can get a horn like this relacquerd or plated and still be way way under the $1,800 you mentioned. For less than a couple hundred dollars, you can get all leadpiped up.

http://www.horntrader.com/Merchant2/...egory_Code=CTE

I bought a C from Steve about a month ago and am very happy. Steve is a nice guy. He's in San Diego. A bit of a drive, but it's a pretty city.

Happy Practicing,

Richard Oliver

p.s. If you're studying trumpet, did you teacher have some good input?

brianwhitehead

B&S C trumpets are quite popular in the UK, and I own one myself (3136/2 reverse leadpipe). When trying out various horns prior to purchase, I actually preferred the B&S to any of the Bach C's I tried, and I thought it was equal to the Yamahas I tried. Definitely worth trying them out, if you can.

rowuk

Brian,
a used instrument in good shape could also be an option for you.
As this is your FIRST C trumpet, we can assume that it will not be your last, soooo the most important thing is that it is in tune and that it not be too radical. Bach, Yamaha, Kanstul and B&S are all worth play testing - and I am sure you wouldn't buy a trumpet before playing it. Once you have finished your studies and know what will come next, you may need another horn anyway.

Depending on your mouthpiece and choice of horn, you may need to get a mouthpiece optimised for the C trumpet. Mr. Sievers at the Bach forum recommends a size 24 throat on Bach mouthpieces for instance. Monette has a complete range of pieces just for the C.

B&S is a German company with a very long tradition of high quality brass instruments. They are located in what used to be East Germany near the Czech border (the Czech towns in the area are also famous for brass instruments). If you find a horn that you like, go for it. They are well made and reliable. B&S can be considered a "major" brand. I see many of these horns being played in Germany and know of no one with heartburn........

Siegtrmpt

Since you're in college and not really sure what brand of horn you want I suggest you just go budget with it for now and get a used C trumpet. Used Bach and Yamaha C trumpets are for sale all over the place. Buy one to learn on. If you buy right you can always sell the older horn for close to what you paid for it when time comes to get a newer one. While the Bach 229/25H has been the most popular set up the other bells and leadpipes aren't really that much different. If you buy a 239/25C set up you can get the same results as a 229/25H by opening up the mouthpiece slightly. It's just not that big a deal.

trumpetnick

Rowuk,

My first C trumpet was my Spada and I will stick with this horn for a while...B&S? I would not go for it. But some Strad can be as awful as the B&S...What about Schilke?