jjpetlovr

Hi, I am looking to purchase a new horn. Everyone I know has the Bach Strad. That is one of my thoughts, but I am also considering the Conn 1BR Vintage one. Does anyone have any thoughts? Other recommendations? My 36 year old Cornet is thinking about retirement. I am getting back into playing after only playing a few times a year for almost 30 years. Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks, Julie

Solar Bell

Hey Julie, welcome to TM.

The early V1s were very good horns.

The later ones seem to not be so well liked.

Look into Schilke and Lawler trumpets also.

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lovevixen555

Well today you have a lot of choices as almost everyone makes a pro-model. Yamaha Mark II series makes perfect sense for someone that wants the pro-sound but does not need the latest greatest cutting edge model. For Example the 6335 is a great trumpet and willonly set you back about $1200-$1400 where their latest 9335 will run you around $3000 dollars or more etc......The mark II models all start with a 6XXX and they all have options so they are not stripped down models at all.

Getzen makes several premium models now. Schilke is probably the best manufactured mass produced trmpets in the world in terms of attention to detail but youpay dealer for it and I doubt it would make much sense from a cost to benifit ratio unless you where really playing a lot in terms of your income since good tools always pay for themselfs wher as a hobby never really pays for itself other then your enjoyment. Blessing makes a pro-model that sells cheap. Now I have to say the one I heard was their light weight model and it sounded great but that does not mean they all do and with blessing track record I would definately want to try before I buy!!! Idealy you should try all of these horns yourself. If you can take a friend that plays trumpet with you. take notes of your impressions, price any special features or incentives what you liked or did not like etc....I would not get a Bach just because you have a lot of friends that have Bach's! That is like buying a Ford just because your Grandfather bought Fords! Since you will hopefully be spending the next 30 year's with this instrument at your side it is important to get what you truly want. If you do decide to get a Bach do yourself a favor and try other bell profiles then just the No.37. In fact I like Bach Strad's with a 72 bell. You seldom see a 72-180ML Bach Strad so if it plays well for you and I suspect it will then you would be the only gal at theparty with one. Try as many models as you can froma ll the companies their is so much out their now that was not their 15 years ago.

Are you sure you want a trumpet and not another cornet?

jjpetlovr

Thanks for the input. That is a good question about the cornet. It is all that I have every played, so part of me is thinking don't fix what is not broken, while the other part of me is thinking, I am surrounded by trumpets there must be something to that. My problem with trying before buying is I live in an area with only student models in the stores. Can't really get a good trial from that. Any thoughts on cornets?

Brass crusader

Julie,
I play a Conn V.O. C trumpet that was a protoype produced before the Vintage Ones were marketed. It's a fantastic horn, but I've never played one of the Bbs. However, if the Bb played as well in Bb as my C does in C, I'd grab one.
I'd do what Chuck says and try to play as many different horns as you can.

Good Luck

__________________
Yamaha Xeno Custom w/ reverse leadpipe
Conn "Vintage One" C tpt, raw brass prototype
'47 Olds Super Recording tpt
'47 Olds Special tpt
'52 Olds Ambassador cornet
'67 Olds Special cornet
70's Yamaha 631 Flugel w/ Rose brass bell
70's Conn 17b Coprion director
'29 Martin Handcraft "The New Master"
'35 Conn 22B NY Symphony Special tpt
'83 Callet New York Super Large Bore tpt.
'35 Conn 32H tbone
'60's Couesnon Flugel
'70 Bach Stradivarius 37 in lacquer
Kanstul French Besson
Courtois 4-valve picc

veery715

Hi, Julie! Welcome to the TM world.

Chuck suggested Lawler. Roy Lawler's handmade trumpets are among the best deals you'll find in the market. They may not be custom, although I am sure he will build one to your specs, but they are terrific and less expensive than both Bach and Schilke.

Check out: LAWLER TRUMPETS INC.

The Model T (I know it smacks of lovevixen555's Ford reference) is a strad-like model, and the C series is said to be Martin-like.

veery

__________________
Never play it the same way once.

Trumpets:
Lawler Bb / Stage 1 Calif Bb Special / Conn 12B / Yamaha 8310Z / Getzen 990S / Hunter-Diamond II /
Stage 1 California C / Mannheim (Chinese) / Benetone / 1934 Cleveland (HN White) 603 Silver Plate w/ Gold Bell / Jaeger NY
PUJE!!
Kanstul ZKT 1525 Flugelhorn
Cornets:
'77 B&H 921 Sovereign / '41 Conn 36A / King Super 20 Master / '68 Olds Ambassador / Conn 18A /
Easyplay (??) / King HN White 1904 Bb/A

s.coomer

I have a close friend who teaches trumpet at the college level and had both the C & Bb. He told me the Bb was the worst and now is playing a Bach Bb and a Yamaha C. This guy tries everything due to the fact that he works with college students and wants to be able to recommend horns to his students. He no longer recommends the Vintage
1's.

jjpetlovr

Veery... love the cat... anyway, I did check out the Lawler site. It has possibilities although a little on the scary side since there is no way of playing before buying. Now I have even more options to try and decide from. Yikes... It will probably be my last instrument purchase, that is why I am trying to get all the info I can. The closest Getzen dealer is 200 miles away.

gglassmeyer

in 2006 after playing everything I could get my hands on (Bach, Yamaha, Getzen, Conn) I was down to a Bach Strad and the Vintage One. I favored the Bach slightly at first, but when I tried the Conn with the rounded tuning slide instead of the more traditional one I really liked the Conn better. I still love playing on it and am glad I chose it. I have the 1BR-46 which is the rose brass bell with lacquer. It has a beautiful tone and the valves are awesome.
It's 3 years later and I still love playing it.
Given the fact that a lot of people have such resentment towards Conn due to their long run of crappy horns and dragging good horn names through the dirt, many folks won't even try the Vintage One. I'm sure you could get a great deal on one and pay quite a bit less than I did 3 years ago. I've seen them at Sam Ash for like US $1200 and I paid $1700 for mine.

You should definitely try one and try it with both tuning slides (there are 2 included). There are also 3 different bell materials yellow brass, rose brass, and sterling silver. The yellow brass one I wouldn't consider if you're playing in a concert band or orchestra the other 2 are much better at louder volumes.

Be sure to try the Bach Strads (there is a reason so many folk play them they're fine horns), Yamaha does make great horns and should be considered. The newer xeno horns are great horns, but as someone mentioned above the older MarkII horns are just as good and you can often find them cheaper than the xenos. Getzen Custom or Eterna series pro horns are good choices too and are priced lower than a lot of the other choices. Getzen is known for their excellent valves. If you can get your hands on a Kanstul or Schilke they're very fine horns.

Good luck, play as many as you can and choose the one that seems to be the best fit for you.

__________________
Greg Glassmeyer

gzent

Welcome JJ!

I have found what I believe are the best value trumpets on the market on list the vendors on my website.
Click here to take a look: Bethany Brass Services

Greg

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