bruce333

Hi All. I am Bruce from Boston and new to TrumpetMasters. I play piano (jazz now, classical as a youth) and recently decided to add trumpet to my repertoire. I played French Horn for 8 years or so in grade school etc, last time was about 20 years ago though

I am wrestling with how much trumpet to shop for. My local stores only carry higher-end stuff ($700+). Since I have a discriminating ear (from all those years playing piano & working in piano stores) and I suspect my horn experience will come back to me, I actually am inclined to skip the "beginner/student" world of trumpets--even though I don't know the first thing about trumpets.

For example, Osmun Brass is a repair shop down the street; they sell a few trumpets too. They love the Getzen 700S Eterna II (only trumpet they ever carry--out of stock right now) which they sell new for "about $800". I have also heard lots of praises for Yamaha. At Rayburn Music (next to Boston Symphony) I played a Yamaha Xena (top of the line? way more than I need but illustrative anyway)... sensed that I could go wild on the thing (if I had the lips) and it would really keep it together--an amazing feeling.

The other point of view came from a young pro trumpeter I met in town who said "just get the cheapest trumpet you can and play it until you outgrow it." There is logic to this--why wouldn't I grab a $150 trumpet from craigslist (or woodwind-brasswind)?

It was easy to justify $$$$ on my piano because I got to play lots of them and I knew what I was getting for the money. Now I am not sure. Thanks for any help!

-Bruce

Solar Bell

Just wondering....what piano did you buy?

And why?

-cw-

redface

Do any stores offer an instrument rental scheme? This be a way to try the trumpet for a couple of months before deciding how much cash to lay down for your own horn.

jflores

I played the Eterna horn for my first couple years in high school, before I traded up to a Bach Strad. The Eterna is a great horn overall. Good intonation, valves work well consistently, and you can't beat the price. If you don't mind buying used, I am quite sure there are many great pro horns being sold at there in the New England area for under $1000. You can find used Bach Strads for around the same price as the Eterna usually.

Eclipsehornplayer

Bruce,

I guess if I were you I'd want to invest the least amount of money that I can into a horn until I decide just how far I want to go.

If I were you I'd shop used; Ebay, this board and the sort. I got my King Silver Flair and Getzen Capri from Ebay sight unseen or played and have never been happier with a purchase.

Both are quality horns which I picked up well below the going new price.

I'm sure you're aware you can invest a lot of money in a horn if you want to. But since you play with piano's I'll shut up now. I'm sure a baby grand runs much more then the highest priced trumpet that I know of!

My advice is simple. I think that a good intermediate horn is a great place for you to start. Define what you want to spend and go for it.

I spent 550 on my Bb 1964 King Silverflair and 400 on my Bb Getzen Capri.

Right place right time I guess.

Happy hunting.

John

TrentAustin

I saw an ad on wsw.trumpetherald.com for an Olds Studio (great vintage playing PROFESSIONAL horn) for 500/BO. The seller is located in the Boston area (and no, it's not me).

Check their marketplace... as well as the one here.

Let me know if I can help at all.

Cheers,

Trent

bruce333

THANKS everybody for help. I visited the Olds Studio recommended by Trent. Nice horn and very nice owner--Joe. Coincidentally a friend of mine had an old trumpet in her basement that she gave me that same day. Joe played his Olds Studio and my basement-special. I am now happy recipient of free basement-special, which is a silver Conn Victor, ca 1968 (#L93179)--just cleaned up by Osmun (local repair shop).