trumpetman106

Hey I'm new here, and have been playing for 6 years. I have an older yamaha student model and realize that Its past time to upgrade to something much better. I love playing and want to continue past HS and college, so I want a good professional horn that I won't ever have to worry about "growing out" of. Currently I am looking at a budget around $1500-$1800 +- a bit. One model that sticks out is the Yamaha Xeno. In the full spectrum how is this horn? What other horns are worth me looking into? I know that for the Xeno line, there are 2 models; the YTR-8345 and the YTR-8355. Whats the difference between the two? How do they compare to a strat? (I have no idea when it comes to models, there are so many)

Thanks for helping me out!

Edit: I don't want to limit myself to just the yamaha or bach brand, those are just the two that I really know and have herd and seen. I want a horn that I will be happy with for years.

flugelgirl

The difference between the two models is the bore size - the 8335 is a ML, while the 8345 is a large bore. Yamaha makes great horns, and since you're already playing a Yammie, a Xeno will probably feel like home to you. Be sure before you commit that you try everything you can get your hands on - you never know what you might fall in love with. There are lots of great pro models out there - try as many as you can, both new and used - it'll help you make an informed decision, and it's a whole lot of fun, too!

__________________
Reeves V Raptor
Yamaha 8335RGM
50's Calicchio
Marcienkewicz Rembrandt flugel
Schilke P5-4
French Besson Classic C
Weril Regium Eb/D

I am now a Marcinkiewicz Artist!
http://www.marcinkiewicz.com/artist/index.htm

trumpetman106

Ok I plan on trying out way before I buy. How will a different bore size affect my playing? I assume a larger bore will take more air, does it produce a better tone?

veery715

They have 6 fewer strings.

I am sure ROWUK will weigh in on bore size. The gist I have gotten is that there is no rule about how it will affect you.
veery715

__________________
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

TrumpetGirl7

I'm in high school, and I recently upgraded to the Yamaha Xeno from a student model Bundy. I absolutely love my Xeno. I have the 8335. I did a lot of research, and a lot of questioning on trumpetmaster , and then tried out as many trumpets as I could. I tried out the different models of Strads and the Xeno, and the Xeno was very comfortable for me and had beautiful tone. Definitely try out as many trumpets as you can, and when you try them bring along a musical friend or teacher who can listen to the tone, etc. I personally love my Xeno. Good luck!

Sauer

Try the Conn Connstellation 38b. It is an amazing horn. I got to try one yesterday, and i immediately fell in love. Not only did it look beautiful w/ its silver plate and gold slides/trim, it slotted beautifully, was free blowing, and cheap. I see them a lot for $600-1000.

razeontherock

The 38B is going to be finicky with regards to condition, valve alignment, when it was made, etc. Lots to know! No such thing as a good one. GREAT, yeah! The "lemon" just needs TLC. If you can get your hands on a Getzen custom series I say it KILLS Bach, and gives Yammie more than a run for the money. The 3051 in .462" bore w/ 2 tuning slides, semi-round and round Jazz would be my preferred option. Here you can get that new for $1500, but finding one to try ain't easy. $2200 for a Charlie Melk custom (CBW) w/ a 37-ish bell is even better, but a little over your budget.

Lots of other options, but these will definitely give you the sound that will serve you well through school, and let you play much better than a Bach. (unless you happen to get a VERY good Bach that's just perfect for you)

ian simkins

Hi Trumpetman , if your looking around for a pro model horn give the shew 8310z a try. I bought one 6 months ago, my tone and range greatly inproved i have only been playing for 2 years but this horn has made a big difference already ! It just wants to be played !!

veery715

I can second the motion on the 8310Z. It is delightfully easy to play. It also gives the player a lot of feedback because of the bell design. But for someone (not necessarily the OP) who has been playing a larger bore horn it may seem stuffy until you learn to throttle back on your air.
I prefer the sound of my Lawler, but the Z is easier to play.

__________________
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

robmatthews

Hi trumpetman,

I agree with Ian. I have been playing trumpet for 30 years or so. The Yamaha 8310zs which I have now had for 1 year is the easiest and the best instrument I have ever played. In the past year I have made a real leap forward in my playing. Everyone is noticing! Very exciting for someone in his early fifties. I put much of it down to this great instrument. I have no problems with the sound. Quite the opposite. It is designed to be a jazz trumpet and this is reflected in the quality of the sound. If you want to play jazz then I think it is THE trumpet and I think that it sounds great in all styles of jazz. The sound is clean, bright and it cuts when you want it to but it can can also sound mellow and sad. It's very, very versatile. I don't play classical but, for the purposes of supporting my daughters who are learning flute and saxaphone and going through their grades, I have been playing one or two classical pieces. I have been enjoying the sound I made over these. However, recording these attempts and playing them back, I have to recognise that the sound I am getting is still jazzy. I am sure that this has much to do with the playing style that I have developed over the years but I also suspect that it has to do with the structure of the instrument.

Mine is a zs, being silver plated. I have recently read one or two comparisons between this and the laquered z version. One of these suggested that the silver plated version is too bright. I don't agree. I am convinced that within certain paramaters you get tend to get the sound you want to hear. Those trumpet players who want a nice tone tend to end up with one. I also believe that if you care about tone then you can transfer that tone from horn to horn (with the each horn making its own marginal difference). If you don't care about tone and if you don't believe that it is something that should be uppermost in your mind whatever style you are playing then I can see that a zs might exentuate any harshness,.. but then so might a lot of other horns. (Have you ever noticed those trumpet players, often very talented, who appear to think that tone is something for which they bear no responsibility. Such players need something very heavy, maybe with a copper bell, just to make the noise they are making bearable to the listener).

So what I am saying is, if you want to play jazz and you have a good sound then an 8310zs is going to make you sound even better.

I have also been very impressed with the quality of it. I think that it will last me for ever. Best of luck with your decision making!

Rob