rupren

I'm a comeback player and have a regular Bb but thinking about a pocket trumpet for use on business travel when space is at a premium. Question? How close is the sound to a regular Bb and wonder is this is a good option for occassional practice?
Thanks!

Mr. Semman

Welcome back. Just finished my first comeback year. As for pocket trumpets, I purchased a cheap one off e-bay, called a LeVal. I found that it has a great sound, but pocket trumpets do not project like their larger brothers. However, I played mine all last summer, practicing in my truck during lunch. I found that practicing helped develop my chops, and it was a lot more fun than just "buzzing". I actually found myself practicing more with that horn, than with the Bach TR300 I rented.

Hope this helps.

Gary

Hiwiller

Hi Rupren,

I can only give you my personal experience with one I picked up cheap. I've heard a lot of mixed reviews, even for the ones that seem to get decent feedback by those who have purchased them (the Jupiter horns on wwbw.com for instance) so I was hesitant to spend even the $400-$500 on those.

The main issue I've heard with these horns is intonation, especially for the cheap "chinese made horns". (I've quoted it because the ones getting decent reviews these days are supposedly also made in China). I would not be as confident with the lower priced Chinese models and would completely avoid the VERY inexpensive Indian made horns you see on eBay. In short, I would avoid something selling new for under $100.

Other issues deal with bad valves, bad joints, etc.

That said, here are my thoughts about my recently purchased, used, Jean Baptiste pocket trumpet (that I'm convinced is identical to the new Jupter horns):

Sound quality: much thinner than my Bach but not awful. Projects nicely when I push it.

Comfort: takes a bit of getting used to 1. playing with your right thumb about 1 inch from your chin. 2. hearing the sound from the bell much closer to your ears. 3. not having a 1st valve slide to adjust 4. figuring out how to hold the horn with your left hand (5. after a week on this tiny thing, switching back to your regular sized horn feels like your fingers are a mile from your face )

Pitch: with tuning slide all the way in, 3rd space C (concert Bb) is very close to my Bach with the slide in. Problem is that the C an octave lower is oddly flat to this pitch and difficult to lip up. Strangely, pulling the tuning slide a quarter inch affects the middle and upper register more than the low so it brings everything into a better pitch alignment.

Response, slotting, etc: horn is pretty free blowing with good resistance (really the reason I got this when traveling so I could get that real horn resistance). Seems pretty tight. Response is suprisingly good and the biggest surprise was slotting in the upper register. I found it almost better than my Bach

Workmanship: slide joints seem like they weren't lapped very well at the factory, needed to work them a bit with copious grease and oil to get them to move somewhat easily. Don't think I'm gonna be using the 3rd valve slide very often. Solder joints look clean from the outside but haven't run a scope to see what's on the inside. One valve is a bit sticky, maybe needs to be broken in to my "push angle" as the horn was light used if at all when I bought it. I'll try some Blue Juice or something if it continues. Again, not playing COV on this thing, just something to blow on the road.

Hope that helps. Again, this represents ONE horn and recall that even with Bach's, there are lemons and quality varies from time to time with changes in production so maybe I got a lucky one.

rupren

Mr. Semman and Hiwiller
Thanks ever so much for your sage advise!!!!
Regards,
Rupren

The King of Swing

I like his..

mototrmpt

I've never owned a smaller pocket trumpet like the ones mentioned above (Jupiter, etc...) so I can't really vouche for them. But I do currently own a Kanstul and a LA Benge pocket trumpet. As a business traveler, I think they are great. The Kanstul and the Benge have full size bells and you can tell they just have some additional bends in their tubing compared to their full size cousins. I've found the tuning on them to be comparable to most very good quality trumpets and the sound to be just bit softer than a full size horn.

The Kanstul and the Benge are great for traveling and if I can't find a place to play them without a mute, I use a trumcor practice mute in my hotel room. It's been about 50/50 of finding a place to play without a mute. I definitely prefer playing the pocket trumpet w/o a mute, but a mute is fine compared to not playing at all.

The problem with the Kanstul or Benge is the price. You can find a used one for around $900, but a new one will cost you closer to $1200. If you have the extra $$$ they are great. I haven't found many place where I would rather practice or perform with them as opposed to my normal horn. But if you travel alot and can spare the $$$ I would highly recommend either one.

-Lance

Kanstulbrass

There's no pocket trumpet that plays better, or more in tune than the Kanstul!

But I have tried some "imports" that are pretty good in terms on intonation:
"Marcato" from Shimokura (probably a stencil)
Pocket Trumpet from China Light (comes in color lacquer or silver)

Both are very inexpensive, and I found them to play well. The Marcato is fairly well-made, but the China Light has very soft plastic valve guides which wear down in a few hours.

The Kanstul is a professional-grade horn by the way, and it is very similar to our Chicago series in terms of design and tradition.

Thank you for reading,

Castle Bravo

When I deployed to Iraq I brought a pocket trumpet along in my ruck, & it served me well in Kuwait (before all the horns arrived in the connex, about 1 month). Sure there are problems, but one doesn't expect an eclipse quality horn in a pocket trumpet.
They are very small, easily transported, and if they get smushed you're not out a million bucks. It keeps the chops in shape......

Robert Rowe

I have an L.A. Sax branded pocket trumpet in white, with lacquered brass accents and slides. It has a small bell, which helps in keeping down the volume, as I find I don't have to use a mute. It seems to play in tune with itself pretty well, and has a nice tone. I use my trusty old Conn Wonder (deep "V" cup) mpc with an adapter -- you won't believe this, but it has a tone (with this set-up) very close to that of my '46 Committee.

Robert Rowe

rhdroc

Question for mototrmpt -- Have you noticed much different between the UMI Benge and Kanstul pocket trumpets? If so, please let us know the specifics. I believe the Benge is several hundred $$$ cheaper BUT is the Kanstul worth the extra $$$??

Thanks ---<Rick