What are the Best Trumpets for Sale Today?
Everybody wants to know what's the best trumpet so we'll get that out of the way first. Of course the answer depends on what you want the trumpet for and your budget! That said, listed below are some the most popular and best rated trumpets including student, intermediate and professional trumpets.
LJ Hutchen
Best Student Trumpet
Price: $
- Great Starter Trumpet
- Built Tough
- Good Quality
Bach 180S37 Stradivarius
Best Professional Trumpet
Price: $$$$
- Legendary Sound
- Used in Symphony's Worldwide
- Highest Quality
King 2055 Silver Flair
Best Intermediate Trumpet
Price: $$$
- For Advancing Students
- Trusted Brand
- Excellent Quality
Trumpet | Model | Grade | Rating | Price* | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etude ETR-100 | Student | 4.2 | $ | |
| LJ Hutchen | Student | 4.8 | $ | |
| Jupiter 600S | Student | 5.0 | $$ | |
| Bach TR300H2 | Student | 4.8 | $$ | |
| Yamaha YTR-2330S | Student | 5.0 | $$ | |
| Getzen 590S-S Capri | Intermediate | 5.0 | $$$ | |
| Conn 52BSP CONNstellation | Intermediate | 5.0 | $$$ | |
|
| King 2055 Silver Flair | Intermediate | 5.0 | $$$ | |
| Bach TR200 | Intermediate | 4.8 | $$$ | |
| Getzen 900S Eterna Classic | Professional | 5.0 | $$$ | |
| Yamaha YTR-8310Z Bobby Shew | Professional | 5.0 | $$$$ | |
| Yamaha YTR-8335 Xeno | Professional | 5.0 | $$$$ | |
|
| Bach 180S37 Stradivarius | Professional | 4.9 | $$$$ | |
| Schilke B Series | Professional | 5.0 | $$$$ |
Pricing Key*
$$$$ = $2,000 to $3,000
$$$ = $1,000 to $2,000
$$ = $500 to $1,000
$ = less than $500
What Type of Trumpet Player Are You?
One of the most important factors to consider when shopping for the best trumpet for your needs is what type of player you are at your current level of expertise. A beginning trumpet player or a student will have a completely different set of needs than a professional player (or even an experienced amateur) will. If you’re still a student or have yet to make a serious commitment to playing the trumpet, a student level trumpet will most likely suit your needs just fine. Student trumpets are less expensive and don’t have a lot of the bells and whistles that might be useful to a professional, but unnecessary to someone that’s still learning the ropes. However, someone that is very serious about their playing may quickly outgrow a lesser quality instrument.
Student Trumpets
Student trumpets typically feature a lacquer finish that is less expensive than the alternatives. They also tend to be made of cheaper materials overall. Most student trumpets also lack additional features found on more advanced models, such as a saddle on the first valve slide.
Intermediate Trumpets
If you’ve advanced beyond your student years when it comes to your trumpet playing but aren’t quite ready to invest in a full-scale professional instrument, an intermediate trumpet might be a good option. Intermediate trumpets are usually made of silver which lends a much bright, deeper sound to the instrument. They also tend to feature first slide saddles more often than not.
Professional Trumpets
The professional instrument level is going to provide the largest array of choices when it comes to trumpets for sale. They’re made of the finest quality materials and you’ll have your choice of many different finishes. You’ll also enjoy a significantly higher degree of precision and craftsmanship than you would a more basic instrument, especially if you go with a handmade option. However, since trumpets of this caliber can be quite costly, it’s important to be sure that you’re ready to make a real commitment to your playing before investing.
What's Your Budget?
For most trumpet players, price is going to be the most important issue to consider when shopping for a new instrument and this factor can vary drastically from a few hundred dollars for a student instrument to many thousands of dollars for a handmade professional option. If you’re in the market for a more expensive instrument but happen to be shopping on tight budget, you can consider looking into buying a better quality that’s been gently used. This can be an excellent way to maximize the value of what you get for your money, as well-made professional grade instruments can actually improve with age if they have been properly maintained.
Understanding Different Types of Trumpets
Different trumpets come attached to different pitches as well, which you’ll also need to think about when evaluating the various trumpets for sale. You’ll definitely want to avoid buying the wrong kind. The most common, standard type of trumpet is going to be what is called a Bb trumpet. Be aware that a Bb looks incredibly similar to a C trumpet. However, a C is pitched much differently and will feature different fingering.
Other kinds of trumpets (and similar instruments) that you may come across include piccolo trumpets, cornets, and flugelhorns. In all likelihood, the type of trumpet you are looking for if you’re still at a beginner level will be the Bb trumpet. (If you’re unsure of which type you need, ask your instructor for advice.) Always verify the type of trumpet you’re buying with the vendor before you put your money down to ensure you’re getting the instrument that’s best for your needs as well.
What's the Best Trumpet Brand?
Of course, we all know the importance of buying from a reputable manufacturer when it comes to cars, clothing, and electronics. The same principles apply when shopping for the best trumpet for your needs. That said, it’s always a good idea to buy instruments made by well-known manufacturers with a solid reputation for producing good quality products. Names like Bach, Conn, Getzen, Kanstul, King, Monette, Schilke and Yamaha are well-known in the musical instrument business for delivering an excellent level of quality for affordable prices. If you’ve discovered a particular trumpet for sale that seems like an exceptionally good deal, but you’re unfamiliar with the brand name, make sure you do your research on the manufacturer first.
Where and How to Buy Your Trumpet
Once upon a time, buying a new trumpet meant visiting your local brick and mortar music store, choosing from the options they had available, and calling it a day. However, here in the 21st century, we have many other options at our disposal including a variety of choices from online trumpet vendors. Both buying online and buying from traditional shops have their advantages.
At a brick and mortar shop, you’ll have the opportunity to test drive the instruments, as well as ask direct questions of sales associates throughout the shopping process. You can test the weight and feel of each instrument, as well as hear the sound for yourself. However, online shops will give you access to a wider array of choices, as well as possible price breaks. For this reason, many musicians may choose to browse offline and then finalize their purchase online.
At the end of the day, buying the best trumpet for you is far from impossible. However, making a choice you’re sure to be happy with requires careful consideration, research, and knowledge. Use what you now know about making a great decision to help you make a perfect pick today!