BLESSING SCHOLASTIC TRUMPET

 The Blessing co. has been around since 1906. No wonder... they're solid horns that deliver great warm tones. These trumpets can blow- up in a hurry.... very responsive. Band directors like these for their light, excellent working valves. E.K. Blessing was known for his superb valve design.  The "scholastic" is their student model. Here's a near mint Blessing Scholastic  for sale here.

GETZEN 300 SERIES TRUMPET

The Getzen 300 Series trumpet is the entry point for the old venerable company. But don't let that dismay you, these horns can take you a long way. These horns perform very well and are sought after by band directors throughout the country. They're free blowing with above average tone. The Getzen, like the Yamaha, is a very reliable instrument that has high demand in and around High School and College campuses. This Getzen 300 trumpet is in exceptional shape, buy it here.

KING 600 TRUMPET

The King 600 is a great playing, free blowing horn that you can count on. The have great valve action and deliver a strong, responsive tone. The king horn has thinner skin than some of it's peers... making it louder and brighter. These horns have plenty a pedigree. Buy this King trumpet here .

THE TOP FIVE STUDENT TRUMPETS OF ALL TIME

First of all, I would like to clarify the term "student trumpet" so as to not to confuse the history buffs. The idea of a student trumpet came about during the late forties and early fifties when trumpet sales were heating up. The big bands and the jazz ensembles acts were everywhere at the time. The companies didn't want to build a "student horn", so as to tarnish their venerable reputations. So the idea sprang up that what was needed was a great playing, pro feeling and sounding horn which could stand more abuse, more wear. There were several great companies building horns at that time. But the F.E. Olds Company, under the leadership of Roth Reynolds, built The "Ambassador" trumpet, which was an immediate hit. So other companies started pricing a less expensive "pro" horn for the bulging demand that was coming. When word got out that these "student trumpets" were really good.... very close in quality to the pro trumpets of the day, sales boomed! Remember, a pro trumpet in the forties could cost as much as a car.  So a horn that was within "reach" that could do the job was truly needed. But for the record book, the term "student trumpet" should be used lightly when discussing these well made horns. In reality, they're not that different from their sibling pro models.

 So lets get started,  the Olds Ambassador is without question the top student horn, the consensus is strong. With it's valve design and it's responsiveness and tone, the bullet proof Ambassador is at the top of the mountain. The number two, my dark horse, is the early Holton Collegiate trumpet, built before the Leblanc purchase in 64', these horns are all around great.... with a similar tone to the Ambassador (not quite as dark and edgy). These trumpets have excellent featherlight valves and are pleasure to play. Since Holton never really built a "student" horn, the Collegiate was their starting point.... it had thinner skin which helped it project some brighter tones. Sliding in third is the King 600 tempo series (UMI horns not  included). The King does not rule all.. but these trumpet have a big beautiful sound with great valve action. A great all around horn, the responsiveness and tone of the king may be it's best attribute. Running a real tight fourth are the 2 series Yamaha trumpets, which came later in the cycle in 69'.... they're free blowing and responsive. These Yamahas have consistency issues with valves and the finishes become brittle over time.... but delivers as an instrument with it's tone and playability. Lastly, the Getzen is a nice free blowing horn that is similar to the Yamaha. In fact, they could be switched in order.... as the consensus of the Trumpet Herald forum  would suggest.  But I will go ahead and drop them a notch down because of the valve issues.... they're a little less reliable.

1) The Olds Ambassador
2)  Holton Collegiate (early models 50's to 64' )
3) King 600 Tempo (60' to 65')
4) Yamaha YTR 2 series
5) Getzens 3, 5 series (capri)

I would like to mention that the Besson and Kanstul trumpets are close to the top also.... but because of their relationship and similarities to the Olds, I excluded them. But these companies are building the best "student horn" of the day. The starting line ups for the UMI brands of today, Bach, Holton, King and Conn are all good horns, but inconsistency issues still plague these companies... but improvements have been made since the late nineties.

So there it is, for all to ponder, digest and reject!

I'd like to thank the guys on the Trumpet Herald Forum for chiming in with their thoughts and filling in some blanks. I surely do appreciate it.     Thx. Trumpet King

The Trumpet King Collection can be seen here,  at my sister site on ebay.

CONN "SHOOTING STARS" DIRECTOR TRUMPET

The "Shooting Star" is the unofficial name of the  early Conn Director trumpets .  These were built between  the early fifties to 1970. The trumpets derive their name from a series of stars which are engraved along on the main tube, near the bell. The trumpets from the 50's, with the diagonal braces, are a little more desirable than the sixties model. The early models seem to respond better and project better, although the sixties models are decent too. The valves are a little noisy.... but not under pressure. They project a warm, mellow tone. Not the bite or the edge that an Olds Ambassador has..... but a smooth jazz or pop orchestra sound.

The Directors are built tough and will last for decades. The 14b and 18b are the corresponding model numbers for the Director series in the fifties. The 18b being made with a copper bell... giving it a darker more centered tone. The sixties model numbers changed to the 15b (brass) and the 17b (cooper).  These horns can be found in the range of 50.00 to 300.00 and offer a much better value than newer horns from china which can cost more. Most student horns were built with thicker skin... no exceptions here. This kept them from being dented easily by rambunctious students. Many players learned on these horns, with their 4 5/8 bell diameter bell and their free blowing ease of use, many more players will be weening their lips on these trumpets.

Here is a beautiful 14b 1956 model in excellent shape for sale here .

1956 KING SUPERIOR CORNET

This Vintage Cornet is an intermediate instrument built by the famous H. N. White King Company. This horn has some tarnish but is relative ding free. Comes with the original case and a cornet mouthpiece. These horns are known for  their mellow tone. They're free blowing and are sought after from vintage collectors. They intonation is a little tricky on these old gems. But once your there... wow! The King company killed off the "Superior" brand in 64'. This cornet sales for $179.00 with free shipping. This lightweight beauty has excellent valves... slots very well.

1925 Conn New York Symphony 22b Silver Plated Trumpet

When buying a vintage trumpet, trumpets built before 1970, like the venerable 1925 New York Conn  (picture) $599.00 . We also have brands like Selmer, Bach, Holton, Yamaha, Bundy, King, Getzen, or an Olds. Please visit my vintage trumpet store.