Are you a serious trumpet player? You have risen through the ranks of beginner trumpeters and intermediate trumpeters. Now you have reached the heights of a professional standard.
The correct trumpet should include top-quality craftsmanship to ensure the trumpet gets the best out of your ability.
It is worth taking time to research your instruments before committing to a purchase. Professional trumpets are reserved for an elite group of trumpeters. The passion and time you have dedicated to your instrument deserve the best quality trumpet.
Professional models are meticulously handcrafted from high-quality materials, Therefore, the sound quality is often rich and of the highest standard. These wonderfully crafted instruments are often more expensive than beginner or intermediate models but can be used in a wider range of performances and broaden a performer’s horizon.
Finding the right trumpet to meet your requirements is essential but can also be confusing. We have included reviews of our top five professional trumpets followed by a helpful buyer’s guide to take into consideration before investing. Our final FAQs will answer any of those burning questions you may have.
In a hurry? If you can’t wait to see what our top pick is, here it is:
OUR TOP PICK
Our top pick is an exceptional trumpet from a very well regarded brand. The Yamaha YTR-8335RS Xeno Series Bb trumpet is a unique, top-quality instrument with an array of impressive features.
The distinct design of the Yamaha YTR-8335RS allows professional players to make darker tones in a lower register. Players are able to use the resistance and standard lead pipe whilst bringing their range out of the pocket.
This horn is a wonderfully crafted piece of equipment. There is even the possibility of adding a different mouthpiece to the trumpet to change the sound to your preference.
Features such as the reverse tuning slide design make this trumpet stand out. This feature helps offer smooth resistance and airflow with comfortable playability and a rich tone. The construction is rather heavy, as with most professional trumpets. This creates a solid tone core for a rich sound that doesn’t break up at any time.
It blows comfortably and freely whilst giving enough air resistance for a quick response. The tonal flexibility is astounding along with a sharp beautiful tone. The lighter weighted piston and valve casing help optimize the trumpet’s overall performance.
The YTR-8335RS trumpet is a favorite amongst professional trumpeters all over the world. One of the reasons for its popularity is the bright yet rich sound it generates.
Many believe it has the brightest and greatest sound of any trumpet. This is especially impressive as the Xeno series was originally met with trepidation and doubt but receives the utmost respect from most professional trumpet players.
Pros
- Incudes a reverse tuning slide offering smooth resistance and airflow
- Has a smooth, responsive, and perfect intonation
- Lightweight piston and valve casing for optimized performance
- Hand-hammered one-piece bell allowing for a quick response and wonderfully rich tone
- Suitable for many forms of music from classical to jazz
Cons
- No spit valve so spit sometimes gets trapped and comes out through the bell
EDITORS CHOICE
Our second pick is the impressive Jupiter Professional XO Series Bb Trumpet with Reverse Leadpipe. Being the highest level of trumpeting, this professional horn is of an exceptional standard.
The bore of a trumpet is a crucial component. Influencing the overall sound of the instrument, it is important that the bore is the right size and of good quality.
The Jupiter Professional XO Series offers this with a mid-size-large bore design measuring 0.459 inches in size. The meticulous hand-crafted bell measures 4.8 inches and features an intricate rose brass design.
The design of this trumpet is uncomplicated yet eye-catching. The standard rose brass design is evident in the lead pipe of the trumpet too.
The top of the horn sees Monel pistons with a 2-piece valve casing, to provide a great sound. These combinations help this trumpet produce a pure, individual sound.
The responsiveness of this horn is special. It can create a bright sound when pushed but plays smoothly and mellow when required. The intonation is exquisite alongside soft and quiet valves.
Rounded tuning slides guarantee perfect tuning for any performance. The comfort of this trumpet is another remarkable aspect thanks to pearl inlaid and metal finger buttons.
With comfort and easy handling, the Jupiter Professional XO Series Bb Trumpet is one of the best to play.
Pros
- Quality Monel piston and long-run valve combine to create a perfect sound
- Intricate rose brass design on the hand-crafted bell
- Includes a standard mouthpiece and protective case to prevent any damage
- Rounded tuning slides to guarantee precise fine-tuning
- Added comfort with metal finger buttons and pearl inlaid
Cons
- Doesn’t come equipped with many additional features
BEST VALUE
Another top-class instrument from the Yamaha brand is at number three. The Yamaha YTR-8335LA Custom Series Bb Silver Plated Trumpet is a special horn and a popular choice amongst professional trumpeters.
The YTR-8335LA has all the ingredients for those looking for a trumpet that provides excellent performance. Developed with one of the top West Coast studio players, Wayne Bergeron, this trumpet has been designed by a trumpeter for trumpeters.
The attention to detail is magnificent with an extravagant French bead design. Medium-large bore tubing help produce wonderful tonal colors that are bold, strong, and suitable for many genres such as jazz and pop.
The taper has been modified to deliver a quick response and high air capacity during a performance. A complex sound is generated through so many features in the Yamaha YTR-8335LA series.
The bell shape ensures the trumpet produces a brilliant sound and brass valve casings help create a broad-ranging overtone for any occasion.
If you’re a player who prefers an open feel when playing, the larger bore of this instrument will be perfect. It provides a perfect resistance level for utmost comfort.
The trumpet’s body is constructed with a modified bell shape for a quicker response and sound. This is a truly versatile instrument that is perfect for most professional players.
Pros
- Developed in partnership with a professional trumpeter ensuring the design and structure is up to the standards of professional players
- Lavish French bead and side seams in medium-large bore tubing to offer wonderful tones
- A modified taper for a quick response and high air capacity
- Lead bell shape for the excellent projection of complex sounds
- Larger bore to provide superb resistance level for perfect control
Cons
- Apart from a protective carry case, there are no additional features
RUNNER UP
The YTR-8345 Xeno Series Bb Trumpet Lacquer is designed for players who want power, projection, and a rich, warm sound.
Yamaha is renowned for its innovative designs and world-beating craftsmanship. The Yamaha YTR-8335LA Custom Series Bb Silver Plated Trumpet is no exception.
The amount of work that went into producing this instrument is phenomenal. Over 30 years of research with professional trumpeters around the world has helped create a trumpeter’s dream horn.
Some of the world’s top symphony orchestras will include the YTR-8345 Xeno trumpet as well as jazz performances and popular music.
The bore is a larger size to generate a powerful leading sound. The trumpet is heavyweight, as are most professional horns, and this produces a solid, steady tone core that refuses to break or spread at any instance. This horn provides a good amount of air resistance for a quick response and excellent tonal flexibility.
This is a new generation of Xeno trumpets and the improvements are evident with a lighter response for control of all the dynamics.
The piston and valve are lightweight alongside new long-type water keys for optimized overall performance. A centered tone is on show thanks to a redesigned bell taper.
With traditional hand-craftsmanship combined with modern-day manufacturing technology, the Yamaha YTR-8335LA is a contemporary great.
Pros
- Over 30 years of research and development with top trumpeters to manufacture a trumpet especially for professional players
- Suitable for most music genres including classical, jazz, and popular music
- Produces a solid tone core that won’t break or spread when pushed hard
- State of the art long-type water keys for optimized overall performance
Cons
- No hard case included for extra protection
RUNNER UP
If you are looking for a classic horn at an advanced level, then the Bach LR180S-43 Stradivarius Professional Bb trumpet is a good choice.
Although only number 5 on our list, this trumpet still manages to perform all that is needed in a professionals’ performance.
The Bach LR180S-43 has a balanced intonation in Bb. The tune key body’s construction is made from top-quality gold and silver and is an alluring instrument to behold. Although a solid horn, the lightweight feel of it is surprising. This makes it ideal for any expert player.
Boasting a 43 bell and medium-sized bore, the Bach LR180S-43 produces a wonderful, warm tone.
A bonus is the additional features that are available with this horn. When purchased, the trumpet comes with a 25LR standard mouthpiece with molar valves which assist the trumpet’s strong, high-quality tone.
More additions include a comfortable bag with velvet inlay for transport and protection, a 1st valve slide hook, and a 3rd valve slide ring.
Pros
- Light, balanced weight and strong grip for easy playability
- Beautiful gold and silver body design to stand out in an orchestra or band environment
- Comes with additional features such as a protective bag to prevent any damage
- Built with a 43 bell and medium-large size bore that contributes to a rich and warm tone
- Includes a mouthpiece with molar valves to suit any player’s specifications
Cons
- Valves stick when not lubricated and maintained properly
Best Professional Trumpet Buying Guide
When selecting a new trumpet, it is soon easy to see that there are many factors that need to be considered.
It is exciting to see so many options on the market today but the more options there are, the harder it can be to decide which is best.
The trumpet is a surprisingly simple instrument. With few moving parts, it is easy to see why it is an attractive option to play. Even with few parts, trumpets need the best materials and top craftsmanship to sound and play correctly.
There are many ingredients that make a trumpet stand out and professional trumpets require the right amounts to be of the highest standard.
We have compiled some important information below for you to consider when investing in your next professional trumpet.
Size
Trumpets come in all shapes and sizes. These range from the minuscule piccolo to the heavyweight bass.
The most common size is the Bb (flat) trumpet. This is seen in orchestras, bands, jazz, and popular music. With Bb trumpets, a written C, when played, sounds a tone lower at Bb.
Leadpipe
The leadpipe is vital to the trumpet’s sound and structure. The leadpipe is a tube that connects the mouthpiece to the first tuning slide. You will find it is marginally tapered with the slide end a smaller size than the mouthpiece end.
You may have noticed that some professional trumpets have a reversed leadpipe that is larger than the slide. These are usually preferred by players as they offer less air resistance and offer greater control over the trumpet’s tone and intonation.
If you tend to play loudly, non-reverse pipes are better as they don’t distort like reverse leadpipe models.
The leadpipe can be made from different materials including yellow or red brass and sterling silver. Yellow brass leadpipes need to be cleaned regularly but are not as expensive to manufacture. Red brass leadpipes help soften the horn’s tone and are more durable against any corrosion.
Mouthpiece
One of the most important parts of any trumpet is the mouthpiece. These come in varying sizes and shapes. Different dimensions of the mouthpiece can drastically affect the ease of playing and the tonal effect on the instrument.
Mouthpiece shapes include a series of numbers and letters to suit each player’s specifications. It is important to note that each manufacturer uses its own system. Mouthpieces produced with deeper cups usually generate darker tones.
Those with deeper throats will produce a louder sound but will find it difficult to play softly. The Bach 7C the basis of most mouthpieces as it is easy for beginners but if you are a more advanced trumpeter, different mouthpieces will be used for different performances.
Bore
The bore isn’t someone who puts people to sleep with their trumpet knowledge. It is actually the inside diameter of the main tubing.
These usually range from around 0.450 to 0.472 inches. It is normally agreed that wide-bore instruments are harder to play but produce the loudest notes.
Bell
The bell of a trumpet is its amplifier. It projects and spreads the sound around a room for maximum volume.
The most important matters to consider with trumpet bells are the material they are made from, their size, and their construction.
Bells vary wildly in size. They range from around 4.5 to 5 inches wide. Most professional trumpet bells are made from rose brass and these contribute a warmer tone, although some models are made from silver brass.
For a leader tone, one-piece trumpet bells are considered the best. These are hand-hammered into shape and resonate the easiest with players.
Valves
Modern trumpets consist of three piston valves. These connect small sections of slides to the main tube, therefore, lowering the pitch. These valves are made from different metals.
Professional trumpets usually have valves made from a nickel-sopper alloy called Monel. This is stronger and prevents corrosion in long term use but normally needs more maintenance.
The first or third valves generally have adjustable slides to move with a finger grip and adjust intonation if needed.
It is important to maintain these valves in order for them to work smoothly and quickly. The trumpet can become unplayable if the valves stick so regular cleaning and oiling with high-quality valve oil is crucial.
Tone
Professional trumpets should always be bright and clear but not piercing. There are a jigsaw of factors to influence a trumpet’s tone including the leadpipe, the bore, and the bell size.
Even with all the right components, each player has their own taste and preference. If you love the sound of a particular trumpet, that should be enough for you or you can get a second opinion from a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What brand should I buy?
There are many brands to choose from when buying a trumpet. You shouldn’t just rely on the manufacturer’s name when investing in one.
This won’t always determine the quality of the instrument but well-known brands have proven to be extremely reliable with top-quality instruments. Top brands to consider include Yamaha, Bach, Jupiter, Conn, Getzen, Cecilio, and Coxier. These all offer exceptional construction and consistency.
What is the average price of a professional trumpet?
As you can see from our list, professional trumpets don’t come cheap. This is due to the craftsmanship and high-end quality of the instruments.
It is essential to find a reliable and durable trumpet and this will often cost in excess of $3,000.
