Horns I’ve Previously Owned

The Adams A4 trumpet is known for being a solid, reliable instrument that works well for intermediate players and advancing students. It offers a comfortable, centered sound with good projection and responsiveness across the range. The valve action is smooth, and the horn tends to play in tune without effort, making it an easy instrument to enjoy for both practice and performance. Its build quality and tone color make it versatile enough for a variety of musical settings, from band to small ensemble. For the price point, it delivers strong playability and a pleasant sound that encourages musical growth. The Adams A4C Custom — I worked directly with Adams to build this one to my specs, including a shepherd’s crook tuning slide. They also installed a five-inch bell, but the bell was flattened, and the result was a disaster. I ended up sending it back, and to their credit, they accepted the return, but it was a terrible venture overall. The Bach Stradivarius — One of the most iconic professional trumpets ever made. Build quality and craftsmanship are excellent, which contributes to its consistent performance and enduring reputation. Overall, the Bach Stradivarius is considered a workhorse instrument that can handle demanding repertoire with clarity and musicality. For me, I do not like the sound of a Bach Stradivarius — this horn is what started me on my quest to find a dark sounding trumpet. The Kanstul 1600 is a solid intermediate-level trumpet with a full, warm tone and responsive feel. It offers good projection and a well-balanced sound across the range, making it comfortable for both ensemble and solo playing. The valve action tends to be smooth, and the horn generally stays in tune without too much fuss, which makes it a reliable choice for advancing students or players who want more depth and character than a standard student horn. Overall, the Kanstul 1600 delivers a satisfying blend of playability and tonal richness at a very reasonable price point. The Kanstul Wild Thing is a bold-sounding trumpet with a full, brassy voice and strong presence. It tends to lean toward a more powerful, slightly edgy tone compared to more traditional horns, making it fun and expressive for players who like a bit of personality in their sound. That said, its character isn’t for everyone — players looking for a more mellow or classic orchestral sound might find it a bit aggressive. Overall, the Wild Thing is a memorable horn with plenty of attitude and projection, especially appealing for players who enjoy jazz, contemporary, or anything that benefits from a bold voice. The Stage 470LT copper bell brings a distinctive warmth and resonance that you don’t always get in standard brass models. The copper bell adds a darker, richer tonal color with a smooth core and plenty of body, while still offering good projection. Response across the range tends to be flexible and forgiving, which makes it enjoyable for both melodic playing and more assertive passages. The valve action feels solid, and the overall build gives a professional-leaning feel without being overly aggressive. It’s a horn that stands out in terms of tone quality and character — especially if you enjoy a warmer voice with strong presence rather than a bright, edgy sound. The King 2070L-SGX Legend Pro — This is the one trumpet I wish I had never sold... It is known for its rich, centered tone, exceptional responsiveness, and powerful projection. It blends a classic American sound with modern versatility, giving you a warm core, open feel, and effortless control across the range. The valve action is smooth and precise, the intonation solid, and the overall build quality feels like it can handle anything from lyrical ballads to big dynamic statements with ease. For many players, this horn strikes a rare balance: depth of tone with playability that inspires confidence. It’s musical right out of the case and doesn’t fight you, which is why it stands out in memory — and why you wish you had never let it go. It’s the kind of trumpet that feels like an extension of your sound, not just an instrument. The Bach 184SML Silver is a classic player’s horn with a warm, refined tone and smooth response that makes it comfortable across all registers. Its silver plating gives the sound a rich, focused core with a touch of brightness on top, making it versatile for both lyrical jazz lines and ensemble playing. Intonation is reliable, and the valve action feels buttery and responsive, which encourages musical expression. Overall, it’s a well-balanced, well-built cornet that offers a beautiful sound and professional feel, especially pleasing for players who favor a mellow yet articulate cornet voice. The Kanstul 1530 is a well-made horn that combines warm tone with smooth response, giving it a pleasing sound that sits nicely between student and intermediate levels. It offers good control across the registers and reliable intonation, along with comfortable valve action that doesn’t fight you. The horn’s voice is rich and centered, making it musical both in ensemble settings and solo lines. Overall, it’s a solid performer that delivers enjoyable playability and a quality sound without demanding heavy effort, making it a satisfying choice for advancing cornet players or as a dependable second horn. The Schilke XA1 is a professional-level instrument known for its rich, focused tone and excellent response. It delivers clear articulation, smooth valve action, and reliably centered intonation, making it a favorite among serious cornet players. The horn’s sound is vibrant yet controlled, with enough presence to cut through ensemble textures while still maintaining a warm, lyrical character. Overall, the XA1 combines precision engineering with musical versatility, giving players a high-quality cornet that’s comfortable to play and inspiring to perform with. The Getzen Eterna 800L is a well-regarded intermediate-to-professional level horn with a warm, full tone and responsive feel. It delivers a comfortable balance of sound that’s rich in the midrange with clear, clean projection when needed. Valve action is smooth and reliable, and players typically find the horn stays in tune well across the registers. Its build quality and intonation make it a satisfying choice for advancing players or as a dependable performance instrument. Overall, the 800L combines solid craftsmanship with enjoyable playability, offering a musical and expressive cornet voice without excessive effort. I liked the horn, but the tuning slide was way too easy to bump and accidentally move without realizing it. It had to go! The Getzen 800DLX Eterna Deluxe is a higher-tier cornet with smoother response and a more refined tone than many intermediate horns. It offers a warm, centered sound with good clarity and projection, making it versatile for both ensemble and solo playing. The valve action is generally smooth and reliable, and the horn tends to stay in tune across registers. Compared to other models, the 800DLX feels a bit more polished, with solid build quality that gives confidence in performance. Overall, it delivers a comfortable playing experience with a rich, expressive voice, making it a satisfying instrument for advancing players or those who want a dependable, quality cornet. They did changed the tuning slide but I found the horn to be too light and it was not as dark as my Bach 184SML. The Martin Bohme Praedo is a distinctive cornet with a warm, focused tone and a smooth, responsive feel. Its design tends to produce a rich, centered sound that works well in ensemble settings and solo playing alike. The horn’s valve action is generally lively and dependable, making it comfortable to navigate across the registers. While it has its own tonal character — a bit more unique than some mainstream cornets — that personality can really shine in lyrical music. Overall, the Praedo offers an expressive voice with solid build quality, making it an enjoyable horn for players seeking something a little different from the usual brass instruments. The most expensive horn I have bought and I hated it. Again, it was very light and I did not find the new valves system to be any better than the old system. I was lucky and the company that sold it to me let me return it.