Are you ready to upgrade to a better trumpet? If you’re finding that your trumpet is holding you back or isn’t getting the sound you want, then it might be time to graduate to a higher-end trumpet. There are loads of great models on the market, but knowing which are the best brands and what specific features actually mean can be a bit confusing, even for an intermediate player.
In this post, we’ve put together a list of what we think are the best professional trumpets currently on the market and break down all the important things to consider when graduating from an intermediate model. Let’s get started.
Quick Answer: The Best Trumpets for Professionals
Best Pro Trumpet Reviews
Before we get to our buyer’s guide, it’s time to first look at our professional trumpet reviews to help you narrow down the options.
1. Bach 180S37Professional Trumpet
- Features a 1st slide thumb saddle and adjustable 3rd slide rod stop
- Comes with a C180 wood shell case and Bach 7C mouthpiece
At number one, we have the Bach 180S37 Professional Trumpet. This model is an excellent choice for advanced and professional players. It’s silver-plated, so you can get a brilliant sound to help project over a loud band or orchestra without busting your chops.
If you don’t like the look or sound of silver, though, this model also comes in brass lacquer. But that version will cost a bit more. Either way, you’ll get a good trumpet with a first slide thumb saddle to make playing comfortable. The third-slide rod stop also helps with comfort and quick tuning to keep you sounding good.
Along with the trumpet, you’ll get a Bach 7C mouthpiece, so you have what you need to play. Plus, you get a protective case for when you need to take a practice break. Then, you don’t have to leave your trumpet out and worry about dust or other damage. Check it out below.
2. Bach 190S37 Silver Stradivarius 50th Anniversary Professional Trumpet
- Bore: .459” medium-large
- Bell: #37 one-piece hand-hammered, yellow brass
- Leadpipe: Standard construction #25
Next, we have another option from Bach, the 190S37 Stradivarius Series 50th Anniversary features a .459-inch bore. Its one-piece, hand-hammered bell is yellow brass, but there’s silver plating over the entire instrument. The Monel pistons move smoothly, and you get first- and third-finger slide adjusters.
This instrument sounds and looks excellent, and it’s great for advanced players. The silver plating makes the trumpet sound brilliant. It also offers a quick response, so you can get a nice sound, while the leadpipe’s construction also helps. And the model is versatile, which makes it suitable for orchestral, jazz bands, and solo playing.
You’ll also get a Bach 3C mouthpiece, one of the best trumpet mouthpieces on the market, so you don’t have to buy one separately. And everything comes in a convenient case. That way, you can protect your investment when you aren’t practicing or performing. If you’re looking for a quality upgrade, you can’t go wrong with the Bach Stradivarius trumpet.
3. Yamaha YTR-8335RSProfessional Trumpet
- Bb Trumpet with Silver-plated Brass Body
- Extra-thin Valve Casing
- 4.9" Yellow Brass Bell
The Yamaha YTR-8335RS is another fantastic professional trumpet model. It features a reverse leadpipe, so it gets bigger as you move away from the mouthpiece. The tuning slides are also reversed, which can help you tune the instrument, and you won’t have to worry about seeing parts of the trumpet without the silver plating.
This model has Monel pistons and handlapped slides to help you tune. There are double main tuning slide braces that can also help with intonation. The one-piece drawn leadpipe helps direct your air into the instrument to get a good tone.
Yamaha’s design makes the trumpet a bit heavy, but that helps give your sound a nice core to support your playing. But the pistons are nice and light, so they can move up and down to help you play the correct pitches. That way, you can get a reliable response from the trumpet, and you can play it for years to come.
4. Yamaha YTR-8335RGS XenoProfessional Trumpet
- Bb Trumpet with Silver-plated Brass Body
- Extra-thin Valve Casing
- 1-piece Brass Bell
A similar model to try is the Yamaha YTR-8335RGS Xeno, which is in the same series as the previous Yamaha trumpet. It has many of the same features, including a hand-hammered, one-piece annealed bell. The slides and pistons are also the same as the other model.
You can use this trumpet to project over a large ensemble, so you make sure the audience will hear you. That makes it an excellent choice for playing in an orchestra or band. The Xeno line of trumpets makes it easy to get a good response at all dynamics, so this model is quite versatile.
Plus, you can choose between silver plating and brass lacquer. Then, you’ll be able to get the look and sound you want out of a trumpet. The weight of the trumpet helps you make a full, resonant sound, and the lightweight valves make it easy to play.
5. Bach AC190S Artisan Series Stradivarius C Professional Trumpet
- Bore: .462” Large
- Bell: 4-13/16” one-piece, hand-hammered
- Valves: Monel Piston
The Bach AC190s is yet another fantastic trumpet for professionals and advancing students. It has a large, .462-inch bore to help you get a full sound. The Monel piston valves are pretty standard at this level, and they can move up and down smoothly. And the large bell also helps you get a good sound.
This model also features a one-piece, hand-hammered yellow brass bell. But the entire instrument is silver-plated to help offer a bright, projecting sound. However, this trumpet is in the key of C rather than the standard Bb. So make sure that’s the key you want before you invest in this model.
Still, it’s an excellent addition to any serious trumpet player’s collection. If you ever come across a C trumpet part, you’ll have the perfect instrument to use. You can get a nice tone, and it comes with a deluxe double case so that you can keep the trumpet safe.
6. Getzen 900S EternaProfessional Trumpet
- Classic design is exceptionally free blowing with excellent intonation
- For working musicians and serious amateur players in a variety of music venues
- Bore Size: . 460"
The Getzen 900S Eterna features a classic design that makes it very free-blowing. That way, you don’t have to work too hard to get a sound out. It also has amazing intonation, so you can stay in tune for an entire practice session or performance.
You can use the first-slide saddle and third-slide ring when playing. Then, you can correct any intonation issues without having to stop your practice. That can also come in handy if you experience issues during a concert.
This trumpet’s bore is .460 inches, so it’s nice and large. The nickel silver slides and mouthpiece look good and help you get an excellent sound. And the entire silver plating of the instrument can also improve your tone. This model is particularly useful for professionals, but serious amateurs should also give it a try.
7. Getzen Standard 907S Eterna ProteusProfessional Trumpet
- Bore Size: . 460"
- Slides: Hand lapped nickel silver
- Mouthpipe: Custom gold brass
Getzen also makes the 907S Eterna Proteus trumpet, with many of the same features. The bore is .460 inches, which is a bit larger than some. That shape allows you to get a full sound that resonates well. Meanwhile, the custom gold brass mouthpiece can give you a warmer tone than other silver-plated trumpets.
Underneath the silver plating, there’s a two-piece yellow brass bell. It has a special heat treatment to help it stay in good condition and give you a nice playing experience. The nickel silver slides are easy to adjust to help tune the instrument. As you play, you can adjust the first and third slides with your thumb and pinky, respectively.
The mouthpiece that comes with this model is a 7C. However, you can swap it out for any other mouthpiece to get the sound you want. Then, you can use the trumpet for jazz, classical, and other genres that you want to play.
8. Yamaha YTR-8310Z Bobby ShewProfessional Trumpet
- Unique Bell Bead Design, Hammered one-piece bell, Laser-fused pluzuma welded bell
- Hand lapped pistons and slides, Unbraced inner outer tuning slide
- One-piece, drawn, gold brass leadpipe offers excellent intonation, response and proper resistance.
If you don’t like the look or sound of a silver-plated trumpet, you may want to try the Yamaha YTR-8310Z. Yamaha teamed up with the famous player Bobby Shew to design this model, hence its namesake. The model makes it easy to play the entire range of the trumpet at both loud and soft volumes.
It’s a Bb trumpet, so it’s suitable for playing solo, with an orchestra, or in a jazz band. The lightweight model has a small bore measuring .445 inches. That may help you direct your air through the instrument, so you don’t need as much air to play.
The one-piece yellow brass bell looks good and can help project your sound in a large concert hall. You also get a gold brass mouthpiece, so you can get a warmer sound. And the handlapped tuning slides and valves move easily to help you play fast passages like a breeze.
9. Jupiter XO Series 1602RS-RProfessional Trumpet
The Jupiter XO Series 1602RS-R has a medium-large bore that measures .459 inches. It also features a reverse rose brass leadpipe, which can be hard to get used to. But you may find you like the design over the traditional leadpipe shape. On the other end of the trumpet, there’s a rose brass bell that can help project your sound.
Over the entire instrument, there’s silver plating that offers a bright tone. It’s an excellent upgrade from a beginner or student trumpet, and it’s not too expensive. Like some other models, you can adjust the first and third slides as you play to make sure you don’t go out of tune.
You’ll also get a mouthpiece and case, so you have everything you need to play. If you’re on a bit of a budget, that can be nice since you don’t have to spend extra. However, this instrument, like other professional models, isn’t cheap by any means.
10. Bach LR180S-43Professional Trumpet
- Bore: .459” Medium-Large Bore
- Leadpipe: #25LR Reversed
- Bell: 4.8” #43 Taper, One-Piece, Yellow Brass, Hand-Hammered
Another one of the best professional trumpets to try is the Bach LR180S-43. It has a lot of the same features as other Bach models, including a reversed leadpipe and a .459-inch bore. There is also a one-piece tapered bell that can help project your sound to a large audience.
Meanwhile, the Monel piston valves move up and down freely to help you play fast passages with ease. It also has silver plating, which is pretty common at this level. All of the features can help you get the best possible sound out of your trumpet.
If you need more control and a quick response, give this model a shot. It comes with a mouthpiece and case, so you have everything you need. Then, you don’t have to save as much money to buy those accessories separately.
How to Choose a Professional Trumpet: A Buyer’s Guide
Are you ready to move up to a professional level trumpet?
Your years of practice and experience have paid off, and now you’re ready to get a trumpet that reflects your advanced skills. However, what do you look for and a top-shelf trumpet?
Let’s go over the ins-and-outs of everything you’ll need to look for in choosing a professional trumpet.
Professional vs Intermediate Trumpets
There are some big differences between professional and intermediate trumpets.
One of the key differences is how the body of the trumpet is constructed. Professional trumpets are made out of high-end materials designed to produce the cleanest sound. These instruments have a superior valve action, and they’re made by some of the most respected brands the world over.
The biggest difference between professional and intermediate trumpets actually has to do with the musician.
As you grow out of your intermediate trumpet, you’re going to start to develop an ear for all the little differences between beginner, intermediate, and professional level trumpets.
Once you give some of these professional trumpets a test, you’ll never be able to go back to the sound of even the best intermediate trumpets.
Key Features
There are a few things you should look for in any pro trumpet.
The first is build quality. You want to find a trumpet that has high-end valve action as well as brass pipes. You’re also probably going to want to look for a trumpet with larger bore holes as these produce a more robust sound.
The trumpet should have a finish that helps you achieve your desired tone and matches your style.
You also want a warranty that protects your investment and the right accessories kit to keep it well maintained.
Finish
Is a lot to get into when you consider the finish of a professional trumpet.
The first thing to consider is that aesthetics are important. You’re ready for a professional instrument and that means you’ve discovered something about your style and your tone. You want an instrument that’s going to help you look, and sound, the part.
Here are the five types of finishes for trumpets and what you can expect from each one.
Raw Brass
Raw Brass is the classic finish for a trumpet. Technically, this isn’t to finish at all. It’s just the raw material of the trumpet standing out.
Visually speaking, this finish is going to look antique very quickly. Some might like the patina that develops on their raw brass trumpet, but others might think it looks dingy.
The tone of raw brass is dark and wide.
Lacquer
Lacquer is the newest innovation when it comes to trumpet finishes.
This is a synthetic topcoat that is the cheapest and quickest to apply.
The big downside to lacquer is that you will have to have your trumpet re-lacquered several times throughout its lifespan.
The brass brand Schilke tested the sound quality of different trumpet finishes.
While the results are more subjective than scientific, it’s worth pointing out that most musicians found lacquer trumpets to have a worse tone than raw brass or nickel-plated instruments.
Silver
Silver is the compromise for musicians who enjoy the tone of a raw brass trumpet, but who don’t like the raw brass patina.
Silver plating also stands out with a unique aesthetic style that might make or break this choice of a topcoat for you.
Nickel
Nickel plating is all about durability when it comes to trumpets.
This finish can stand up to a lot of abuse and retain its bright, metallic color.
However, this is a more brittle and cheaper finish than silver which means that when it is damaged, it’s going to be much more noticeable.
Satin
And finally, Satin is another popular finish for trumpets.
This is created by roughing up the surface of a raw brass trumpet and then applying a topcoat.
Satin has one of these smallest impacts on the tonality of the instrument, but many musicians say that it’s quick to wear down.
Even so much as wearing a ring while playing your trumpet can scratch the satin coating.
Valve Action
Valve action is going to be one of the biggest upgrades you get when you move from an intermediate to a professional trumpet.
This might not be something you notice right away, but after years of playing the instrument you’ll notice a higher level of consistency and quality in the tone you can get out of the trumpet.
Let’s take a look at the two most common types of valve actions and how they are different.
Nickel-Plated Pistons
Nickel-plated Pistons are the go-to for professional trumpets.
It all comes down to the big advantage that Nickel-plated Pistons have over Monel Pistons.
Nickel-plated Pistons are forged from a superior alloy. They wear down evenly after they’ve been heated in the manufacturing process.
This means that your instrument is going to wear uniformly over time. If you’ve been playing any instrument for long, you know that one of the biggest characteristics of a professional instrument is that they develop their own character over time.
Nickel-plated Pistons allow your trumpet to slowly ease into its own particular voice. Monel Pistons wear unevenly which leads to problems in tone and maintenance.
Here’s a closer look at why Monel Pistons should be avoided for top tier trumpets.
Monel pistons
Monel Pistons are named after a specific type of metal alloy known as a Monel.
This alloy got very popular because it’s stainless and easy to produce. It has a lot of great applications and industrial purposes, but it might not be the best choice for a professional instrument.
Metal goes through a process known as annealing. This is how the metal changes shape and character when it heats up.
Monel alloys anneal unevenly. This means that, after years of playing, the valve action will lose balance through uneven wear.
You might even wind up spending tons of money to replace your valves or have them nickel-plated.
Warranty
A good warranty should cover regular wear and tear on the instrument as well as have a policy for accidental damage.
You want a warranty that’s going to support your purchase and have your back even if your trumpet gets damaged.
You might also consider purchasing a protection plan for your trumpet. You can think about this like insurance that covers a wider range of damage to your trumpet for a longer period of time.
Accessories
There are a few accessories you’re going to want to get when you upgrade to a professional trumpet. These are must-haves.
If you’re ready for a professional-level instrument, you also have to commit to a professional level of care.
You need to consider cleaning and upkeep for the trumpet.
This means regularly applying good quality valve oil, getting a brush for the mouthpiece, and getting a snake brush to clean the pipes themselves. Debris can build up in the pipes over time and regular brushing is the key to a consistent tone.
The last thing to consider is also one of the most important. You want to get a case that will protect your investment in this professional trumpet.
The best trumpet cases are ones with a hard and are also a great choice for musicians who frequently have to travel as they can protect your trumpet from being dented or damaged when you check your bags.
A softer, leather case is a great choice for your daily storage of your trumpet. These cases allow temperature and moisture to move more freely which creates a more stable climate for your trumpet. Stability helps prevent wear and damage to your instrument.
Best Professional Brands of Trumpet
Reputation is one of the best things to look for in a high-end trumpet brand. You want to find a company who has a proven track record of producing professional level instruments.
Here are just a few of the companies that you can turn to when you’re ready to upgrade to that pro-tier trumpet.
- Yamaha
- Schilke
- Adams
- Bach
The highest end of Allora trumpets could be considered professional instruments, but Allora’s reputation is mostly built on beginner and intermediate trumpets. If budget is a big motivating factor, the next section of this guide is for you.
Budget
Budget is a big consideration for every musician. This is especially important if you’re ready to take the jump to professional level gear.
Beginner and even intermediate musicians can get away with budget instruments, but once your skill levels reach a certain level, you start to notice all of those little downsides to even the best budget trumpets.
A professional trumpet is going to cost you somewhere between $2,000 and $4,000. There’s really no way around this expense.
These high-level trumpets are built out of the best materials and to the highest standards.
Once you’re ready to move up to a professional trumpet, you should consider saving up. There are other options like finding a reputable used instrument shop, renting one or purchasing a new professional trumpet on layaway.
No matter which path you pick, you want to make sure that you’re paying for a quality that matches your skills.
Conclusion: Which One Should You Buy?
That concludes our article how to buy a professional trumpet. We hope it’s helped explain some of the most important things to look for.
Whether you’re looking to become the next Louis Armstrong or are ready for an upgrade, it’s worth taking your time to research and know exactly what you’re paying for. Then, you can select the right instrument for you.
Choosing a trumpet is a very personal decision, but if you’re still on the fence about which one to go for, we’d recommend taking a look at theBach 180S37Professional Trumpet.
The trumpet has many excellent features that you’d expect from a pro instrument. And if you don’t absolutely love it, compare it to the others on this list to find the one that works for you.
- Features a 1st slide thumb saddle and adjustable 3rd slide rod stop
- Comes with a C180 wood shell case and Bach 7C mouthpiece
