Tromba TPC-WH Pro Professional Plastic C Trumpet, White

I play in a number of community bands, in a brass ensemble and occasionally in other small ensembles. I play at basically a good high school musician level; lead in some groups, last chair in others. I was looking for a inexpensive C trumpet so I don't have to transpose when some church group asks me at the last second to play along with the organ. Also I wanted to be able to play duets with my niece who plays violin, without transposing. C trumpets are mainly used by professional musicians in Orchestras, so there is no market in beginner horns and the least expensive used C trumpet that I have seen on internet sites was $2500. I could cut down a Bb trumpet to be a C, but that is a deal of work and can go bad.This horn came quickly. It looks nice. It is mostly plastic, except the lining of the pistons, valve cylinders and inside of the lead tube that receives the mouth piece. It came with two mouth pieces, cleaning brushes, cleaning snake, cleaning rod and a horn stand. To save money they only designed one valve/piston and just rearranged the tubing to and from those valves. That makes the horn more difficult to hold and the third valve slide harder to use, than normal. There is no first valve slide. The instrument tubing was designed a bit long so the horn is a shade flat. I tend to play sharp, so that is not a big problem for me, but it might be for you. It might be possible to file the receiver tubes (lead pipe and tube to third valve) that the tuning slide goes into, to shorten the horn a few millimeters. Another solution would be to find or make a mouthpiece that is shorter. The valves need about an hour of work to break-in and set right. Don't expect them to be fast to start. It comes with two plastic mouth pieces (7C & 5C) that balance well in the horn. You can use a metal mouth piece but that makes the horn back heavy (which I don't mind). The sound of the instrument is not bright, like a normal C trumpet is expected to be. The horn sounds mellow, almost muted. The effect is similar to a cup mute; dulling the sound, less volume, no ring, and makes it a bit airy. It takes some playing to get it to sound nice, but it is possible. Think of it as a excellent toy trumpet. It will work for me fine, but skilled musicians will probably be very disappointed.

I've only had it for a day but I love this horn! Free-blowing, light weight, nice tone, and $2000 cheaper than a Xeno. Only issue is the third valve tabs are backwards, wide side on the left instead of right, but that's barely worth mentioning. It was under $100 and arrived in about two days.Update: After playing it for a few days I do notice some intonation issues, like low D is really, really sharp. And the placement of the third valve slide ring makes it difficult for me to move the slide while playing. But I'm still very satisfied with it.

I love my TPC-WH C trumpet.. First, with reference to cost. I arrange music, part of which entails playing trumpet lines, then harmonizing those lines that make the mos musicalt sense. Transcribing these is made easier with the C trumpet. I could never have afforded a brass C trumpet.Second, the trumpet weights almost nothing. This relieves neck discomfort related to my cervical stenosis.Third, the sound is beautifully centered and perfectly in tune.Fourth, one can feel the vibration through the tubing, valve buttons, and valve casings much more so than on a brass trumpet, to continuously monitor that tone production is sound (lips vibrating one against the other, as supported with column of high-velocity air-stream). I use this, along with the experience of frequent near-syncopal episodes (from Valsalva maneuver), to help me know that I'm playing "right", so to speak, and not resorting to too much mouth-to-lip pressure and/or "strong-armin" techniques.My one reservation is that the valves work too hard to the point that, when having to play a rapid passage, this can disrupt one's embouchure. The valves do have metal casings and sheaths, however there's no getting away from the fact that the valve action is stiff.I should mention, too, that I have acquired a Tromba B-flat trumpet in the same deal, and, with respect to all the qualities I mentioned, above, the B-flat rates even higher.Finally, these trumpets are great for staying in motels while on vacation, traveling or whatever. Then, should one be so unfortunate as to have one's trumpet stolen from his or her car or motel room, it is, obviously, so much less of a financial loss to have this be a Tromba rather than one's Benge or Bach.

At first I was rather apprehensive, but after I played it about 3 times I was sure it was a worthwhile purchase. It sounds a little dull and muted, but it really goes along once you get adjusted to it. The plastic mouthpieces are also something to get used to; it's a totally different (not bad) thing. In the final analysis: It's a plastic trumpet and should not be confused with a fine brass instrument, but after hitting it a few times, I'm very glad I took the plunge and bought what I thought would be little more than a novelty.

As others have said, ships with two sets of springs, with the heavy springs are installed. I tried the light springs and they did not push the valves up in any of the 3. But for the price, is a great way to get a C-Trumpet if you are just experimenting. I advise parents to NOT try this for a student, since they should use Bb horns starting out IMHO. Get advice from your music instructor or band leaders. The case is plastic with styrofoam interior, all about half the weight of a brass trumpet and case.

Bought C Trumpet to play duets with the grandkids - Brass C trumpets are $2,000 or more. Great value below $200. Tested the trumpet pitch on electronic tuner - perfect pitch in low and high register - came with two mouthpieces, a cleaning kit, and a travel case. The valves and valve casings are metal and have great action. The trumpet has a free flowing easy blow, The tone is mellow and has a remarkable timbre considering this is a plastic trumpet. All in all very satisfied. Great for the beginner or someone that is looking for a bargain priced quality trumpet. You won't be disappointed.