Opinions of General Quality of Martin Trumpets

[MasterWannabe]

I have had several Martin trumpets, I currently own a 1934 Handcraft Imperial converted to 'C'. In the course of finding older instruments to repair/rebuild I have run across numerous Martin trumpet. In trying to learn more I sought advice from numerous folks and in summary the consensus I got was to stay from Martin instruments with serial numbers higher than 200,000 and of course that Martin Busine and other closely named instruments were not real Martins.

Any opinions/comments are appreciated.

[tjveloce]

I’m not sure that I accept the criticism that anything made by Martin after 200xxx is of poor quality. I’m fairly sure that most of us with day jobs just don’t have the ability to understand the differences between trumpets. To be clear, we might notice differences in timbre, slotting, or intonation, but ultimately we’ll compensate one way or another in order to get the sound we want, but we won’t completely understand exactly how we modify our approach in order get that sound.

As an example, a year or so ago I came across a Martin Committee from the early 60s….post 200xxx. I have a 56 Large Bore Deluxe with which I am fairly familiar. When I switch from my Committee to my Benge, or my Yamaha, I certainly can hear and feel differences in the horns, but does that imply poor quality? If a horn requires that you move more air, of pay more attention to intonation or articulation, but in doing so produces a better quality of sound, does that make it poorer quality?

I made a video, it’s around here somewhere, of me playing my 56 Committee back to back with the later model horn. I don’t recall them feeling much different as far as blow goes, and the sound was similar too.

Finally, there’s little doubt that quality control in modern horns far surpasses that of anything made in the 50s, 60s, or even 70s. So there may be a wider range of “quality” in any vintage horn, but that doesn’t mean they were all crap.

Ultimately all that matters is what you like, which will inevitably be the horn that requires the least amount of work to produce the sound you want.

-tj

[administrator]

They are all high quality, but I have found them to be very unique trumpets. They likely won't blend well with other horns at all. That being said, who cares, if you like how it plays and your band director doesn't complain...you're not principal of NYPO, I'm assuming? They hold their value well, being sort of "cult classics" at this point. Although, I would say the large bore Committee models are overvalued, they will never drop much below $2k at any point.

[ROWUK]

The "general quality" of Martin trumpets in 2021/2022 is that they are very, very old and have no general quality. There are well maintained and restored ones and essentially hopeless cases with everything in between.

That all being said, in 2021, the market "knows" that these are sought after instruments and command a premium price regardless of the true playing condition. I can only recommend to play before you pay.

I have played several - including some very, very good ones, but none of them screamed "buy me" and I do not regret never having owned one. There are many other instruments that I would prefer to own. I like to think that this says more about me than about very good Martin instruments.

[GeorgeB]

@rowuk
Though I am sure that they are great players, if in good condition, I would still never pay inflated prices to own a Martin.

[Dr GO]

@rowuk said in Opinions of General Quality of Martin Trumpets:

I have played several - including some very, very good ones, but none of them screamed "buy me" and I do not regret never having owned one. ...this says more about me than about very good Martin instruments.

I agree. They are not easy instruments to play. They have a greasy slotting quality (at least the 5 I have played, including the one I own). But when I am playing in a small group ensemble, greasy is what I want as I like to bend and glide during many improve solos and this instrument gives amazing flexibility in doing so.

Playing greasy... this says more about me than about the very good Martin instruments as well.

Here is a Facebook post from this past Thursday who caught me playing my Martin on a gig. It pretty much captures my above commentary.

https://www.facebook.com/1368582191/videos/pcb.10227211330813609/231510809094251

[stumac]

@dr-go WOW!!! great glisses.

Regards, Stuart.

[Dr GO]

@stumac said in Opinions of General Quality of Martin Trumpets:

@dr-go WOW!!! great glisses.

Regards, Stuart.

Thanks, the power of the Martin Committee! Greasy!

[GeorgeB]

@dr-go
Some great playing there, Doc, but I don't think it's because of the horn. The grease may work well on the Martin, but IMHO I bet you can get that greasy thing on most any horn you play.

[Dr GO]

@georgeb said in Opinions of General Quality of Martin Trumpets:

@dr-go
Some great playing there, Doc, but I don't think it's because of the horn. The grease may work well on the Martin, but IMHO I bet you can get that greasy thing on most any horn you play.

Kind words. bit I would have to work harder on any other horn to get that effect, and at my age, I need all the help I can get!

[GeorgeB]

@dr-go said in [Opinions of General Quality of Martin Trumpets]

Kind words. bit I would have to work harder on any other horn to get that effect, and at my age, I need all the help I can get!

I get you. Hey at 85 I need more than all the help I can get.

George