Which professional trumpet is worth the money? We compare ten of the most played pro Bb trumpets by price, bore, bell, construction and sound, and show which famous trumpeters play each one.
Trumpet Records · Professional Trumpet Guide 2026
Best Trumpet Brands 2026Top 10 Trumpet Models Compared
Trumpet Records
Quick answer
What is the best professional trumpet?
The Bach Stradivarius 180S37 is still the industry standard, and Bach calls the 180 series the best-selling professional trumpet in the world. The Yamaha Xeno YTR-8335 gives you pro-level consistency for a little less money. The Schilke B1 is the most versatile choice for players who move between styles. If money is no object, a handmade Monette is the ultimate statement instrument.
By budget
Best professional trumpet by budget
Professional trumpets fall into three clear price groups. Prices below are approximate new US prices seen in September 2026; they change often and vary a lot by country and dealer.
Buying guide
What makes a trumpet professional?
A professional trumpet is not just a more expensive student horn. The difference is in the hand work, the materials and how precisely the parts fit. These points matter most.
The shortlist
Top 10 professional trumpet reviews
Each review covers how the trumpet is made, what it costs, what it sounds like and which well-known trumpeters play it.
BachBach Stradivarius 180S37
- Bore / bell.459" ML · 4-7/8" #37 bell
- BuildOne-piece hand-hammered yellow brass bell, #25 leadpipe, hand-lapped monel pistons
- OriginMade in Elkhart, Indiana, USA
- Played bySean Jones, the Saturday Night Live Band (Bach artists)
The 180S37 is the trumpet most professionals compare everything else to. The #37 bell gives a centred, flexible sound that works in orchestra, big band and church. Vincent Bach designed the Stradivarius in the 1920s, and the 180 series is still Bach's best-seller. Quality can vary between individual instruments, so play several and choose the best one, or buy from a dealer who selects them.
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YamahaYamaha Xeno YTR-8335II
- Bore / bell.459" ML · 4-7/8" one-piece bell
- BuildOne-piece yellow brass bell, gold brass leadpipe, hand-lapped monel pistons; reverse-leadpipe 8335R version
- OriginMade in Japan
- Played byWayne Bergeron (co-designed the 8335LA version), Louis Dowdeswell
The Xeno is famous for consistency: two Xenos off the shelf play almost the same, which is not always true of handmade horns. Intonation is excellent and the response is easy in every register. Lead and studio players should look at the YTR-8335LA, developed with Los Angeles studio legend Wayne Bergeron (5" bell, about USD 3,500).
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SchilkeSchilke B1 Custom Series
- Bore / bell.460" ML step bore · 5" #1 taper bell
- BuildOne-piece yellow brass or beryllium copper bell (fixed or tunable), reverse leadpipe, rounded tuning slide
- OriginMade in Chicago, USA, since 1956
- Played byArturo Sandoval, Lin Biviano, Curt Ramm (Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band)
The B1 was Renold Schilke’s own favourite design. The reverse leadpipe and large bell throat make it feel free and open, and it can go from a dark, full sound to a bright, ringing one. Arturo Sandoval built his international reputation on a B1. The beryllium bell option adds about USD 100 and gives a more compact sound with extra projection.
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YamahaYamaha Xeno Artist YTR-9335CHS “Chicago”
- Bore / bell.459" ML · 4-7/8" one-piece bell
- BuildHeavy, one-piece yellow brass bell with French bead, square-cornered bell bow, square main slide, thicker leadpipe
- OriginMade in Japan
- Played byJohn Hagstrom, Chicago Symphony Orchestra (co-developer)
This is Yamaha’s flagship orchestral Bb trumpet. Yamaha developed the Chicago series with John Hagstrom of the Chicago Symphony, one of the most famous brass sections in the world. It is heavier than the Xeno 8335, so the sound stays dense and focused at loud dynamics. Its sister model, the YTR-9335NYS “New York”, has a slightly broader sound.
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AdamsAdams A4LT Custom Series
- Bore / bellM, ML or L bore · 126 mm (about 5") bell
- BuildHandmade one-piece hand-hammered yellow brass bell with French bead, lightweight valve section, 3 stainless steel pistons, Amado water key
- OriginHandmade in Ittervoort, the Netherlands
- Played byAmik Guerra (co-developer)
The A4LT is the lightweight version of the Adams A4, developed with Cuban trumpeter Amik Guerra. A lighter receiver, bracing and valve section make it fast and free-blowing, while the sound keeps a solid core at high volume. Adams lets you choose bore, bell material and finish, so two A4LTs can be set up quite differently. Most dealers ship it in satin gold lacquer.
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YamahaYamaha YTR-8310Z “Bobby Shew”
- Bore / bell.445" step bore · 5" bell
- BuildHandmade one-piece yellow brass bell with flat-dome rim, reverse gold brass leadpipe, hand-lapped monel pistons
- OriginMade in Japan
- Played byBobby Shew (co-designer)
Jazz trumpeter Bobby Shew needed one trumpet that could play a screaming lead part and a soft ballad on the same night. The Custom Z is the result. The small step bore makes the upper register very efficient, and the light 5" bell keeps the sound warm. It is one of the most popular jazz and commercial trumpets ever made.
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S.E. ShiresS.E. Shires Destino III “Doc Severinsen”
- Bore / bell.459" ML · 4-3/4" bell
- BuildOne-piece hand-hammered yellow brass bell with French bead and custom Severinsen taper, hand-lapped monel valves
- OriginHandmade in Massachusetts, USA
- Played byDoc Severinsen (co-designer)
Doc Severinsen, the legendary bandleader of The Tonight Show, worked with S.E. Shires for several years on this trumpet. The Severinsen leadpipe feels open and free-blowing, and the sound is brilliant and very large. It is Shires’ premier Bb trumpet and a favourite for jazz and commercial work.
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XO BrassXO 1600I “Roger Ingram”
- Bore / bell.453" · 4.8" bell
- BuildYellow brass bell, reverse rose brass leadpipe, stainless steel pistons
- OriginMade by KHS (Jupiter), Taiwan
- Played byRoger Ingram (designer; lead trumpet with Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Harry Connick Jr. and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra)
Roger Ingram designed the 1600I for lead trumpet players and has played it exclusively since 2009. The smaller .453" bore and rose brass leadpipe make the upper register efficient and the sound projects well over a big band. It gives you a true artist model at the lowest price in this list.
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MonetteMonette Raja / Unity P3 & LT
- Bore / bellCustom · P2/P3 models with 5.75" bell flare
- BuildHandmade, heavy-braced construction; Raja models use a threaded integral mouthpiece
- OriginHandmade in Portland, Oregon, USA
- Played byWynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Avishai Cohen, Guy Barker
Dave Monette makes some of the most expensive trumpets in the world. Each one is priced individually, and Wynton Marsalis’s special Prana P3 took more than 250 hours to build. The design reduces the energy lost in the instrument, so the trumpet slots and centres very securely. The P3 has been Monette’s main jazz trumpet for over 20 years; the lighter LT and MF models suit all-round and lead playing.
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MartinMartin Committee (vintage)
- Bore / bellMedium or large bore · vintage Committee bell
- BuildDesigned in the late 1930s with input from a “committee” including Renold Schilke, Vincent Bach and Elden Benge
- OriginMade in Elkhart, Indiana, USA
- Played byMiles Davis, Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Chris Botti
No trumpet has a bigger list of jazz legends. Miles Davis played a Martin Committee, and Chris Botti still plays a rare 1939 large-bore Committee Handcraft because his hero Miles played one. It is not made any more, so you buy it used. Most sell for USD 1,000–3,000, and restored rare examples can go much higher. Have a technician check the valves before you buy.
Read the historyPhoto: Wikimedia Commons (CC0)Side-by-side data
Professional trumpet comparison table
Compare price, bore, bell, build and famous players at a glance.
| # | Model | Approx. price | Bore / bell | Materials & build | Editor score | Famous players | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bach Stradivarius 180S37 | USD 3,500 – 4,000 | .459" bore · 4-7/8" bell | One-piece hand-hammered yellow brass #37 bell, #25 leadpipe, monel pistons, made in the USA | 4.9 / 5 | Sean Jones, SNL Band | All-round professional playing |
| 2 | Yamaha Xeno YTR-8335II | USD 2,700 – 3,450 | .459" bore · 4-7/8" bell | One-piece yellow brass bell, gold brass leadpipe, monel pistons, made in Japan | 4.8 / 5 | Wayne Bergeron (8335LA) | Consistency and value |
| 3 | Schilke B1 | USD 4,225 | .460" step bore · 5" bell | Yellow brass or beryllium bell, reverse leadpipe, rounded tuning slide, made in Chicago | 4.7 / 5 | Arturo Sandoval, Curt Ramm | Players who move between styles |
| 4 | Yamaha Xeno Artist YTR-9335CHS | USD 5,670 – 5,810 | .459" bore · 4-7/8" bell | Heavy one-piece bell with French bead, square bell bow and main slide, made in Japan | 4.7 / 5 | John Hagstrom (CSO) | Orchestral players |
| 5 | Adams A4LT | USD 3,300 – 3,900 | M / ML / L bore · 126 mm bell | Handmade hand-hammered bell, lightweight valve section, stainless steel pistons, made in the Netherlands | 4.6 / 5 | Amik Guerra | Solo, lead and crossover work |
| 6 | Yamaha YTR-8310Z Bobby Shew | USD 3,300 | .445" step bore · 5" bell | Handmade one-piece bell, reverse gold brass leadpipe, monel pistons, made in Japan | 4.6 / 5 | Bobby Shew | Jazz and commercial playing |
| 7 | S.E. Shires Destino III | USD 4,995 | .459" bore · 4-3/4" bell | Hand-hammered Severinsen-taper bell, French bead, monel valves, handmade in the USA | 4.5 / 5 | Doc Severinsen | Big, brilliant jazz sound |
| 8 | XO 1600I Roger Ingram | USD 2,500 – 3,400 | .453" bore · 4.8" bell | Yellow brass bell, reverse rose brass leadpipe, stainless steel pistons, made in Taiwan | 4.4 / 5 | Roger Ingram | Lead trumpet on a budget |
| 9 | Monette Raja / Unity | USD 10,000 – 20,000+ | Custom · up to 5.75" bell | Handmade heavy construction, integral mouthpiece on Raja models, made in Portland, USA | 4.8 / 5 | Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard | Players who want the ultimate horn |
| 10 | Martin Committee (vintage) | USD 1,000 – 3,000 used | Medium or large bore | Vintage design from the late 1930s, made in Elkhart, USA; condition varies | 4.3 / 5 | Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Chris Botti | The classic jazz sound |
Compare two models
Compare two professional trumpets side by side
Prices are approximate US retail prices seen in September 2026 and change often. Confirm the current specification and warranty with the seller.
Professional trumpet FAQ
Questions before buying a professional trumpet
What is the best professional trumpet?
The Bach Stradivarius 180S37 is the industry standard. The Yamaha Xeno YTR-8335 offers the best consistency for the price, and the Schilke B1 is the most versatile. The best trumpet for you depends on the music you play, so try several.
How much does a professional trumpet cost?
Most new professional Bb trumpets cost USD 2,500–6,000. Handmade custom trumpets such as Monette cost USD 10,000 or more. A good used professional trumpet can cost much less.
What is the best trumpet brand?
Bach, Yamaha and Schilke are the most widely played professional brands. Adams, S.E. Shires and Monette are respected handmade makers, and XO offers artist models at a lower price.
What trumpet does Wynton Marsalis play?
Wynton Marsalis plays Monette trumpets. Dave Monette built him a Prana P3 that took more than 250 hours to make, and Monette lists him as a player of the P3 and LT models.
What trumpet did Miles Davis play?
Miles Davis played a Martin Committee. Chris Botti plays a 1939 large-bore Martin Committee Handcraft for the same reason.
Bach or Yamaha: which is better?
Both are excellent. Bach Stradivarius trumpets have a classic, rich sound, but individual instruments vary, so choose carefully. Yamaha Xeno trumpets are very consistent and slightly cheaper. Play both before you decide.
What is the best trumpet for jazz?
The Yamaha YTR-8310Z Bobby Shew, the S.E. Shires Destino III and Monette trumpets are popular jazz choices. For big band lead playing, look at the XO 1600I Roger Ingram or the Yamaha YTR-8335LA.
When should a student move to a professional trumpet?
When the student plays regularly in serious ensembles and the student trumpet starts to limit their sound or range. Ask a teacher to help choose. See our guide to beginner and student trumpets for the earlier stage.
Prices, specifications and availability vary by market and change often. Artist associations are based on manufacturer and dealer information and may change over time. Editor scores are opinions.
Buying your first trumpet? Read Best Trumpet Brands for Beginners & Students. Browse all works in the Trumpet Play-Along Catalog A–Z or find PDF parts in the Trumpet Sheet Music Library.
