AboutMike Pawul Expertise I am familiar with most trumpets, cornets, and flugelhorns. I can answer most questions about playing and musicality. Best of all, if I can't answer it directly I play regularly in five bands and have several "old timers" that are familiar with most things that I am not. I collect, repair, and refinish old horns and have sold over 350 with more than 230 on ebay
Experience I have played since 1965 and studied with many directors and trumpeters. I have been collecting since 2002 and have over 150 horns in my personal collection. I have done repair and refinsh since 2003 and have done over 500 horns.
Organizations Kosair Shrine Brass Band and Dance Band, The Notables, The Mello Tones, Bourbon City Brass Band,
River Cities Concert Band,
University of Louisville Community Band,
Member of Trumpet Players International Network (TPIN),
Bugles Across America (BAA),
Education/Credentials I played at Brunswick High School. I played through college and have a BS in Business Administration from Trinity College.
Awards and Honors Without being vain, numerous awards and have played in several honor bands.
Question Our son has been playing for two-and-a-half years and seems to show a real desire to continue. We are looking to purchase a good trumpet that he can continue to use through Jr. and Sr. High School. However, we are not interested in putting out $1500 to $2500 at this point. On the other hand, I see trumpets on ebay etc. for $35 to $150. Can we get a quality instrument for his purposes in the $300 to $600 range. If so what brand and style should we look for. Also, we would like to surprise him; however, would you recommend that he see it and try it out before we decide? Thanks for your help!
Answer Naomi, He sounds like a future top line player. Please stay away from a lot of the junk horns on Ebay. ANY new trumpet that says "engineered in" or "designed by" in the description is a Chinese junk brand. It depends on what style he wants to play and what the horn looks like. A used King Legend or Silver Flair, Getzen Eterna 700, or Yamaha 63XX or 43XX series, can be had in that range. There are different sounds to each horn but they all sound good and are built to last. If you have a store to take him to then do so. Tell him you are wanting to hear what he sounds like on different horns and let him play for you. He should be able to tell you what the horn plays like and you will get to hear what they sound like. Then you can go on Ebay and bid on the line that worked best. Do not think this will be a fast process, sometimes there aren't a lot of these horns on. I do see several Getzens on lately though. I can say that my main horn now is a Getzen Eterna 700. I just love the way it plays and sounds.
