Bach Stradivarius 37: The "GOLD STANDARD" Trumpet? | Instrument Reviews

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

It took me seven years of posting on this channel to talk about the world’s best-selling professional trumpet, but here we finally are! Hope you enjoy this episode of Scholastic Brass Month 2023!

[@sammy2840]

Bought my Bach in 1970 from the lead trumpet player in the Airforce Stag band. He loved my Bach but bout a Wesson in France. My teacher was a good friend of his so I GOT HIS HORN, Still love it!

[@amandamarin926]

super cool

[@ROBERTF177]

Back in the day (and I’m talking 1976) My High School band director would communicate to parents of all the best trumpet players that he recommended an upgrade. He got us all Bach Strads. I fell in love with it at the start and have never stopped loving the sound and intonation and to some degree the resistance. You hit it on the head when you mentioned the “sound”. That is what is most important to most players. While I have found and own trumpets that respond a bit easier and don slot quite as tightly I will never be without a Bach 37 in my quiver.💜🎺

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

It just goes to show how different some players are. I’m glad to hear you found your “one true love” of trumpets, but although Bach trumpets are famed for their sound, it’s not a sound that my physiology can cooperate well with. I like playing my Bach 229CL, but on almost any Bach Bb I find myself working extremely hard and producing a sound that is strident. If you listen to me on my Yamaha 8310Z, it’s a very different sound than you hear in this video.

[@dougmorris5625]

I own a beautiful 1957 Bach Strad. large bore, copper bell all in brand new condition. I am the original and only owner, now 78.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Copper bell? Wow! Very, very cool. Lucky you.

[@viktorartamonov1844]

У меня был strad Vernon 54 года и тоже с раструбом из красной меди,но ML

[@InstantSoup4]

AFAIK Bach has never used copper to make a bell. Can you provide pictures?

[@t.l.williams3684]

Great review Samuel! I totally agree with your review! You put into words what I try to explain to my students! I had a 37 in college. I was told that is what I needed. It was a 1971 model. It was a tank and a good all around horn. Especially for brass quintet. Though I didn't like it for jazz band and especially when I was playing lead. I would actually play my Conn Director for lead. 😄 I used a Bach 1x mpc. so the horn wasn't so "brassy" and I could blend. But that made the horn a little difficult to slot. Your analysis of the different era of Bach I have also found to be correct. I played one of my students 37's from the early 1990's. Totally different feel. Thanks for the review. You helped to verify what I was thinking.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

You’re definitely not alone-GU’s main “lead” guy, a friend of mine in the business school, has a Strad 37 but I would catch glimpses of him using a beat-up Olds Ambassador student horn in the practice room. He told me he was messing around with it in jazz because he liked its sound more and found it freer above the staff. Pretty soon, he was using the Ambassador unashamedly for all his playing! I’m not a huge Ambassador guy myself, but it definitely is a testament to how important it is to have options and know your preferences as a player. I will say my favorite 37s have been two from the 70s or 80s if I remember correctly, and each with a first slide trigger. I don’t even prefer slide triggers over shunts; I think they just settled into the slot a little better due to the slight added mass, maybe? Anyhow, glad our observations were on the same page, and thanks for tuning in! :)

[@alesssos]

Excellent review on a true classic! The stop-rail nut system is genius, always loved those things

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Thanks Steven :) It’s a very classy solution but my one gripe with it is unless you order and install an especially long rail, you can only extend the 3rd slide about half as far as on my Yamaha. Trumpet players (very occasionally) have to pull the 3rd slide out to a major third rather than a minor third to facilitate low register passages like the prelude of Carmen, and it’s a lot harder to do on a Bach.

[@RedDragon313]

Playing on a 54 Olds Recording. No regrets. Sounds beautiful!

[@bigeyezzzzzzz]

So glad you are continuing on your path as the official trumpet guru of all time, Sam!

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

@@bigeyezzzzzzz It’s a slow trot, especially when I’m studying to go down a completely separate career path, but I’ll take it as it comes!

[@rylanclarkson3296]

This review truly speaks to me. I have access to a Strad all of the time. It is a fine horn. However as primarily a euphonium player I will 9/10 times will grab my '75 Benge 6x Large Bore. It is lighter and larger that the Strad. It is light and dainty with huge low end at the bottom and it is huge and in your face at the top.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

@@rylanclarkson3296 I definitely see how being a low brass player would make one averse to a Strad. They trend toward the stuffy side in many cases. It’s interesting because for me, going in the opposite direction (M bore) yields the greatest payoff-to-effort, but I’m sure we have very different approaches to playing.

[@mitchkent68]

I’ve had mine since 1981 and it’s still great!

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

@@mitchkent68 Many from that era are! It’s a shame that the current QC standard from Conn-Selmer is hardly a fraction of what it used to be. I’ve consistently liked 80s-90s Strads more than modern ones like the one in this video.

[@mitchkent68]

@ I’ve heard about the Conn-Selmer poor QC, which is too bad. Which brands of trumpets today are at the same quality as the 80s Bachs, in your opinion?

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

@@mitchkent68 Yamaha and Schilke are at the forefront in my opinion. Yamaha’s Xeno and Artist models are seemingly all NY and Corporation Strad clones, and their Custom Z models as well as many of Schilke’s B series cover more of that niche Vindabona sort of ground. Jupiter XO is also really starting to climb towards excellence. I’ve really liked the XO 1602s I’ve played. Other than that, you end up having to go boutique if you want such a level of quality, consistency, and attention to detail.

[@gavriushka]

When the 37 was actually around $2400 US, awesome. Damn good trumpet at the price. At this point, when the 190 37 is literally $4500+, thank you, I’ll pass on that one. It’s not worth that kind of money. You’re far better off with a Vindabona analog competition from Yamaha in the face of 8310ZII. Absolutely incredible trumpet even today at $2750. Absolute stunning instrument and much more versatile than Bach 37. I played on the 37 for most of my life, but the Bobby Shew is just a full step ahead and still much cheaper. Don’t know what happened to Bach is doing, but along that much for 37 is just plain stupid. You could add a grand to it at this point and get most custom made trumpets like Lotus. Either way, great video!

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I had no idea as an 8310 player that my horn was an analogue to the Vindabona! That’s really cool. And I agree-Bach’s new prices are absolutely through the roof. Quite a shame considering there are other makers who are arguably doing much more innovation. I’m really glad you’re liking your Shew horn though!

[@gavriushka]

@@SamuelPlaysBrass yes, I didn’t know that originally either, but it is, it starts as a standard .459 bore but goes all the way to .468 at the end before the bell. And I loved the 8310, but I’m now on the Lotus Silver Flair. Absolutely stunning horn. Never had a better trumpet. Although I am tempted by the AR Resonance Feroce which is just stellar as well.

[@bernardomanara389]

I just love Bach sound. It has aa.... I don't know, something particular of its own. This makes it so addictive to my ears. Lovely. A mix of big, creamy , sweet, powerful, intimate, epic.... Oooh boy, everithing in one core.

[@sirdaniel1975]

My main horn for the bast 33 years has been a Bach 18037 (circa 1990). In 1996 I did my first modification to it, a single radius round tuning slide made by Bach. It wasn't a huge change, but enough for the time. About a year ago, I put the KGU Brass Heavy Trim Kit on it as an experiment. I can now play tonal qualities with that horn that were simply impossible before. When people see my Bach, they ask, what kind of horn is that? Then I tell them, and they say, Really! But, you are right, no two Bach trumpets will play and feel exactly alike. I really believe I lucked out, and mine was a good player for me. I say lucked out, because it was ordered over the phone.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Thanks for your comment! Glad to hear you got a lucky Bach, and moreover by ordering without getting to test it, if I’m under you correctly! I think the single-radius slide is a good way to offset the heavy bracing of the horn-although I’m not talking about mass, but more so the firmness of the slots and how hard it is to “energize” the air in the instrument. For instance, my Yamaha 8310Z has a pretty squared-off tuning slide, but the reverse leadpipe offsets it. I imagine putting a rounded slide on a conventional leadpipe would have a similar effect. I’ve never tried KGU’s heavy caps but I love their mouthpiece booster! I reviewed it a couple years ago and when listening back to my video clips with versus without the booster, I was amazed by how much of a difference it made! I have an old Chinese-made trumpet that I intend to scrap for parts which came with heavy caps, and the bottoms are compatible with my Yamaha, but I haven’t been the biggest fan so far of adding mass anywhere besides the mouthpiece. Might need to experiment more!

[@sirdaniel1975]

@@SamuelPlaysBrass The entire heavy trim kit made the horn more responsive. I tested it with just the 3rd bottom cap, then 1 & 3, the all three. Plus, tested it with the stock upper caps and buttons versus the heavy. For me, the entire set made it for me. I'd be very curious as to what they do for a horn like the 8310Z, which is already famous for it's responsiveness. I also have a Yamaha 4335G that I picked up as a spare horn, and bought the KGU Hvy trim set for that horn. For me, it was the same thing, the entire set was a really nice addition.

[@sirdaniel1975]

Oh, and I have the mouthpiece boosters too. They are nice, but they feel like overkill with the trim kit sometimes. Some of the science, if I remember correctly, is that they actually remove some of the resonance. Which is partly why I think some people like or dislike.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

@@sirdaniel1975 Funnily enough, the booster is magic on the 8310Z, whereas the heavy caps seem overkill to me personally. I didn’t find the horn any more responsive with heavy bottoms-if anything, the apparatus responded in a more sluggish sort of fashion.

[@peternaryd_operasinger]

Great video Samuel!😁👍👍👏👏

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Thank you!

[@peternaryd_operasinger]

You're so welcome!

[@chasefreak]

In the professional world, I have yet (in 37 years) to meet a guy playing a Bach 37...only in high school and some college kids...the pro's (at least in the commercial world) use Schilke, old Conn's, Calicchio, Yamaha...I don't see Bach's in the commercial world that much anymore. Back in the '80's, I remember playing in a section where all of us (except one guy), had Bach 72* models-one guy had the 43 leadpipe on his 72* and that horn was a killer-this was right before I went w Schilke in April '89. BTW-the 37 bell was Vincent Bach's copy of the French Besson Meha bell...the Schilke M (medium) bell is also a copy of that Besson bell w/o the French bell bead...Doc Severinsen, when he was endorsing Getzen, had Bach 37 bells soldered onto his Getzen horns...

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

This is an interesting perspective to be sure. It makes sense when I think about it that very few professional players doing commercial or studio work would be using a Bach 37 trumpet-perhaps proof that it is less so the “end-all” and more so a safe choice for someone who’s new to professional-level trumpets and is furthermore not keen on doing much exploration or trialing. It makes me feel a little better about my not particularly enjoying the 37. I am very surprised, though, that not only was the 37 not entirely an original design on VB’s part, but that Schilke, let alone Doc Severinsen of all people, would replicate or use it. I MUCH prefer Eterna bells over Bach 37 bells. The standard non-Severinsen (sorry Doc!) Eterna is one of my very favorite trumpets out there.

[@chasefreak]

@@SamuelPlaysBrass I had an Eterna-great horns but man, I swear they were put together with spit and chewing gum LOL-braces were always falling off, I wore a hole in one valve casing-but they played great and had great valves. As far as the Bach 37...you know Charley Davis had a 37* but put a #43 leadpipe on it and a Reeves valve alignment which really opened the "blow" on it...a buddy of mine in Orlando still has or had a '70's 43* and that horn was a killer!!! I almost stole it LOL

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

@@chasefreak Wow, I can’t say I’ve ever had a Getzen trumpet fall apart on me, but I’ll keep that in mind. I do imagine a good 37* with 43 leadpipe or 43* would be a lot better than a stock 37 for my use.

[@LuisRMorales-n3s]

Tengo una Trompeta Bach Stradivarius 1970 y es espectacular... Su buen Sonido , facilidad al tocar , comoda en el flujo de aire. Del 1964 al 1970 estas Stradivarius modelo 180 Tienen unas características de fabricación diferentes a las Bach Stradivarius del 1975 hasta hoy...

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Thank you for your comment. I have not had the chance to try a Bach Stradivarius of that age, but I would believe they play very differently to a modern one.

[@James_Dawes]

Brilliant video as always! Feeling like a longer comment as I play on a 37! I'd really echo for anyone reading what sam said about if you're stepping up to this level of trumpet then trying them out first! I went to the shop initially thinking id come away with a yamaha as that's what one of my favourite players plays, but it turned out to just not be the right thing for me, but the bach was perfect! I also got the chance to play a friend's 37 which is possibly 20 years older than mine, and has a dramatically different feel to playing and to the valves, but still with a remarkable sound! Whether this is to do with the age, the change in manufacture, or the fact mine is a reverse tuning slide with only 1 brace may be the case, so it's important to try before you buy! Also at the time I was a tad tentative about having a 3rd slide with no water key and that didnt extend as far on the fly (due to the dump slide taking up room, intonation cant be adjusted as far) but these tiny issues soon faded as i got used to the instrument and how it all works!

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Thanks for the comment, James! I love hearing others’ insight. The 37LR is a great horn! I reviewed a 43LR a while back that I liked quite a bit more than the stock 37 in this video. As a Yamaha YTR-8310Z loyalist, I get along much better with reverse leadpipes than conventional ones. Even disregarding that, one tuning slide brace (or none) versus the standard two braces on a Bach trumpet can make a huge difference! I don’t tend to play well on double-brace trumpets, which is a real shame considering how much I like the look of them. The length of the 3rd slide throw being shortened due to the dump slide is definitely an important consideration. That’s what I like about my Yamaha-the 3rd slide can easily be sprung out to a major third instead of a minor third for passages like the Carmen prelude!

[@crouse_2248]

I had the opposite effect. In 8th grade I tried out a bunch of different trumpets, and I fell in love with the Bach strad. I actually have 2 model 37 Bachs, and they do play different from one another mainly because they’re generations apart

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

That’s all you hear about, though-people falling in love with the Bach Strad. That’s why I think it’s of such paramount importance to dispel the “gold standard” myth. There are people like me who sound or play markedly worse on Strads than other professional horns, and it’s good for them to know they’re not alone in their experiences. I should add, this isn't to discredit your positive experiences. More so than anything I seek to validate each player's individuality in terms of their physiology and approach to playing. It seems like 60-80% of the trumpet world can do great things on a Strad. I turned out not to be one of them, and I seek to teach people like me about the alternatives they can take.

[@jaegertiger384]

You mean Besson ???

[@adamh951]

I got lucky with mine. Took a lesson with Roy Poper on the stamp method a few years ago and he said both my Bach horns (Bb and C) were good ones 😊

[@krazy-chicken2752]

I used to have a model 37. Best trumpet I ever played

[@Microblitz]

I have a 37 Bach and a several other trumpets. Of the Olds recoding, Bach 37, Getzen Sevinsen and a Martin Committee, I personally find the Getzen the easiest to play especially in the upper register. It's also very light weight which is good for log concerts especially as I have a shoulder injury. The 37 I have was made in 1992 and was a gift in the will of a good friend Joe Greatrex of the Southsider's band and I had fully restored. The Bach is good for classical stuff and you are right it does have a Teutonic sound and it doesn't like overblowing. The Committee is slippery, by that I mean it doesn't slot well in the upper register making it perfect for those jazz top end stuff and if you under blow it that creamy smooth tonality which its famed for. The Olds recording is allegedly the most film recorded trumpet of all time. Spending it's lifetime in the orchestras used for film scores during the 1940's through to the 1970's.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

@@Microblitz I think your characterizations of these horns are quite accurate. I would also likely find the Getzen the easiest to play but would not be drawn as much to its sound as the Committee. For me, Bachs are too often a combination of “hard to play” and “not a sound that I like to hear.” That’s a different story for their C trumpets, but I really don’t sound the way I want to on their Bb trumpets.

[@BrassThunder]

At 65 and a lifelong Trumpeter the main thing I can tell you is that you will vary rarely ever go wrong with a Bach Strad. I have a very early Bronx New York Strad from 1943 -1944 along with a 37, 43 and my original mid 70's Strad that started life as a 37 but I had converted to a 72 Sterling Plus with Reverse Lead and man oh man what a blow that horn is. It almost sucks they air out of you it flows so well. I've had others like a Conn Connstellation and some Yamahas. My Flugel is a Couesnon. But my point is this, just as the Mouthpiece is a special search the Trumpet search requires you to put your face to and play it with your mouthpiece to know if it is right for you. PLAY ON!

[@viktorartamonov1844]

Хороший комплект инструментов у вас!

[@earlyriser1861]

Back in April 2019 when I upgraded from my intermediate trumpet, I tried out 3 Bach 180S37s, and a Bach 190S37. Out of the 3 180S37s, one had more clarity to the sound, but they were all pretty consistent. I played that against the 190S37. Wow. The guy behind the counter and my mother both agreed that it was the best horn out of the bunch. I also played a Bach Commercial for kicks and giggles, and it was my least favorite, although it was very good. A little fun fact: Bach made a second generation of the 190S37 (as well as a new 190M37X, 190L65GV, 19072X, 19072V, and a 17043GYR) it has a "Mt. Vernon" weight bell, which I THINK is supposed to be lighter. I personally like my 190S37 better ;). I agree that the Bach 37 is the gold standard for a reason, however, do I think everyone should own one? No. It obviously isn't for everyone. But I think everyone should put it on their "to try" list. Great review!

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Thank you for the comment. I find it interesting that the 190 was better than all three 180 models. I don’t think I’ve ever played one (you lose track eventually, as a repair tech and serial “trier” of everyone else’s equipment…) but there was a point at which I really wanted a 50th anniversary model 37. I’m also a big advocate of lighter horns in general (the 8310Z being a quintessential example, with its minimal bracing and thin-walled tubing) and I’ve found that the Bachs I’ve played that have been more fun for me are usually on the lighter side, but I can also understand why you’d prefer the density of sound that a heavier bell comes with. I prefer to concentrate that mass around the mouthpiece end of things.

[@rafajarzynski5705]

I love my bach strad 37, I bought it with lacquer wears, my bach after a year in my hands was in service to customizations. Today this bach have a reversed leadpipe and additional heavy caps in brushed raw brass finish, I love this trumpet, it's very versatile, but in upper register it's restrictive, but i play on it in big bands, marching bands, jazz groups, classical repertoire and i am very happy, I would buy schagerl jm1 to lead playing, but my bach is fine for this stuff, keep practising! PS, can you make a lotus mouthpiece review?

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I’m glad to hear your 37 has served you well! Keep in mind that I usually cannot take requests for reviews, unless that brand is willing to send me a product, due to the cost of doing so. However, I do have a Lotus mouthpiece and I will hopefully get around to reviewing it soon.

[@rafajarzynski5705]

@@SamuelPlaysBrass I'm sorry, my English is not an advantage level, I might ask in other words, but I'm happy about your plans with reviewing that very good piece of brass :) (or bronze or nickel silver)

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

No worries! I appreciate your comments. Since you mention the material, my Lotus is a brass 1L. Someday I’d like to try one of the bronze, nickel, or even new “turbo-wood” models!

[@oldtimedrumcorps]

Great review, fair objective

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Thank you! I'm glad you thought so.

[@hankf616]

I played a 43 with a 72 bell on it, and just about everyone else I played with had a model 37. It was interesting how much different the default tone was of my horn vs theirs.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

@@hankf616 Indeed! The “Bach sound” is pretty much stored in the 37 bell, and the “Bach slotting” is encoded into the 25 pipe. I got to try a 195S43 myself and it was a great horn. If I’m thinking of the right model, that one’s quite rare, no? One of something like 1,200 made?

[@hankf616]

@@SamuelPlaysBrassI'm not sure what the production numbers were, but I do know that my 43/72 was the only one I ever encountered. I came across people with model 37's that had 72 bells, and a couple people with model 43's that had standard 37 bells, but never my particular combo.

[@soyomars]

I have a 37 but I've played my friends Xeno and wow...

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I agree! I’m a huge advocate of Yamaha Custom Z, Xeno, and even the pre-Xeno models like the older YTR-6335H.

[@jaegertiger384]

Don't care what ANYBODY says or thinks, because the Bach Strad is THE TRUMPET of all trumpets. Vincent Bach PERFECTED the trumpet over time with input from Vacchiano and others. In fact, Yamaha directly copied the Bach and would be NOTHING if Bach had not created such a good horn. In fact, all other horns get their lineage from Bach because he set the initial standard from which they have built upon... in order to create their models. Without a doubt... when I bought my Strad in '65... NO OTHER HORN in existence could come close to the Strad. In fact, ALL Orchestral players in the US played the Strad from the '50s onward... until Yamaha started to invade the Mrkt.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I respectfully disagree. I hope this video was effective in detailing some of the reasons as to why.

[@apeschell]

Ok boomer

[@Matraka2000]

I have a B&S challenger I it is supposed the copy of the Stradivarius, I have also a Yamaha 5335GII, for jazz that I play it is easier to play and more flexible. I am selling it now my B&S and I am planing to buy the Bobby she gen 3.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I too prefer most Yamahas over the Challenger. Hope you enjoy the Shew! I love mine, but I understand it’s not everybody’s preference.

[@MultiTrumpetman]

I also think that 5335 is betrer that chellenger.

[@trmpt98]

Interesting to hear about the push Back on the 37, I feel this alot with my horn and one of the main reasons I'm looking at Yamaha, just trying to decide between the 8310Z and the 8335LA.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

It's an unfortunate sensation, considering so many people have peachy experiences with the Strad 37. It can make you question your playing abilities - "it's a professional trumpet, so why do I sound so bad on it?" Anyhow, even the 8310Z and the 8335LA are very different horns, even though both are stellar. I hope you have the chance to try before buying, because that's a really tough call to make without doing so.

[@trmpt98]

I was lucky enough to try both. My friend had the 8335LA and I got to play it for a couple big band rehearsals. If definitely suits me and your video pushed me over the edge to finally make that purchase. Didn’t helped I noticed some red rot starting on the strad. My gentle used 8335LA will be delivered next week.

[@azazel-0671]

Never realized that my strad was the reason I’d a bit off with my schilke 20D2D and that it’d occasionally have a slight growl when I played. I’m about to have an olds super to play on so hopefully it’ll play a little better with my mouthpiece choice and get that occasional growl out.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I’m not sure switching horns would necessarily fix that, but I could see how it might. I wasn’t a fan of the Strad’s response to my deeper mouthpieces. The 20D2D sounds awesome but it definitely does require the right horn. Pretty sure it would go well with my medium-bore Yamaha YTR-8310Z.

[@mlhbrx96]

Love the videos! I have a non Bach question. I play a late 70s King Silver Flair 1055t. From what I've read/heard, the 2055t is considered a student vs the former as a professional model. Could you shed some light on what differences these two horns have?

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Thanks for your kind words. That is a very good question that unfortunately I am not in the position to know the answer to. Truth be told, I can’t even remember which Silver Flair was the one I tried (I suspect 2055T though). There are definite trends in King history where their newer models are generally less desirable than the equivalent older ones-an issue that came to a head when they were acquired by UMI and began producing some truly mediocre instruments. The 2055T is touted by Conn-Selmer as an intermediate instrument with professional qualities, but if you ask me that’s just top-tier marketing baloney. From a quick Google search-you might find this forum thread helpful: www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1672713 (Edit: if my experiences with King trumpets are anything to go by, keep that 1055T, don’t bother with the 2055T, and sleep easy at night knowing you’ve got a much cooler horn!)

[@mlhbrx96]

@SamuelPlaysBrass my thoughts exactly! I read the same post on Trumpet Herald. It gives me more questions than answers. Such as what I was asking you. Are there different (cheaper) materials used in the 2055t which creates much more resistance in playing? Is the valve block not as refined/precise the 1055t? This could be a good video to make....hint hint 😉

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

@@mlhbrx96 Usually, between cheaper and more expensive horns, the stock metal used is the same, but the treatment and tempering are different. My guess would be that the metal on the 2055 is a little harder and not annealed as much during the manufacturing process, resulting in a brighter, thinner tone. It would make for a good video, but I can’t really do that unless I have a good-condition example of both models simultaneously so I can experience the differences for myself. I review some pretty niche equipment on the channel, but I’m limited by what I have local access to.

[@Trollet532]

MORE! Trumpet gearheads unite!

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Stay tuned! We’ve always got lots more reviews coming up! :)

[@rayh1009]

I've heard several of your videos where your sound was rich and on the darker side, but did not really like the tone with you here on this Strad 37. Darker sound is my preference, but though I was aware of it when I chose a new trumpet to start up again after not playing for 30 years, I may have fallen into the trap of just assuming it should be a Bach. My old horn was a Bach and I had a nice tone with it, but I don't remember which model it was (may or may not have been mid-level). So now as I build up tone and endurance and learn how to play again, I wonder if I should have thought about the choice more carefully… My Strad now is an LR180S37G - Reverse leadpipe, and the 'G' bell means it should have a warmer tone, so maybe it'll turn out alright… That I keep hearing there are easier horns to play makes me wonder though.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Thanks for your comment. I think your LR Strad with G bell should balance darkness of tone and ease of playability very well. Those are my favorite types of Strads. I see you’ve noticed how much worse my tone is on a stock 37 than most other professional trumpets. It truly is frustrating, because it seems I’ll never blend well with some players.

[@rayh1009]

​@@SamuelPlaysBrass Forgot to mention my G bell Strad was *converted to reverse leadpipe by the previous owner. Keep up the good work, and thanks.

[@IndianOutlaw1870]

The 37 bell paired with the 25 leadpipe is too tight for my liking. It thins out above the staff. (At least, it does for me.) The 72 takes a bit more air, but the sound is huge, and the slots are larger, which improves my accuracy.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I definitely agree on the first part. Never tried a 72. Now, I apologize in advance for this, but unless you’re playing on a mouthpiece with a larger or smaller throat, no trumpet will physically take “more” or “less” air at a maximum. The horn can only accept what the mouthpiece throat can in terms of raw volume of air. I can imagine the horn feels less squared-off though, with less “turbulence” in the air column, if you will.

[@BrassThunder]

@@SamuelPlaysBrass I think that really depends on the player, if you truly have control of your air stream you can make any mouthpiece work. I play Schilke 6A4a for everything and can get down into pedal tones with it and play big and fat. There are some tonal differences going to the toilet bowl moutpiece to the sheet metal with a whole but really it's all in how the player handles it. A great player can make a Garden Hose with a funnel and mouthpiece sound incredible without having to work too hard at it.

[@jonarnold8982]

Have you played the new Shew version II? It has some interesting qualities. Two piece valve casing and the top caps are more like a Bach.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I haven’t. I doubt it would really be much different from my Gen 1 but the two-piece valve casings are an interesting addition.

[@jonarnold8982]

@@SamuelPlaysBrass I do think it plays and sounds different. I have owned all 3 Z horns over the years. To me, the new one has more core and color to the sound. Maybe even more versatile than previous models.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

@@jonarnold8982 Considering how versatile even the original 6310 and 8310 are, that says a lot! Now I am properly intrigued…

[@RaichuEnjoy]

What French horns do you have

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I only own one French horn. They’re very expensive lol. It’s a Conn 8D that I got for a good deal and it’s my favorite horn model of out of all the ones I’ve tried so far.

[@RaichuEnjoy]

@@SamuelPlaysBrass I can agree that their very expensive, I got a a used Holton 179 for 2500 and it’s almost like new.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

@@RaichuEnjoy the 179 is awesome and that is definitely a good deal if it’s like new. My preference is for the 181, but it’s hard to go wrong with any upper-level Holton!

[@RaichuEnjoy]

@@SamuelPlaysBrass what’s the different about the 181

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

@@RaichuEnjoy basically what it boils down to is this… 179: entirely nickel silver (which is 60% copper) 180: yellow brass bell and leadpipe (70% copper) 181: rose brass bell and leadpipe (85% copper) More copper causes the horn to lead towards a warmer sound, but it can also make the horn less responsive and a little harder to play. Most people prefer the nickel silver 179’s ease of response, but I find myself drawn to the darker sounding 181.

[@BillSmith-rx9rm]

There is no gold standard. It depends on the style of playing you are looking for. Classical, jazz? Dark tone, bright tone? Heavy trumpet, lightweight trumpet? Very open blow, tight restrictive blow? Most jazz players would never consider a Bach. They would go for Getzen, Benge, Kanstul, Burbank, or Schilke. Some may also go with a Yamaha, but I think from what I've seen about Yamaha, I've never played one, but I think they tried to imitate a Schilke. Therefore, why not just go ahead and get the real thing rather than a counterfeit? BTW, Yamaha also uses the same numbering system for mouthpieces as Schilke. However, Yamaha's mouthpieces are completely different in design than Schilke.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I agree with you all the way to the point about Yamaha. They are absolutely not copying Schilke any longer. My 8310Z is bar none my favorite trumpet and very unique.

[@charlietrumpet1266]

Is a model 180S25 large bore good for Salsa music?

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I’ve never tried that model, sorry.

[@robbicu]

Pretty much all the guys I knew that played trumpet in College played the Bach Strad.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Yep. Strads were basically the one and only for decades. I’m just glad now that we have options!

[@MultiTrumpetman]

Adams A 2 is amazing too.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I’ve never gotten to play an Adams instrument. It’s on the bucket list…

[@harmlangermans4150]

11/4 bach 22 throat 24 backbore think it should be 27 throat, no?

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Bach's "Symphonic" series mouthpieces have larger throats in a variety of sizes like 22, 24, and 26.

[@harmlangermans4150]

@@SamuelPlaysBrass thanks didn’ t know that there was something bigger than Schmidt bore 24. i play old Irving Busch WXA Custom whch is 24 for in symphony setting, pretty big alright😀

[@harmlangermans4150]

I still have the old Bach mouthpiece catalogue, stemming from the time that Vincent was still around and they listed Schmidt bore with some number. They conbined a certain backbore which each letter ABCDE but the throat size was akways 27. Since when does Bach make those new combis. Not in the old days?

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

@@harmlangermans4150 The Symphonic line are a recent addition to the catalog. Only the past few years or so. I really like the 24 throat/Schmidt backbore combination and I think that’s a pretty common combination in the Symphonic line, but I am partial to the extreme volume my 1.25C 22/24 produces. :)

[@leanne538]

The perfection match bach 37 with 3c to 3 e or equivalent mouthpiece . Yamaha 6310Z is more near the 37 like conn 36B

[@bernardomanara389]

Whic one could be a good choice with a 72 bell? 180 72?

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I’ve never tried a 72, sorry. The 180S72 would be the most standard 72-bell configuration, but I’m not familiar with what the other options are.

[@bensonstrumpet_tips]

Iv played on A bach strad 37. I found it to be very restrictive. The sound is very consistent overall but i find limits A players sound. Alot of back pressure.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

That was my impression. I suppose people like you and I are in the minority, though. There is also always the possibility that we haven't found the right Bach for our needs. You may do better with a New York or Mt. Vernon 37, a lightweight Corporation 37, a gold brass 37G, or a reverse leadpipe 37LR. Then there are also different bell tapers like the 43 or 72 which can help.

[@MaynardFreek]

Most of the problems with the Bach 37 can be solved with a proper valve alignment and having the horn blueprinted

[@seth094978]

Honestly I think the 37 is a big part of the reason that I had no interest in playing trumpet up until very recently. Something about it (and the multitude of similar horns) just sounds off to me. Almost like the the overtones in the sound are out of tune with the played note or something. The 25, 43, 72, and many models from Yamaha and Schilke sound quite good to me and have kindled an interest in picking up trumpet as a double, so whatever it is it is definitely the 37 in particular that I don't like.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

That’s an interesting take. I, too, don’t prefer the stock 25 pipe + 37 bell sound, but I’ve never heard it as something that clashes with itself as opposed to the other Bachs. If anything, I kick myself a little for not blending in a section of Bachs because my sound is pretty different.

[@bradleybunk6463]

I don’t play trumpet but I hear something about the Bach trumpet that I don’t like. It seems to be locked in without a dynamo character to the sound. It makes players sound like each other rather.

[@texasredneck9226]

Is it a Mt Vernon or Selmar Bach

[@MichaelTheophilus906]

My Olds trumpet sounds just like that.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I think the commonality is that my tone is liable to be very harsh on both Bach and Olds. Very unfortunate. I’d like to think I have a nice rich tone, but that goes straight out the window if I play almost anything besides my Yamaha 8310.

[@mikekaupa9190]

I need a Medium bore Strad!

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

Me too. My Shew is a medium bore at the valve section (although it has a step-bore leadpipe) and I seem to fare better on lighter, smaller-bore horns in general. A lightweight, 43 bell, reverse leadpipe, M bore Strad would probably be great!

[@SteveKnowsTrumpet-ue6eg]

There certainly was a long period of time in the last century when the Bach 37 was the "Gold Standard; for professional and advanced students.. In my opinion, however, for the last couple of decades I believe that the standards of playability set by the Bach 37 have been surpassed by any number of other horns from other manufacturers, like those from Yamaha. The great sound is largely still there from Bach, but the playability is severely lacking compared to a lot of other horns on the market today. You can certainly do a lot worse than stepping up to a Bach 37 from a student horn, but honestly, do your research and play a good number of other horns, if you can. In my opinion, going in to 2024 one can find an instrument that is much, much easier to play that sound fantastic! Do some serious exploration on mouthpieces, as well. Maybe think about getting away from those antiquated Bach C cups.

[@texasredneck9226]

No! Not even close!!

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

It’s a rhetorical question. I don’t believe so either, but many do.

[@mexiatexas1]

Every Bach Strad I've played was stiff.

[@SamuelPlaysBrass]

I hate to speak negatively about the horns I discuss publicly, but I agree. There have been Bachs I like a little more, like the 195S43, but all I’ve tried have felt stiff in one way or another compared to my Yamaha 8310Z. What’s your daily driver?

[@texasredneck9226]

Had to ask... The selmar Botch are an insult to V Bach

[@texasredneck9226]

I played a mid 50's Mt Vernon MLB .459 lightweight with rose brass that my Trumpet teacher sold me from '67 till '87 .. Bell was so thin you could press your finger and rub round bell and see it on the opposite side... Very dark tone Quite responsive

[@texasredneck9226]

The Bach Strad I purchased from my Trumpter did not have a Model # on bell

[@Kontrabass66]

Sorry but you do not have the chops and sound to judge about a Bach