Hitting All the Right Notes: Examining a Robust B♭ Trumpet Market

Likely the most widely used type of trumpet, B♭ pitched models of the instrument are key components of some of the most popular music being recorded and performed today. These transposing instruments can be prominently heard in jazz, concert band, pop, rock, marching band, and beyond. The flexibility to create sounds ranging from loud to soft and bright to dark make B♭ trumpets appealing to many players of all skill levels and styles.

MMR. Recently touched base with five major players in this segment of MI to learn about current trends, challenges, and expectation within the market.

For your brand what models of B♭ trumpets are currently hot sellers?

Michael Summers: Our best-selling student model trumpet is the JTR700A. For intermediate, it’s the JTR1100S, and for professional the XO1602S.

Andrew Lott: The 180 and 190 B♭ trumpets continue to surpass our expectations and sell out faster than we can build them. The improvements we’ve been making on those lines have been incredibly well received by consumers and dealers.

Warren Kus: The most popular B♭ trumpet model distributed by Buffet Crampon is the reliable B&S Challenger One – perhaps offering the best value in the market being a German crafted professional trumpet and made 100 percent in the traditional way. A newer member of the B&S family that has seen increased demand since its launch is the MBX Heritage – an extremely versatile instrument for the best of players.

David Benedetto: Our Olds student model, NTR110PC continues to sell extremely well. It is a solidly built, good playing trumpet that dealers use for their rental and lease fleets. On the professional side, the Phaeton PHTF-2030 and PHT-2060 models lead the way. Players love the sound from both models and their unique finishes separate them from the rest of the market.

Jonathan Goldman: The Yamaha global R&D team has worked hard to create many best-sellers over the years. The flagship Xeno trumpet lineup appeals to players across genres. The Xeno family also includes the Chicago and New York Artist Models, the trumpet of choice in the country’s top orchestras.

Is this market segment being particularly impacted by supply-chain issues of late?

AL: As a U.S. manufacturer, we’re uniquely positioned to have less impact than other international manufacturers, but we have had to overcome similar material shortages just like everyone else.

JG: Yamaha instruments are moving through the supply chain and shipping to dealers regularly. The current challenge is producing the outstanding level of demand we are seeing in the American market. Year-over-year growth has been beyond expectations.

DB: The entire trumpet market along with all wind instruments have been affected by supply chain issues. Delays continue to stem from overseas manufacturing stoppages, transportation delays, and labor shortages.

WK: Buffet Crampon has been fortunate to have maintained a steady and flexible production plan to combat any supply chain issues facing the industry on student and professional B♭ trumpets. Availability of B♭ trumpets made in our facilities in China have been quite steady, especially for a new development that has been met with a growing demand over the past few years. The increased demand despite the everchanging export challenges from China is all thanks to the support of our dealers. What we’ve seen is that transparency between intercompany communication and our global dealer network regarding deliveries has helped build even stronger relationships.

MS: Yes, our entire winds division continues to be impacted by supply-chain issues, including trumpets.

What display and promotion strategies have you observed successful retailers embracing when it comes to these types of instruments?

JG: Yamaha has created a growing library of cooperative marketing assets for dealers to use in marketing Yamaha products. Dealers who use these assets with a well-merchandised product display (in-store or online) can effectively drive customers toward a purchase. However, a Yamaha trumpet truly is its own best salesperson. Once in the hands of the customer, Yamaha trumpets help sell themselves because of their quality of sound and construction.

WK: For professional instruments, nothing can replace an in-person tryout session with musicians, educators, and students. For our student trumpets from Besson and B&S, our dealers understand the needs of their community best so similarly, we offer product trials and demonstrations with repair technicians, educational representatives, band directors, and teachers.

MS: In our experience, retailers don’t often display student models because they are used primarily in rental pools. Promotional strategies for step-up and professional instruments include manufacturer rebates and add-ons such as stands, mouthpieces, and mutes.

DB: The most effective selling method for our retailers is when the can put our trumpets in the customer’s hand. Then the trumpets sell themselves. Dealers that provide easy opportunities to try the horns along with financing options have been very successful.

AL: We’ve seen such great demand for our B♭ trumpet portfolio that promotional activity has been about getting up on the wall and out to consumers.

Have you noticed any particular trends in terms of buying habits and end-user preferences when it comes to B♭trumpets?

DB: Consumers continue to look for a good value on any purchase. After a sale, a consumer is confident they made a smart decision selecting Olds and Phaeton, which offer solid products, competitive pricing, and top shelf support

AL: As the only manufacturer using anti-microbial lacquer on all our brass instruments, we’ve answered consumer demands for safer instruments. We’ve also seen the request for lead-free mouthpieces arise, and we are now offering the entire line of trumpet and trombone mouthpieces in lead-free brass.

JG: One trend of note in the step-up market is that players are looking for a B♭ with a more flexible sound and trumpets that can blend and stand out in the broader range of musical styles. This allows players to explore new and unique sound concepts. Yamaha wants to be a partner in that journey of exploration.

MS: Consumers purchasing student trumpets often look at warranties, availability of parts, and educator recommendations. Our ten-year “Good through Graduation” warranty is very attractive, and we have all parts available for immediate shipment from our Tennessee warehouse. An increasing number of educators approve and recommend our brands every year.

WK: It is sometimes difficult to track trends since choosing a professional instrument is such an extremely personal experience. That said, we have found that many trumpet players prefer to prioritize playability, efficiency, and sound over other attributes.

Does your brand have any recent or upcoming B♭ trumpet model introductions you’d like to draw MMR readers’ attention to?

MS: We launched a trumpet flugelhorn combo pack in Q4 of this year that includes our most popular intermediate trumpet in lacquer, paired with our most popular flugelhorn, and includes a backpack case. The model is the JTR1110R+JFH1100R and is being well received by our dealers.

WK: As we strive to meet the demands of newer generations, we work closely with the best musicians around the world to continually improve our current range of trumpets. We have recently released our new Prodige Series of student trumpets with the goal of providing a professional experience at an affordable price. This past Winter at the Maurice Andre Competition in Paris, France, we also launched a reinvented range of Antoine Courtois Confluence Series B♭ (and C) trumpets with the help of renowned artist Clement Saunier, Ensemble Intercontemporain and professor at the National Conservatory of Music and Dance in Lyon, France.

JG: The second generation Custom Z and LA trumpets, developed with iconic trumpet artists Bobby Shew and Wayne Bergeron, were introduced recently and continue to be an outstanding choice for musicians searching for an authentic, live or efficient-playing instrument. Both instruments are quite versatile and fun to play. Also of note for any doublers is the recent second generation Custom flugelhorns that began shipping this past fall, which was also developed in partnership with Shew and Bergeron.

AL: 2023 will be huge for Bach as we launch new products and improvements to our entire line of professional trumpets. The Bach 180S37 is already the world’s most-sold trumpet and we’re excited for new improvements that are in production today. We’ll also be reintroducing an improved line of 190 trumpets and an all-new 170 Apollo, an entry-pro trumpet that balances professional 180-style sound with approachable ease of playability. The apollo-model reversed leadpipe and two-piece bell create a forgiving and responsive playing experience and a centered and rich timbre. The new 170 Apollo calls back to the Bach Apollo professional trumpets of the ’20s and ’30s, which were the only Bach models to historically feature two-piece bell construction.

DB: We are always looking at expanding the product offerings. The plan is to introduce some new models in the next 6 to 12 months.

What are your projections for sales of B♭ trumpets in the coming months?

WK: Heading into 2023 with many students looking to either pick up their trumpet for the first time or make an equipment change for the better, we are optimistic in being able to deliver many great products from Buffet Crampon that meet the trumpet community’s many needs. B♭ trumpets are available from B&S, Besson, Antoine Courtois, or Johannes Scherzer through your local Authorized Buffet Crampon dealers.

DB: I see strong sales for 2023. Student trumpets are needed for rental programs and school purchases remain strong as they replenish worn out inventory as well as purchase additional inventory due to health and safety concerns.

JG: We anticipate every level of the trumpet market to continue seeing strong demand over the following months and beyond. Demand for student instruments is strong, and Yamaha is working hard to be a stable partner for all our dealers. The value offered by step-up Yamaha trumpets is the foundation for year-over-year sales growth. There is an option in the catalog for every type of player.

AL: We continue to see double-digit growth and demand for our trumpets, and we can’t wait to see how the market reacts to the introduction of our new line of pro horns in 2023.

MS: Largely due to increased educator acceptance, we expect to have continued success in moving large quantities of student and intermediate trumpets, and we will continue to gain traction in the professional trumpet market.