

Heading out of town on vacation and can’t lug around your normal Bb trumpet? Or just want to add a little flair to your performance? A pocket trumpet can be a great complement to your instrument collection.
A pocket trumpet is a normal Bb trumpet, folded down into a more portable size. If you were to stretch out a normal trumpet and a pocket trumpet, they would be about the same length. To achieve this, the tubing is more tightly wound. This gives the instrument greater portability, novelty, and they also usually cost less than a normal trumpet. The downside to the tightly wound tubing, however, is difficulty with tuning and an overall decrease in sound quality. (on all but the most pricey models)
With that in mind, a pocket trumpet is a fun instrument to have for practice, and nice to throw in a backpack on vacation, but shouldn’t really be seen as an alternative to a normal trumpet for professional use.
If you are looking for a pocket trumpet to add to your collection, there’s a couple things worth noting. First, if you check around on eBay, you will likely see a good number of extremely cheap pocket trumpets in the $100 dollar range with brand names like Anaxa and Raison, that say “European designed!” or “good quality brass and materials and well finished!” Forget these, they are crap. Mass produced in Indian sweatshops, most are made from pot metal and have junky valves. A couple other names to watch out for: Cecilio, Monique, Crystalcello, Laurel… Pure garbage. Believe me, unless you have never played - or even heard - a trumpet you will be sorely disappointed.
OK SOOOOO….. You want to get your hands on one of these babies but you don’t want a stupid toy. At the high end, we have the Benge Colibri, with a one piece hand-hammered bell. This American made pocket trumpet is the real deal. If you want a pocket trumpet that plays and sounds almost indistinguishable from a pro horn, it’s going to set you back $1500. Needless to say, probably out of the price range of the average player.
The best, reasonably priced instruments, I believe, are made by Amati and Jupiter.

Jupiter 416BL Pocket Trumpet
The Jupiter 416B is not a “Pro” horn, like the Benge, but is manufactured very nicely overall. The horn has a couple quirky notes that have minor intonation problems, but you’ve probably played “Pro” horns that do too. It has a very nice finish and many others agree this is the best model in its price range (~$600). Manufactured in Taiwan, but if you aren’t familiar with Jupiter instruments, don’t let this fool you. They have an excellent reputation for making great horns.

Amati ATR 314 Bb Pocket Trumpet Black
Amati offers The ATR 314I, which is made in the Czech Republic. Comparable quality to the Jupiter, the Amati has a bit mellower sound, and offers the option of a colored finish.
Please send me comments if you have other models you think are worth noting! I would also be interested if you have videos or sound clips to share.
Happy tooting.
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