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This is a real musical instrument. I make these for use in Renaissance Festivals. They are played at the jousts, knighting and crowning ceremonies. These instruments are 51 - 54 inches long depending on the flare of the bell that is used. They use trumpet mouthpieces (the mouthpiece is not included). For purposes of strength the instrument is double walled. This outside wall not only makes it sturdy (I have used mine in combat as a staff) but it also smoothes out the line as it goes from the mouthpiece to the bell. The inner tubing is all copper and is what makes the trumpet play. The outside tubing is for appearance only.
Horns made using used bell sections from other instruments. (ALL have small dents and a patina. Great for that Real Ren Faire flavor.) They are all raw copper and raw brass. NO finish.) These take me 2 full days to tune properly so the arpeggios sound right. Price for horn (in natural finish, NO lacquer) is 300. Shipping is 40 US ONLY & can NOT be shipped overseas. Check to see if one is available before ordering.
This valve-less Bb Trumpet will play any and all bugle calls. The sound is very good due to the double wall construction.
In this picture you see 2 Bb Trumpets to show the scale. Next there are 2 Fanfare Trumpets. Finally a wall hanger toy (that I bought on ebay). This shows the difference between a real playing instrument and a new years noise maker.
I got this letter from a man who bought one of these horns.
Dear Pops . . .
I received the fanfare trumpet the other day and couldn't be happier. 
It plays even better than I had hoped, even with me at the other end and
an ancient Olds 3 mouthpiece. I couldn't believe the "true"
trumpet sound as opposed to the "flat", dull sound I am used to hearing
from horns such as these. I once played in an All State Concert Band
(centuries ago) under the direction of Leonard B.Smith, and he did a
solo with a coach horn called "Coach Horn Gallop." That's the only other
time I heard a coach horn with a true tone.
Sincerely
Ed
Making a Straight trumpet
You can make your own for about $ 100.
Take the bell off of an old ruined trumpet (some store may donate one or buy an old horn on ebay for $ 30.)
You can use the leadpipe from the old trumpet. Connect to a few inches of 3/8 ID inch pipe. (I make my leadpipes from 3/8 inch pipe and taper it for the mouthpiece.)
To this add a 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch expander/reducer fitting.
The main section will be 1/2 inch pipe.
The length here will vary due to how long the bell section you have is (after removing from the old horn.).
The overall horn length should be 54 inches total.
Connect the bell to a few inches of 3/4 inch pipe or a 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch reducer.
The fittings placed after the leadpipe (after 11 inches) and before the bell (in front of (10-11 inches) fall in a dead place. Far enough away from tapers so that they do not effect the sound of the horn.
Get a section od 3/4 inch pipe to cover the works (from leadpipe end to bell) if you want a smoother look. I wrap leather laces over the spot where the pipe connects to the bell.
Epoxy will work fine for connecting the fittings. (The one I play and fight with at Ren Faires is only taped and has survived 5 years. I use it as a weapon against swords and staffs.)
If you use copper tubing and a good bell it will sound like an expensive trumpet.
I've made them in Bass Bb, Bass D, Bass Eb, Bass F, Bb, B, C, F and piccolo Bb.
To be period instruments they would be pressure fitted and sealed in wax NOT soldered.
If you plan to have several played in a group together they NEED tuning bits like a Flugelhorn or piccolo trumpet uses. They should be tuned slightly sharp and have a lot of play in the tuning bits.
Trumpet bells work well for Bb, B, C. But a smaller bell like a cornet bell is needed for the Eb. And a really small bell for the piccolo.
I've made scores of them for race tracks and Ren Faires. It is VERY easy to make one that sounds fine but a little tricky to make it play all the harmonics in tune. (Sorry I can't be much more specific but I still have to take them apart and lengthen the 1/2 section or the leadpipe after making one; to get it in tune. I've spent literally days tuning them before.)
The Bass Bugle
I make these for use at Renaissance Fairs. They are played at parades, jousts and weddings. These are long enough to be more chromatic in the upper register. So besides normal bugle calls some real music can be played in the upper register. I've played real wedding music on these (Prince of Denmark). Horns are made using used bell sections from other instruments. (These are usually old and have some small dents. Perfect for that REAL Ren Faire look.) There are 2 models one using a Trombone mouthpiece and one using a trumpet mouthpiece. Mouthpiece not included. The trumpet model has extra internal tubing to made the bore size compatible with the mouthpiece.
They are UNfinished or sometimes very old lacquer. Price is 300 and 40 shipping in the US ONLY & can NOT be shipped overseas.
The Mini Bugle
I made some for my kids. Then I sent some to friends of mine. These are now being played during solos at Jazz gigs. They are mouthpiece mega-phones. They do NOT sound like real trumpets since they are only a few inches long. They are however quite loud and they are chromatic and can also do 1/4 tones (if you can buzz them.) The Mini Bugles cost way more than you would think. I have to ruin a mpc to make them work.
These come with an attached mouthpiece that has been altered to make the bugle play.
When I used Condor Horns (80 year old model T horns) the horn itself could cost 100 dollars on ebay.
I started using clown horns because they are cheaper.
Cost still averages 60 dollars. So If I charge for the 2 - 3 hours to make them.
Well you get my point.
It is just a toy and I feel bad charging 80 dollars for them (even though everyone likes them.)
I get emails every week for these.
Price is 80 and 10 shipping in the US 20 overseas.
Please include your name, address and what you are ordering.
To:
Jan McLaughlin
2324 Norwich Ln
Grand Prairie,Texas 75052
Texas residents add 8.25% sales tax.
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Clint 'Pops' McLaughlin
Copyright protected from 1995 to date.
This site Trumpet College is about; Trumpet lessons and trumpet books by Clint 'Pops' McLaughlin - All major embouchures taught. Learn how to play effortlessly based on your facial structure. Thousands of students helped from serious amateur to pro level. Check out our trumpet lessons, our online trumpet lessons and our trumpet books. Trumpet playing, trumpet lessons. This site covers these topics: trumpet playing, trumpet lessons, Stevens, Superchops, Maynard Ferguson, mouthpieces, Bach, Callet, Schilke, Doc Severinsen, Yamaha, Maggio, embouchure, trumpeter, trompette, trompeta, trumpeting, marsalis, louis armstrong. Thanks for visiting.
Pops