Bach Stradivarius Bb Trumpet

The Most popular of all Bach trumpets, the 180 series, for good all-around playing. Features standard weight body and bell, and standard construction #25 mouthpipe (except for extra-large and Vindabona bores). It also comes with a Bach 7c Mouthpiece. Available in five bore sizes (M, ML, L, XL, MLV.)

Bells
This is achieved by the use of one-piece construction, allowing for unrestricted vibration of the bell. The shape of the tapered surface, or rate of bell flare, determines the characteristic sound of the instrument. Bells with fast tapers produce dark, warm sounds, while slow tapers yield bright tones. Bach offers many bell options. The number designation on a Bach bell refers to the mandrel (tooling used to shape the flare) number, not to any diameter or measurement (for example, all B-flat trumpet bells have the same diameter).

The type and thickness of the bell material also affect the sound. Gold brass, softer and more red than a standard yellow brass due to a higher copper content (85 as opposed to 70), results in a warm tone. Sterling Plus bells (99.9 pure silver, seamless construction) create a full complement of partials (overtones) in the tonal spectrum, for a focused sound with great projection. Lightweight bells respond quickly for a lively sound. For situations involving high dynamic levels without distortion or dark qualitities, choose a heavy-weight bell (in either yellow or gold brass).

Mouthpipes and Crooks
The venturi(constriction) and rate of taper in the mouthpipe affect the trumpet's characteristic sound. Like the bell, mouthpipes with fast tapers result in warm tones, while slow tapers produce bright sounds. Bach offers several mouthpipe options. Musicians desiring a more open, less resistant instrument should consider the reversed construction. By eliminating a step where the pipe connects to the main tuning slide, the air moves more freely. Reversed construction results in a longer pipe maintaining constant taper for improved intonation. The rounded main tuning slide crook option, in eliminating tight bends, moves the air more freely for an open feel.

Bores
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the bore size determines an instrument's tone quality. While the bore does play a role, primarily the rate of taper in the mouthpipe and bell section influence whether the sound is dark or bright. A trumpet bore is measured at the inside diameter of the second valve slide. Bach Stradivarius trumpets are offered in a number of bore sizes. While large bore instruments may have greater volume of sound and carrying power, they require more effort to play. Most musicians will prefer a medium-large bore Bach. The Vindabona dual bore features a medium-large valve section and a small inner diameter on the top of the main tuning slide with the transition actually occuring in the main tuning slide crook, creating the effect of a more conical bore instrument with a dark, warm sound.