Usually, student trumpets are cheap and poorly made.
Even the good ones don’t come close to a quality instrument.
But the Bach TR300H2 American Student Trumpet is the rare exception.
It is an incredibly high quality trumpet designed specifically for beginners.
That makes it very specific.
Most beginning trumpeters will not want to pay the high price for an instrument they will eventually want to replace, as their trumpeting skills become more advanced.
But some want to learn on the best, in order to give themselves the best possible start to their trumpeting career.
If that is you or your child, this is your trumpet.
Bach TR300H2 Review: Overview And Features
If you’ve been shopping around, then the odds are you’ve heard the brand name Bach. It is one of the top trumpet brands.
Not all horns are created equal. In most cases, you’ll run into poorly made entry-level horns that won’t last longer than a year with regular use.
These entry level horns are priced affordably, simply because they’re not designed to last. This makes it more affordable to replace them, which is often exactly what beginners want.
But not if you are looking for a horn that’s designed to withstand daily use.
This model by Bach is loaded with all the right features, but you’ll also notice the quality soldering, the seamless bell design, and other details that help to increase the horn’s playability and improve the sound quality.
There are many different high-quality trumpets designed for intermediate and advanced players, but the TR300H2 is one of the few quality models designed with the beginner in mind. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and all-around just more playable than a trumpet designed for advanced players.
It comes equipped with Monel piston valves, a durable double-wall hard case complete with cushions designed to protect the horn and prevent damage, and a 7C mouthpiece.
While the price is steep, the Bach TR300H2 is a worthy investment, considering it is designed to last and to allow you to grow with it as a player. To learn about different styles of trumpets, click here to read my buyer’s guide, where you’ll also get a sneak peek at some of the top models on the market.
Key Features
- Lightweight
- Beginner-friendly
- Quality design
- Well-balanced
- Free case
- Monel piston valves
Design
This is a Bb style trumpet, which is the most common type. It offers a warm tonal quality that easily blends in with a variety of genres.
It’s also the only style horn that’s commonly used across a variety of music types ranging from jazz to modern pop. It’s also the type that’s usually recommended for students since it has a lightweight body that makes it easier to hold it properly to ensure you’re using the correct technique.
The trumpet is made out of high-quality brass and meant to last a lifetime. It’s unique design specifications make it easier to develop your skills than a more advanced model would.
The .459″ bore makes it much easier to get the full sound you’re looking for. The first valve saddle helps you learn how to adjust the intonation.
Most manufacturers produce a number of models that are specifically designed for players who are new to horn use, but it is not so common from the top brands. We think it’s great that Bach has released a new student Bb that offers excellent playability and a lightweight design, while still retaining the high-quality craftsmanship for which they are famous.
Bore
The horn features a .459 sized bore with a seamless bell designed for protection and ultimate control.
Mouthpiece
This trumped comes with the standard 7C mouthpiece which is perfect for the beginner. If you want to upgrade, it is also compatible with other common mouthpieces such as the 3C and 5C. The mouthpiece is an easy and affordable upgrade, as it should be. Trumpeters all have a preference you’ll want to switch out the mouthpiece, if it is not your preferred type.
Case
The free double-walled case is heavily padded and designed to protect the instrument during transport or when stored. It comes with an adjustable shoulder strap for a more comfortable fit.
Sound Quality
This trumpet is the top choice for beginners. The design makes it easier for a beginning trumpeter to create a rich sound.
The TR300H2 plays surprisingly well for a model that’s designed for this skill level. In fact, it’s a great option if you’re looking for a durable instrument that offers excellent sound quality, and that you can continue to use as you progress as a player.
Valves
The Monel piston valves are precision-made and include a one-point nylon valve that’s designed for noiseless operation. The valves are very easy to oil and place back correctly in the casing.
This is a nice feature to have for beginners who sometimes find it difficult to place the valves back in the right direction. The guides guarantee that the valves are aligned correctly when you put the horn back together.
The valves are also braced. This prevents damage from dings or drops. The third valve has an adjustable ring and the first valve has a saddle.
Water Keys
The two water keys allow you to quickly release any trapped moisture in the slides. They are traditional water keys, which use a spring and lever design.
They feature a neoprene pad and if they’re well-maintained, they’ll work fast and efficiently. One benefit of having these water keys is the ability to attach a string on the end of the lever to pull out the keys faster.
The biggest downside to standard water keys is that the spring can get stuck or break. They can also be pretty messy if you use a lot of power to blow through them.
The placement of the keys is always important considering it can impact the acoustics of the instrument. Fortunately, these water keys are well-placed, and do not have a negative impact on the sound quality.
Use
Considering the price is quite steep for a beginner horn, it absolutely needs to deliver. And it does.
Bach made sure to build an instrument that is designed to last, and that is also playable for both beginners and intermediate players. This means you won’t have to upgrade as soon as you get a little better, like you do with most entry-level trumpets. This one grows with you.
Bach TR300H2 comes with several features that are perfect for beginners, including a much larger bore size than average. The .459″ bore size helps reduce air resistance when you’re playing, making it much easier to play lower notes as you focus on learning how to create a bigger sound.
The red brass lead pipe helps protect the pipe from impact damage and moisture. The material also promotes excellent sound quality, while keeping the horn’s lightweight design. The Monel alloy valves are resistant to impact damage and moisture.
The lighter bell improves the balance. This is important for the newbie who isn’t used to holding a horn in the correct position for a long period of time. If you fail to use the proper posture, your breathing, sound, and tuning suffer. And if you start out holding your instrument incorrectly, that bad habit will become ingrained.
Bach TR300H2: Advantages And Disadvantages
Pros
- Extremely high-quality design
- Adjustable third valve slide finger ring
- Pistons are made out of stainless steel
- Seamless bell design
- .459 bore
- Two well-positioned water keys
- Stainless steel pistons
Cons
- High price for a beginner’s instrument
- Although it can grow with you, you will eventually need to upgrade to a more advanced model
Bach TR300H2 Vs. Eastar ETR-380N Trumpet
The Eastar ETR 380N is another Bb trumpet and it’s one of Bach’s main competitors. It offers amazing timbre and excellent sound quality, with just the right amount of brightness.
It also has a bore size of 0.459, and a first valve slide thumb saddle, and a third valve slide, complete with an adjustable ring.
This competing model is also specifically made for the beginner, features a solid design and comes with a wide variety of accessories, including valve oil, a cleaning kit, a hard case, and a 7C mouthpiece.
Basically, it comes with everything that the beginner needs to get started playing right away. Even better, it is available at a much lower price.
Does that mean it is better than the Bach?
No, the Bach is the much better instrument. Plus, it works for both beginners and intermediate players, meaning you will not quickly outgrow it, like you will the Eastar trumpet.
But the Eastar is a better value.
For most beginners, it is the right choice, because most of us don’t have the money to buy an expensive instrument to start out with, only to replace it with an even more expensive one as soon as we outgrow it.
If you do have the money, then get the Bach. It is the best trumpet for beginners you can get.
Bach TR300H2 American Student Trumpet: Conclusion And Rating
The Bach TR300H2 American Student Trumpet may be designed for the beginner, but it comes with some excellent features that also make it appropriate for the intermediate player. But once you advance into the upper intermediate level, you’ll need to upgrade.
That is why we do not recommend this very expensive instrument for most people. We only recommend it, if money is not an issue.
If you can afford it, get it, because it is incredibly versatile and features a design that’s similar to a standard intermediate trumpet, yet is very beginner-friendly and offers excellent playability.
This horn by Bach is durable, well-designed and perfect for beginners. It’s also very versatile and can be used to play any type of music.
While it’s not a horn for advanced players, it can definitely accompany you into the intermediate stages. Moreover, it can be used by players of all ages. As stated, we do not recommend it for everyone due to the high price, but because it is easily the best beginning trumpet available, we give it a rare perfect Musicaroo rating of 4.9 out of 5.
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