The pocket trumpet solves a problem and the Jupiter JTR710 solves that problem better than any other, except one.
Regular sized trumpets are great, but they are also large and heavy. Relatively speaking, anyway. Compared to a tuba, they are obviously tiny.
There are times when a regular-sized trumpet is simply too cumbersome. What you really need is a smaller, lighter version that plays exactly the same as a full-sized version.
In other words: a pocket trumpet.
The problem is that most of them are simply not very good and pay and sound nothing like a standard trumpet. They could never perform in a professional capacity and many aren’t even good enough for practicing.
They are basically overpriced toys.
But the Jupiter is different. It can be used professionally and is the perfect choice for any pro who is looking for a lightweight instrument to accompany them on the road. In fact there is only one compact trumpet that beats it.
Jupiter JTR710 Pocket Trumpet Review
The Jupiter JTR710 was previously knows as the Jupiter 516 pocket trumpet. It is an updated and improved version of the 416 series.
The 710 series features the .460-inch bore and compact design you expect from a pocket trumpet, but combines it with a 4.8-inch bell full-sized bell.
Considering the high price (for a pocket trumpet), you would expect sound quality and playability on par with a high quality standard trumpet. And that’s exactly what you get.
The bell, leadpipe and tuning slide are all made from gold lacquered brass. The pistons are made from stainless steel.
Everything is constructed with expert craftsmanship for the most playable pocket trumpet available. It is highly accurate and the pistons give you a smooth, fast action that allows for extremely agile playing.
The JTR710 features a standard size bell and redesigned third loop. These allow you to produce a sound that matches the power and beauty of a high quality standard-sized Bb trumpet, while weighing far less and obviously taking up far less space as well.
In addition to the beautiful instrument, you also get a mouthpiece and a form-fitted case with a wooden frame. It has a gorgeous classic look and offers great protection for your new instrument.
Jupiter Pocket Trumpet Pros
If you’ve ever played other mini trumpets, you’ll likely be quite surprised the first time you play this one. Most small trumpets do not produce anywhere near the sound of a regular sized instrument, but this one does.
Not only does it sound like a standard Bb trumpet, but it also plays like one, despite its small size. It won’t quite match the top trumpets, but it does match most mid-range standard models.
Part of that is due to the full-sized bell. The rest is the precise construction and quality materials. This instrument deserves its reputation as the best pocket-sized trumpet you can buy. It also has a 1st valve thumb saddle, which makes it much easier to adjust the intonation while playing.
The 710 trumpet ships with a mouthpiece and a beautiful classic case. It is available in the gold lacquered finish pictured above, and also with a silver finish.
Cons
The biggest disadvantage of this trumpet is very obvious. It is the high price. It costs far more than most other pocket trumpets and the low price is one of the primary reasons people buy these smaller instruments. They want a practice trumpet but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for it.
So why would you pay so much more for this one? If you just need a practice instrument, you might not want to. But if you plan on using it for performances as well, you’ll gladly pay the higher price for an instrument that sounds just like a standard-sized version.
Apart from the cost, there are really no drawbacks to the Jupiter JTR710. There better not be, given the high price. When you compare it with the Carol Brass CPT-3000, the Jupiter does come in slightly behind, but only because the Carol Brass instrument is pretty much perfect. For example, while the Jupiter has great valves, the ones in the Carol Brass are even smoother.
Jupiter JTR710 Review: Conclusion and Rating
The Jupiter JTR710 Bb Pocket Trumpet is likely too expensive for most beginning or casual players.
Only a professional who needs a good trumpet to take on the road with them will be happy to pay this much for a pocket trumpet. Or perhaps a player who only plays these smaller versions and does not ever plan on getting a regular sized one.
For most people, a lower priced model is probably sufficient. You want to make sure you get a good one and not one of the many poorly made and poor sounding models. The Allora MXPT 5801 is a great choice. It still delivers good sound, but costs far less than this one.
The Jupiter JTR710 is the ultimate pocket trumpet, but there is one model that is even better: the CPT-3000 from Carol Brass. That’s why the Jupiter only gets the second highest Musicaroo rating of all the pocket trumpets we reviewed: a 4.5 out of 5.
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