Could I get a trumpet with black lacquer?

Question

I've seen a new yamaha with black lacquer and I was wondering if i could get a trumpet with the same lacquer just not have to pay so much for that specific model. I am still a student trumpet but, I'm now sure that I want to make the step up to buying a better trumpet and selling my beginning student trumpet. I really don't want to spend 2000 on a professional trumpet for the fact that my career as a trumpet player could go any way. Has anyone had experience with different colored lacquers if so leave in answer.

Answer 1

Don't listen to petr b! A shiny black lacquered trumpet would make a fabulous flower vase! You probably could get at least $20 for it on Ebay!

Answer 2

There are black lacquer trumpets available, but most of the ones you find are very cheaply built horns on eBay. Do yourself a favor and stay away from them. They have the reputation for actually hindering your progress because of their poor quality. Amati is not the best brand in the world but does have a red lacquer trumpet (I know you don't want red). I believe you can order a custom lacquer from CarolBrass, even on their student horns--the starting cost is about $350, don't know how much more, if any, the custom lacquer would be. You could also look for a used horn with bad lacquer (the more tarnish the lower the price) only very minor dents and full function. $100 for the horn, $100 for cleaning and dent removal, another $200-300 for the lacquer and you're probably in for under $500. Try for an Olds Ambassador or early Yamaha if you're going to do this. Also, get everything arranged with your local repair shop before you do this.

You can also lacquer the horn yourself, you just have to be very careful to not get any lacquer inside the horn (except the visible portion of the bell).

Answer 3

Lacquer is lacquer, and without any special bother, the lacquer could be tinted opaque black, the cost of the job should be no more than a regular re-finishing.



BUT.... colored instruments are most usually liked only by the younger student players, middle and high school. They think it is cool. Ergo, "kid's taste."



Whether you plan to trade it to an instrument dealer as credit toward an upgrade purchase, or going to sell it outright, It is far wiser to leave it with its traditional finish.



If it is in desperate need of re-lacquering, and you trade it to a dealer, that will be done at their wholesale cost, and you would have spent full retail to have it done, not really increasing the desirability or value of the trumpet.



The most practical thing to do, trade or sell, is to leave it as is.





Best regards.

Answer 4

I'll bet you could get it powder coated in any color you like.