Best C Trumpets for Intermediate 2026
Perfect c trumpets for intermediate - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
PRICE RANGES:
Under $5,000
GENRES & STYLES:
For Classical
For Orchestra
For Chamber Music
For Solo
For Concert Band
For Baroque
BRANDS:
Yamaha
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Schagerl "1961" C-Trumpet S
by
Schagerl
Orchestra
Concert Band
Classical
Key Feature:
• Great for classical repertoire
✓ PROS
- • Professional orchestra requirement
- • Easier reading in concert pitch
✗ CONS
- • More limited repertoire than Bb
- • Higher price than Bb trumpets
Schagerl "1961" C-Trumpet SC TrumpetBore: Large 11.81 mmBrass bellBell diameter: 123 mmWall thickness: 0.50...
⭐
4.9/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 550163
$4,718
#2
⭐
5.0/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Bach AC190S Artisan C-Trumpet
by
Bach
Concert Band
Solo
Baroque
Key Feature:
• Orchestral standard instrument
✓ PROS
- • Professional orchestra requirement
- • Easier reading in concert pitch
✗ CONS
- • Different mouthpiece may be needed
- • Less common for jazz and popular music
Bach AC190S Artisan C-TrumpetC-TrumpetArtisan SeriesØ 11.74 mm L Bore (.462”)One-piecehand hammered Ø 122.24 mm (4-...
⭐
5.0/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 253282
$5,609
#3
⭐
5.0/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Schagerl Caracas L C-Trumpet L
by
Schagerl
Classical
Chamber Music
Concert Band
Key Feature:
• Orchestral standard instrument
✓ PROS
- • Brighter sound than Bb trumpet
- • Professional orchestra requirement
✗ CONS
- • Less common for jazz and popular music
- • Requires adjustment from Bb trumpet
Schagerl Caracas L C-Trumpet LC TrumpetIntercontinental Series127 mm gold brass bellML- valve sectionBore: 11.82...
⭐
5.0/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 495852
$1,748
#4
⭐
4.4/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
B&S 3136TC-GL Challenger II
by
B&S
Chamber Music
Classical
Concert Band
Key Feature:
• Brighter sound than Bb trumpet
✓ PROS
- • Easier reading in concert pitch
- • Orchestral standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • More limited repertoire than Bb
- • Requires adjustment from Bb trumpet
B&S 3136TC-GL Challenger IIChallenger C-TrumpetThierry Caens bellBrass body11.73 mm Bore (CL)One-piecelight hand...
⭐
4.4/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 228243
$2,968
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Thomann TR-600 S C Trumpet
by
Thomann
Chamber Music
Concert Band
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestra requirement
✓ PROS
- • Brighter sound than Bb trumpet
- • Orchestral standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Different mouthpiece may be needed
- • Higher price than Bb trumpets
Thomann TR-600 S C TrumpetC TrumpetMonel valvesBore diameter: 11.60 mmGold brass bell: Ø 122 mmLead pipe made of gold...
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 242386
$328
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
B&S Metropolitan C- Trumpet
by
B&S
Classical
Orchestra
Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Orchestral standard instrument
✓ PROS
- • Easier reading in concert pitch
- • Orchestral standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Less common for jazz and popular music
- • Requires adjustment from Bb trumpet
B&S Metropolitan C- TrumpetC-TrumpetBore: 11.73 mmHand-hammeredone-piece cup - new design: 121.5...
⭐
4.5/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 509572
$5,168
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha YTR-9445 CHS 05 Trumpet
by
Yamaha
Chamber Music
Baroque
Solo
Key Feature:
• Brighter sound than Bb trumpet
✓ PROS
- • Great for classical repertoire
- • Professional orchestra requirement
✗ CONS
- • Less common for jazz and popular music
- • More limited repertoire than Bb
Yamaha YTR-9445 CHS 05C TrumpetArtist SeriesChicago modelBrass bead with "French Bead" edge Ø: 123 mmL- bore...
⭐
4.9/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 389644
$5,158
#8
⭐
4.4/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha YTR-8445 04 Trumpet
by
Yamaha
Orchestra
Classical
Chamber Music
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestra requirement
✓ PROS
- • Professional orchestra requirement
- • Easier reading in concert pitch
✗ CONS
- • Higher price than Bb trumpets
- • Different mouthpiece may be needed
Yamaha YTR-8445 04C-TrumpetXeno SeriesHeavyweight constructionL Bore Ø: 11.73 mm (0.462")One-piece brass bell Ø...
⭐
4.4/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 362425
$3,244
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha YTR-9445NYS-YM-BR Trumpet
by
Yamaha
Classical
Orchestra
Baroque
Key Feature:
• Easier reading in concert pitch
✓ PROS
- • Brighter sound than Bb trumpet
- • Easier reading in concert pitch
✗ CONS
- • Higher price than Bb trumpets
- • Less common for jazz and popular music
Yamaha YTR-9445NYS-YM-BR TrumpetC TrumpetXeno SeriesNew York modelL-boreOne-piece brass cupFrenchbead rimBell diameter:...
⭐
4.6/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610187
$5,466
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha YTR-8445 G 04 Trumpet
by
Yamaha
Chamber Music
Classical
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Great for classical repertoire
✓ PROS
- • Professional orchestra requirement
- • Great for classical repertoire
✗ CONS
- • Higher price than Bb trumpets
- • Requires adjustment from Bb trumpet
Yamaha YTR-8445 G 04C-TrumpetXeno SeriesHeavyweight constructionL-Bore Ø: 11.73 mm (0.462")One-piece gold brass...
⭐
4.7/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 362429
$3,244
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha YTR-9445CHS-BR Trumpet
by
Yamaha
Classical
Chamber Music
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Easier reading in concert pitch
✓ PROS
- • Orchestral standard instrument
- • Professional orchestra requirement
✗ CONS
- • Less common for jazz and popular music
- • More limited repertoire than Bb
Yamaha YTR-9445CHS-BR TrumpetC TrumpetXeno SeriesChicago modelL-boreOne-piece brass cupFrenchbead rimBell diameter: 123...
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610192
$5,466
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Schilke S22 C C-Trumpet
by
Schilke
Concert Band
Chamber Music
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Orchestral standard instrument
✓ PROS
- • Professional orchestra requirement
- • Easier reading in concert pitch
✗ CONS
- • Higher price than Bb trumpets
- • Less common for jazz and popular music
Schilke S22 C C-TrumpetC-TrumpetØ 11.75 mm Large boreØ 127 mm ML Brass bellBrass bodySupport on the tuning...
⭐
4.8/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 187406
$3,948
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
B&S 3136TC-S Challenger II
by
B&S
Solo
Baroque
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Great for classical repertoire
✓ PROS
- • Brighter sound than Bb trumpet
- • Orchestral standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Less common for jazz and popular music
- • Requires adjustment from Bb trumpet
B&S 3136TC-S Challenger IIChallenger C TrumpetThierry Caens soundBrass body11.73 mm bore...
⭐
4.6/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 228244
$3,188
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Kühnl & Hoyer Classicum C-Trumpet
Orchestra
Chamber Music
Solo
Key Feature:
• Brighter sound than Bb trumpet
✓ PROS
- • Great for classical repertoire
- • Brighter sound than Bb trumpet
✗ CONS
- • Higher price than Bb trumpets
- • Less common for jazz and popular music
Kühnl & Hoyer Classicum C-Trumpet"Classicum" C-TrumpetML BoreBrass bellBrass tuning slides and brass...
⭐
4.7/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 192027
$4,223
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha YTR-4435 SII Trumpet
by
Yamaha
Orchestra
Chamber Music
Concert Band
Key Feature:
• Orchestral standard instrument
✓ PROS
- • Professional orchestra requirement
- • Easier reading in concert pitch
✗ CONS
- • Requires adjustment from Bb trumpet
- • More limited repertoire than Bb
Yamaha YTR-4435 SIIC-/Bb TrumpetML Bore Ø: 11.65 mmBrass bell Ø: 123 mmVertical bridge support on the main tuning...
⭐
4.5/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 279431
$1,428
How to Choose the Best C Trumpets
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced c trumpets typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
