Selman 1400L / JinBao JBBT 1400 Rotary Bass Trumpet

Instrument Type: Rotary Bass Trumpet
Stencil Model Number: Selman 1400L
Manufacturer Model Number: JinBao JBBT-1400
Price: $209.95 (25% off)
Distributor: USA Music Supply
Purchased From: eBay
Purchase Date: December 29, 2011
Bore Size (inch): 0.459
Bell Size (inch): 6.10
Material: 22 Gauge Yellow Brass

Lets be honest, I HIGHLY doubt that I'll ever play the bass trumpet in any performance...but it is fun to play around with. This is my first experience with a bass trumpet and it's quite an interesting instrument. The fit and finish of the instrument is excellent. There are no blemishes of any sort on the instrument. At first the rotors were a bit dry, but with a little Al Cass oil they started to perform much better. All of the slides moved freely, so nothing alarming mechanically speaking.

It was quite interesting trying to figure out how to actually hold the instrument. Eventually when I got the hand position correct (or what I THINK is correct) it was pretty enjoyable to play (See Figure 7). Depending on how long you hold the instrument, it can begin to become uncomfortable on your left hand. I jokingly consider the instrument to be more of an alto cimbasso instead of a bass trumpet. As expected, it is significantly larger than the typical Bb trumpet (See Figure 10).

The timbre of the instrument is VERY mellow. If I were a jazz musician, I would absolutely love to experiment with the horn. Due to the rotors, there are definite elements of french horn in the operation and sound of the horn.

When it is all said an done, if you have $210 to blow or your group is performing Wagner's Ring Cycle this bass trumpet would be a good investment. I know there is a piston version of the bass trumpet that I'm anxious to try...so stay tuned for that comparison.

On to the pics:

 Figure 1. Top View

 Figure 2. Rotors

 Figure 3. Paddles

 Figure 4. Bell Etching

 Figure 5. Linkages

 Figure 6. Linkages and Paddles

 Figure 7. Left Hand Position

 Figure 8. Playing Position

 Figure 9. Grip

Figure 10. Size Comparison