When I was shopping around for trumpets a few years ago I had the unfortunate experience’s of trying a Taylor.
It was like playing a Picasso, NOT like a work of art, rather like playing a piece of cubism.
It looked like at had been cannibalized out of 5 different trumpets. Rose tinted bell, brass valve block and silver lead pipe. It literally looked like it had been taken straight out of the world of Picasso’s "Three Musicians" and blew like a stone.
If you’re a trumpet player and you’ve never come across a these terrible Taylor Trumpets before please check out their website. And then look at the Monnette site.
It’s like comparing an Aston Martin to a Boot*
*I’d like to make it clear that this isn’t just any boot. It’s a boot whose wife has left him and run off with a stiletto, subsequently leaving him with a kid that hates him and has since been taken away by shoe services. Since then the boot has hit the bottle, lost his job, his home and is currently being sewed for a failed suicide attempt where he jumped from a building and landed on a high court judge.
To further back up this comparison look for yourself:
I’m sure you can see that the trumpet on the left is hand made by skilled
and master instrument manufactures.
The one on the right looks like a badly designed novelty
piece of rubbish that’s been run over by a car.
The trumpet on the left is played by the worlds best trumpet players.
(Vizzutti, Marsalis, Maynard and many more.)
I wouldn’t like to speculate on those who play Taylor Trumpets.
I think you’ll find this review is fair and impartial if you’ve ever seen or tried the above trumpets. 
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Is that the Taylor Trumpet that you played? I would probably shy away from them if I saw that picture for the first time. Did you try any of the other models? I own a Taylor Trumpet and I don’t quite get the same “drive” out of it as you described. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I respect that, but I was just wondering if the trumpet that you have pictured is the one that you played, or just the most radical looking one that you could put up for all to see and sinc with your comments. The Taylor that I own looks pretty normal and I like it. I’m not trying to start a debate on it, but I was just wondering. Did you buy the Monette?
I’ll be honest with you Charlton. That isn’t the model I tried out. Actually the model I played resemble yours (with the brass and silver theme) but with rose brass and a darker metal thrown into the mix.
The above picture is to convey the visual difference of a more unique property that both manufactures use (i.e. the webing effect).
I would quite happily have chosen any other Taylor trumpet to emphasize the point I was making but that was clearly the best choice - you must agree.
And don’t worry about starting a debate. Everyone is entitled to their opinion as you quite rightly pointed out and I’m happy to discuss my thoughts in more detail, not to sway anyone from their choices but to give a separate perspective.
In answer to your question I bought my Calicchio trumpet (which I have reviewed on the site) and couldn’t be happier. I do plan to get a Monette at some point later in my career but feel that I should earn that trumpet first.
I know that Monette Vs Taylor is a hot button topic but I stand by everything in this post and recommend that you try a Monette some time.
Even if it’s to prove to yourself that you have the right horn for you. I think you’d be pleasantly surprised.
All the best.
Thank you for answering. Most of the people that I have seen and/or read about on the internet with a website AND an opinion never write a response to someone else’s. I have played on a Monette as well and it was great! It wasn’t exactly my choice of mouthpiece size, but it was still a very good experience. I have never played on a Calicchio, but I have heard great things about them.
by the way…I enjoyed the video clip.
CS
Thanks for your input Carlton.
I hope that you keep an eye on my site, comments are more than welcome. I’ve got a few things that will be up later this year including a podcast and a video documentary on my tour of Europe (See The Quarter Tones Page).
Take care buddy.
I’m glad you enjoyed the clip!!
ive just read your review on the taylor trumpet.all i can say is was you awake when you tried the trumpet.
the taylor is a very free blowing horn and when it it pushed to its max volume it dosent break up like monette’s do.
the whole point of a taylor is to stand out from the crowd.it can play at any volume and sound great.
taylor trumpets are one of the only companies in the world that can make a trumpet or brass instrument any way you want it,fully customized, they can make the bell any shape,all the tuning slides any shape, make the stay’s any design you desire.have you seen the phat boy flugal?.they also do the standard model (i noticed that you didnt put a picture up of the standard,(i wonder why). i myself own a taylor 46 custom and its great,in fact its the best free blowing trumpet i have ever played.
i feel your review is wrong im more ways than one. how can some one make a review after playing one model of trumpet and then say that all there trumpets are no good.
i think its a case of you didnt find the one for you.
trust me go and try all the models and then make the review.
im 100% sure you will think different.
Hey Sam,
Thanks for your comment. Let me start by apologizing for the 6 or 7 discussions that were lost during my sites face lift. I’m currently going through old emails to try and restore them. I’ll try and restate some of the points I made in those lost comments.
First off I can assure you that I was completely awake when trying this trumpet
It was truly terrible. I did however concede two points:
1) Perhaps it was just a particularly bad model and therefore it is a little harsh to judge MY personal playing experience when trying a trumpet simply once.
2) Addressing a later point. I did post a picture of a more extreme model of Taylor to overemphasis my point .
I’m glad that so many people have commented on this post.
Although I am not a fan of the trumpet itself I am happy to see musicians stick up for their instruments and to discuss their thoughts.
I have to disagree with you over your “max volume” comment. I found that the Monette trumpets I’ve played have a constant and beautiful sound as the volume increases. I’d be interested to know if that was based on a personal experience or something that you read?
I’d like to say that my Taylor issues stem not only from the instrument but with the musicians themselves. Stick with me - this ISN’T an attack. When growing up all the Taylor musicians I met were all talk and no talent. I’ve yet to personally meet a Taylor trumpet player who doesn’t get my back up.
However, since chatting with some of the Taylor players on this post (mostly from USA) they seem nice enough guys and I’ve heard some sound clips from their own sites and they sound alright. It’s perhaps an unfortunate coincidence I keep on meeting these idiotic players as I have an open mind and it’s taken a considerable amount of reinforcing to make me dislike this particular make of trumpet.
As far as fully customizable instruments go; I think it’s a bit of a fad. Unless you’re making calculated customizations and have done your homework it makes the trumpet more about the look than the sound.
Perhaps this is why the players I’ve experienced clearly spent more time picking out the most obscene thing they can do with a trumpet rather than working hard at their craft to get the attention and recognition they want. It’s simply a short cut to nowhere. You can make the trumpet what ever shape you like but in the end it’s the player that makes it great.
Perhaps this is why Taylor gets an unfair rap? There seem to be those who find them to be personally a good trumpets and those who take advantage of the custom ability for attention.
The guys who post strike me as those who play a Taylor because it works for them (rather than the latter) and want to stand up for their trumpet. Would you let me know more about your 46 custom. What are the customizations you’ve had (if any) and why?
Thanks again for your comment buddy
Hi there,
To reply to the above.
I think its my personal experience, Ive tried a couple monette trumpets and my custom seems much free blowing at all volumes.i don’t know if its just me having a very good Taylor custom or if they all blow the same way.as you know they are hand made and everyone will be a little bit different.
I also think the weight of the Taylor trumpet helps with the sound to.
I’m glad that you said ” my Taylor issues stem not only from the instrument but with the musicians themselves.”
I’m surprised some one can write a review with the title “THE WORST TRUMPET IN THE WORLD” after only playing one of the types of trumpets and then commentating on issues with Taylor musicians.
Also its a bit misleading when you talking about one model and then you put up a picture of a different model.(don’t you think).
i own a custom and it has a heavy red brass bell( to give it a more deeper sound) and custom stay’s with bigger top and bottom caps. i didn’t go for the strange looking one’s they have on offer,this is because my band would think im mad :). but in saying that i have tried the phat boy flugal and the valcan custom. all i can say is WOW.
if you look on there site there’s a review about the valcan and everyone said it can not be made and wouldnt play.
i have tried this and it playes/ sounds amazing.
im glad that there is a company that pushes the boat out once in a while and takes the risk of making something different,and even better still, plays in tune.i dont see many other company taking that risk,i do not know if its because the other company have trouble making a trumpet a different shape and look and it still plays in tune.
i have not played the Taylor phoenix (the trumpet that you have a photo of) so i can not comment on that model.
you might be correct with that model but over all Taylor trumpets play great very free blowing and i think much better value for money than monette,(but that’s what i think,not every one is the same).
thank you for your time.
all the best SAM turner.
Here are the facts. Andy Taylor set out to copy Dave Monette after seeing Dave’s heavier horns. Andy’s business plan was simply to sell as many of his trumpets as he could to people who could never afford a Monette.
Taylor trumpets are aimed at the player who wants people to think they are playing a Monette.
I don’t play a Monette and I’ve never played one. I play a Callet Jazz with an original Callet Magnum mouthpiece. But I’ve played plenty of Taylors and every single one had the most unbelievably bad intonation.
Matt, it’s nice to see someone whose got the balls to tell it like it is. You’re spot on about the Taylor players! Never met one yet who could blow their way out of a paper bag!
Lol!! Thanks for your comment John. What can I say about that comment!? Genius
As for Callet my first decent trumpet was a Jerome Callet soloist and it’s a fantastic horn!!
Thanks for writing back Sam,
I think I’m safe with the title of my post as it’s still my opinion that Taylors are the weakest trumpet manufactures out there - having said that the next time I’m able to I’ll happily give it another shot. It’s only fair.
I agree that well made hand crafted trumpets are far superior to factory built cloned trumpets. However a good hand made trumpet manufacturer will create consistently good quality trumpets which although they may differ in slight characteristics are similar in their high quality.
Another things that puts me off the taylor trumpets are their lego-like characteristics. It’s alright saying “we’ll put on a special bell here” and “weighted caps there” to cater for what their clients want but in my opinion there needs to be a sense of balance to a trumpet. Each part effects the other and work in harmony together. I think the saying:
“A Vulcan is A Trumpet designed by Taylor”
isn’t too far from
“A Camel is a Horse designed by committee”
Trumpets are designed and tested before their release to find their ultimate potential. Banging on different metals and weights here and there will effect the tuning, the intonation and tone (to name a few features).
If your Taylor works for you after those customizations I think you are very lucky.
The fact is the last time I checked (which granted was a few months ago) Monette had a waiting list of at least 6 months for their trumpets to be made to spec.
From experience with my friend I know the process is painstaking so that they can deliver you a top quality trumpet that performs to a high level for the player it was made for. This is because they make a trumpet. They don’t just bang parts together and call it one.
I’ve just looked on the site and seen the Vulcan and Phat Boy…
Sam, don’t take this the wrong way as you seem like a nice chap but did you say WOW before or after you threw up. These trumpets look terrible!!
Vulcan
You can’t seriously tell me that this trumpet blows freely or is even in tune with a lead pipe at a 45 degree angle. Surely this trumpet by itself supports what I’ve been be saying? I think using the flaming trumpet in my post was kind now I’ve seen this sci-fi reject. Sweet mother of god!!!
The Phat Boy Flugel
It looks like someone has reversed over their gig bag in a car. If these where truly ground breaking designs wouldn’t the bigger manufacturers be doing similar things. More than likely by taking a lump hammer to their stock
I think I was going soft on Taylor looking back at some of my responses now I’ve seen their website again. How can you say with a straight face that either of these are a good horns?? I’m all for experimentation with instruments but when it goes wrong; bin it. Don’t sell it!!
The site looks like some normal looking trumpets surrounded by freak “instruments”.
Really Sam. I can understand not agreeing with me over Monette because of personal taste but how can you write that about the Phat Boy and Vulcan??
It sounds like you have made your mind up after playing 1 trumpet.
All ive got to say is ,
have you tried the phat boy, no so how can you comment on it
have you tried the vulcan,no so how can you comment.
You sound like most people when they see that the bells look different and say how can that be free blowing?.
Even i was shocked.
I can tell you that if the length and bore is the correct size and the correct taper it will play just fine.
If you think about it on the slides there are very tight bends and the air go’s around them just fine.no problems at all.
For your sake please contact people who own a phat boy or have player one and ask them what they are like. don’t take my word for it.
Or even better try one your self.
If you don’t like the look of them and in your works call the sci-fi rejects then that’s up to you. not everyone likes the look of them.
1 more thing, to comment on this,
The Phat Boy Flugel
It looks like someone has reversed over their gig bag in a car. If these where truly ground breaking designs wouldn’t the bigger manufacturers be doing similar things. More than likely by taking a lump hammer to their stock
The bigger manufacturers wont make anything out of the ordinary. why?. because simply they can not do it.
If you was to ask them to make you something that is not on there menu they would show you the door very fast because they wouldnt be able to get it to play in tune.
Thank you for taking the time to wright back,
i think were safe saying that you dont like them because of there looks,
nice talking to you
sam
Hey buddy,
I think it’s safe to say that there are more than a few reasons that I’m not a fan I’m quite happy to say I’ve only played one myself as there’s no point in lying and saying that I’ve tried every single one and they are all rubbish. I stand by the impression I get from the products from playing, their look, their sound and the standard of musicians I’ve met who play them.
I can see we’re going to have to agree to disagree and I’m sure that anyone reading will come down on one side or the other.
It was a good discussion and I hope you’ll find something else I write about to be of interest to you (you never know, we might even agree on something)
Take it easy Sam
For the love of God, that Vulcan thing has one purpose - to persuade gullible “look at me” style trumpet players to part with cash. Put one of those in the hands of a real pro (a REAL pro, not one of the countless wannabes who make up Taylor’s client roster) and it will be laughed at and discarded without a second thought. Even the name gives it away, it’s designed from the ground up to be an ego trumpet. I bet his next trumpet will be called “Vader” or “Violator” or something else ridiculous. The Vader would be jet black with a special airy sound and the Violator would probably come with some sort of protrusion attached to scare off other trumpet players.
Search around on google and you’ll find some bloke who makes trumpets that look like Star Trek ships. The difference between him and Taylor is that he knows and admits that he’s making purely cosmetic novelty toys.
I can see it now. Some wannabe pro walking into the studio saying “Dude, I just picked up one of those new Taylor Violator horns, man, I can like totally blow anyone away, like dude, man, I totally rule, man listen to me, listen to me, listen to my new horn, I am like totally there man.”
It’s the truth. I’ve had to work with some of these clowns and it’s not cool. Intonation so far out that it knocks the whole section out of kilter. Try playing lead when you’ve got some nimrod playing a Taylor on third or fourth (Taylor players don’t get second or lead for obvious reasons) and you’ll see what I mean.
Taylor trumpets - the choice of the wannabe.
Nice one John!!
I completely agree. Taylor are nothing but a poor imitation of the Monette brand with nothing to offer but a poor sound and frankly, an embarrassing look. Who in their right mind would buy one of these trumpets??
Great Post Matt
Thanks for your comments guys.
It pretty much sums up my experience with Taylor Trumpets.
Leave a Comment