Getzen Trumpets: A Family Tradition of Quality and Innovation

Getzen trumpets are the result of dedicated work and innovations implemented by highly respected in the brass community manufacturer, The Getzen Company.  The family-owned brand’s product line features trumpets, cornets, flugelhorns, trombones, and baritone horns, known for their excellent sound characteristics, high quality and craftsmanship. In this article, we will explore the key points of the brand’s development, the advantages and the most popular models of Getzen trumpets.

Getzen Trumpets: The History of the Brand

Four generations of the Getzen family have already contributed to the development of the company. The brand has received great respect in the world of brass instruments as the manufacturer of reliable and durable trumpets, suitable for musicians of various skill levels from students to advanced players.

Now based in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, USA, the Getzen Company was founded in 1939 by T.J. Getzen, the former plant superintendent of the Holton Company. He started his own business after ten years of working at the Holton Company. Back then, Getzen’s focus was on providing a repair service for musical instruments. In 1946, they launched their first trombone line. After their first instruments were warmly welcomed by the musical world, they expanded their product line to cornets and trumpets.

The company continued to expand their product lines during the 1950s. The number of their employees increased, resulting in an increased production numbers and improved quality of their instruments. The absolute dedication to their craft soon earned them a reputation as a well-respected manufacturer of student instruments. The quality of the Getzen trumpets could even compete with Vincent Bach instruments.

In 1962, the Getzen Company started to design and manufacture a complete line of professional trumpets. Many famous musicians, including an American trumpeter Carl “Doc” Severinsen, contributed to the fact that apart from instruments for students, the company offered products ready to meet the demanding needs of professionals.

In 1963, the whole factory was destroyed by fire, however the company did not falter in the face of that challenge, and they immediately decided to build a new factory in the same place. The next year, the company was already producing trumpets at their new facility. They started with a few selected models but soon expanded to more products, coming back to their full capacity.

In 2001, the company announced the production of their new Severinsen Custom Trumpet.  After Doc Severinsen moved on from Getzen, the 3001 and 3001LE Severinsen trumpets were renamed into “Artist Model” and were set in the place in the Getzen Custom Series line.

In 2007, the company introduced their new model called 907S Eterna Proteus trumpet as the representative of a very popular Eterna line. In 2019, the Getzen company celebrated its 80th Anniversary and introduced the Eterna Deluxe line of instruments, which drew inspiration from Super Deluxe trumpets of the 1950s.

The Variety of Getzen Trumpets

Today, the brand offers a wide range of trumpets, including:

• Student Models: These are entry-level trumpets designed for beginners, featuring durable construction and easy performance.
• Intermediate Models: These are trumpets aimed at advancing students, offering improved sound quality.
• Professional Models: These high-end trumpets are created for professional musicians, who seek a perfect balance between high-quality tone, intonation, and craftsmanship.

What Getzen Trumpets You Can Buy

Nowadays the Getzen Company offers the following series of Getzen trumpets:

Custom Series

This one features models available in clear lacquer or bright silver plate finishes. They are produced in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Their main features include hand-lapped, nickel-plated, nickel silver pistons, nickel silver balusters, and one-piece, hand-hammered bells.  The most popular models within Custom Series are:

• Getzen 3003 Genesis Custom Series Trumpet with an interchangeable leadpipe system and a large throat bell for a powerful sound. The trumpet is known as one of the most versatile models, suitable for various styles, from classical to jazz.
• Getzen 3050 Custom Series Bb Trumpet is a professional model, favored by classical and jazz musicians for its rich, warm tone and brilliant intonation on both low and high ranges.
• 3001MV “Mike Vax” Artist Model Bb Trumpet, a first-class lead model, representing more than 40 years of Mike Vax’s trumpet playing experience. Based on the 3001 design, it features a standard 3001 body, a lower tuning slide venturi tube and lightweight bottom caps.

Eterna Deluxe Series

These trumpets combine modern-day designs and traditional craftsmanship, featuring distinctive elements of the Super Deluxe trumpets of the 1950s.

• 900DLX Eterna “Deluxe” Bb Trumpet designed for professional musicians and featuring hand lapped nickel silver slides and sterling silver mouthpipe. This instrument allows playing with easy and enjoying rich, brilliant tones.

Eterna Series

Trumpets from this series have been tested by the time and now are considered the best-selling instruments, favored by professionals.

• 900 Classic Bb Trumpet is a unique representative of the Eterna 900 series, first launched in the early 1960s. It’s an absolute favorite of advanced players due to its classic design and exceptionally free blowing with perfect intonation.
• 940 Piccolo Trumpet is a long-time representative of the Getzen trumpets, providing excellent intonation and easy blowing.

700 Series

This one features trumpets for musicians with an intermediate skill level.  The instruments combine affordable prices with upper level characteristics. Since 700 Series include limited-production trumpets, you can buy them exclusively from a few Getzen dealers.

• 700S Bb Trumpet was created as an intermediate level instrument with a great response and ability to adapt to various genres that is quite unusual for most instruments of this level.

Capri Series

This series was created to meet the needs of younger trumpeters who seek a perfect horn for stage performances.

• The Capri Bb Herald Trumpet with an adjustable third slide ring offers the perfect combination of the Getzen sound and visual attraction. The model is suitable for performers from marching bands, and musicians looking for a top instrument for festival occasions.
• The Capri 590 Bb Trumpet features Intonation aids such as first slide trigger and adjustable third slide ring. It provides a versatile, responsive feel and delivers a rich tone suitable for classical and jazz music.

300/400 Series

This series is created to cater the needs of advanced students for affordable prices.

• 490 Bb Trumpet was designed to provide excellent sound characteristics and perfect durability. This model includes a standard first valve saddle, gold brass mouthpipe, handspun, and seamless gold brass bell. Musicians can enjoy its free-blowing and warm sounds without paying extra costs.

Field

This series was created in partnership with a volunteer organization, B.A.A. to honor American military veterans of the World War II.

• M2003 Field Trumpet created from yellow brass, is a perfect choice for outdoor and frequent use. It features a professional and polished appearance with a 2-piece bell for powerful sound in open spaces.

Conclusion

Getzen trumpets have a long history and are famous as high-quality instruments able to meet the needs of beginners, intermediate players and professionals. Thanks to a wide range of products, including Custom, Eterna Deluxe, Eterna, 700, Capri, 300/400 and Field Series, each musician can find a perfect instrument for a particular setting and genre. Trumpet players appreciate this brand’s instruments for their durable construction, precision engineering, consistent intonation and smooth valve action.

You may also like our articles about other trumpet brands, such as Schilke and Bach Stradivarius.

If you play a trumpet and would like to upgrade your instrument with custom accessories, explore a variety of trumpet accessories created by KGU Music to enhance your playability and visual design.