Fanfare Trumpets – Specifications

Specifications for the Fanfare Trumpet Range

  • A matching set of valved fanfare instruments commissioned by the British Royal Marines and Royal Air Forces
  • Replacements for the obsolete B&H/Besson instruments
  • The rotary 4th valve on the Bass renders the ‘G Bass’ obsolete.
  • Position of the mouthpiece, valves, banner and bell rim are the same for each instrument.
  • All have the same physical length from mouthpiece to bell rim.
  • Choice of leadpipes for the Soprano and Melody.

Herald specifications

Pitch E-flat to C
Number of Valves
Valves Spring
Valve Slides – 1st
Valve Slides – 3rd
Choice of Leadpipe 5
External Tuning Method Leadpipe & Slide
Mouthpiece Shank Trumpet
Waterkey(s)
Bell Diameter (mm) 130
Instrument Length (cm) 59
Banner Ring Width (cm) 44
Weight(g) 640

Soprano specifications

Pitch E-flat
Number of Valves 3
Valves Material Monel
Valves Spring Top
Valve Slides – 1st thumb hook
Valve Slides – 3rd shunt ring
Choice of Leadpipe 5
External Tuning Method Leadpipe
Mouthpiece Shank Trumpet
Waterkey(s) Lever
Bell Diameter (mm) 130
Instrument Length (cm) 104
Banner Ring Width (cm) 44
Weight(g) 920

Melody specifications

Pitch B-flat
Number of Valves 3
Valves Material Monel
Valves Spring Top
Valve Slides – 1st thumb hook
Valve Slides – 3rd shunt ring
Choice of Leadpipe 5
External Tuning Method Leadpipe & slide
Mouthpiece Shank Trumpet
Waterkey(s) Lever (2)
Bell Diameter (mm) 130
Instrument Length (cm) 104
Banner Ring Width (cm) 44
Weight(g) 1020

Tenor specifications

Pitch B-flat
Number of Valves 3
Valves Material Nickel-plated nickel silver
Valves Spring Top
Valve Slides – 1st adjustable
Valve Slides – 3rd adjustable
Choice of Leadpipe fixed
External Tuning Method 2 slides
Mouthpiece Shank Tenor Trombone
Waterkey(s) Lever
Bell Diameter (mm) 160
Instrument Length (cm) 104
Banner Ring Width (cm) 44
Weight(g) 2040

Bass specifications

Pitch B-flat & F
Number of Valves 3 + 1 rotary
Valves Material Nickel-plated nickel silver
Valves Spring Bottom
Valve Slides – 1st adjustable
Valve Slides – 3rd adjustable
Choice of Leadpipe fixed
External Tuning Method 3 slides
Mouthpiece Shank Bass Trombone
Waterkey(s) Lever
Bell Diameter (mm) 160
Instrument Length (cm) 104
Banner Ring Width (cm) 44
Weight(g) 2540

Besson & Smith-Watkins ® – Legacy Part Information

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