Best Jupiter Trumpet Models Guide

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Lacey Jackson

Lacey began playing the piano when she was young and started original compositions by the time she was in fourth grade. She studied Advanced Rehotric and Vocal Performance at Chapmans University's Conservatory of the Arts, during this time she performed with the LA Opera Company. Today she is a director for the same community and church choirs she participated in during her childhood!

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If you are looking for a new trumpet, Jupiter has many great trumpet models for intermediate and professional players. You won’t find cheap beginner models with equally cheap accessories as you get with Cecilio or Mendini. Instead, you will get higher-quality models with a reliable tone, excellent craftsmanship, and durability. 

Once you invest in a Jupiter trumpet, you generally don’t have to buy another trumpet unless your musical skill advances such that you need something more responsive to your playing technique. Each of the models included in this best Jupiter trumpet models guide can be used in music school, with online trumpet lessons, or for performances.

Bottomline Upfront

I recommend the 1100 Performance Series for intermediate players. You can choose the clear lacquer finish or the silver plated finish. What stands out most to me is the rose gold bell on some of their performance models. 

The rose gold coupled with a clear lacquer finish offers a warmer tone, perfect for ensembles and orchestras, and it is absolutely eye-catching. There are really too few trumpet makers out there who give rose gold bells, so if that is your style, don’t shy away from Jupiter. 

Jupiter Trumpets

Jupiter trumpets are made by the KHS Musical Instruments Co., Ltd., a company widely known for supporting music education since 1930. They offer a comprehensive range of high-quality brass instruments suitable for music schools, students, and professional players. The company is an international organization, providing consistent quality in their manufacturing since 1930.

Material

Jupiter trumpets are made from a few different materials:

1. Gold brass
2. Yellow brass
3. Rose brass
4. Nickel silver

Lacquer or Silver-Plate

Each of the Jupiter trumpets comes in one of two finishes:

1. Lacquer
2. Silver-plate

You will find that many of the Jupiter trumpets crafted with rose brass have a clear lacquer finish, so you can see the stunning color of the natural rose brass. The clear lacquer finish is usually reserved for intermediate players because it is cheaper. But it also gives you slightly darker notes and helps you show off the natural materials you have selected.

The silver plated finish is often reserved for professionals. It’s very expensive; it can add at least a few hundred dollars to the cost of your trumpet. It also requires more maintenance. You will have to polish your trumpet the same as you would polish silver cutlery.

Bore Size

The size of the bore refers to the diameter of the bore. You typically see bores listed in thousandths of an inch between 0.400 and 0.500. The larger the size, the less resistance when you play. This is better for intermediate and advanced players. Jupiter trumpets all have the same bore size at 0.460 inches, so you don’t have to worry about this as much. 

Selection Criteria

Everything I included was selected based on its manufacturing quality, the versatility in the design and materials, as well as the value for its price. While Jupiter models are more expensive than most beginner trumpets (though about the same for good quality intermediate trumpets), the price has to be directly because of something tangible. And in the cases below, it’s because of rose brass, reverse lead pipes, and more.

Best Jupiter Trumpet Models Guide

1100 Performance Series JTR1100Q

This is an intermediate model trumpet. Even though it’s categorized as part of their intermediate-level, it has the reverse lead pipe and a few other features that you typically only find in more advanced models. It’s very easy to play and offers a great sound.

For example, the reverse lead pipe configuration gives you a better intonation and expression without having to provide any additional air. This particular lead pipe is also crafted from rose brass, so it gives you a much warmer sound. Rose brass is not typically found in beginner or intermediate models, so if you want to stand out, this is a great way to do it.

• It is only available in Bb.
• It has a clear lacquer finish on a yellow brass body.
• The bell is 4.8 inches. 
• It has a .460-inch bore. 
• You get a throw ring and stop near the third valve with the thumb saddle near the first. 

Given that this is an intermediate model, it comes with a soft backpack case. This soft case is perfect for students, but if you are performing regularly, I will encourage you to invest in a separate hard case.

This clear lacquer finish comes in many colors, so you can choose a clear or gold finish. The clear finish is most common among Jupiter trumpets because it helps show off the natural rose brass. It’s also better suited for beginners and intermediates.

1100 Series JTR1100S

This is another intermediate trumpet that’s very easy to play. This model is almost exactly the same as the performance series above, but it has a silver-plated yellow brass body instead of a clear lacquer coating. It has the same reverse lead pipe as many other Jupiter models, perfect for professionals and students alike.

• It is only available in Bb.
• It has a silver-plated finish on a yellow brass body.
• The bell is 4.8 inches. 
• It has a .460-inch bore. 
• It comes with Monel pistons.
• It has a throw ring and stop near the third valve. 
• There is a thumb saddle near the first.

This, too, has a soft case that is a backpack-style carrying bag. This silver-plated finish is better for advanced performers. It gives you a much warmer tone, so I would advise you consider this particular Jupiter model if you are part of a classical ensemble or orchestra.

1100 Performance Series JTR1100SQ

This is another intermediate-level trumpet. It’s part of the same series as the two listed above, and to be honest, their website doesn’t have any information about it being different from the other two, aside from the fact that it’s silver-plated yellow brass like the 1100 Series JTR1100S. 

• It is only available in Bb.
• It has a silver-plated finish on a yellow brass body.
• The bell is 4.8 inches. 
• It has Monel pistons. 
• It has a .460-inch bore. 
• You get a throw ring and stop near the third valve with the thumb saddle near the first.
• There is a backpack soft case. 

This is another model that is part of the intermediate level, but it’s obviously for people on the more advanced end of that spectrum, particularly students or individuals who are performing regularly as part of a group. The warmer tone brought about by the more expensive silver plated finish is better for classical music.

1100 Performance Series JTR1110RQ

This model is another in their performance series, and it is crafted from rose brass. The biggest delineator here between this model and the other performance models is that the body is a clear lacquer yellow brass at the bell crafted from rose brass. The rose brass bell gives it a much warmer tone.

• This model comes with a clear lacquered finish on the yellow brass. 
• It is in Bb. 
• The bell is 4.8 inches and made of rose brass. 
• The bore is .460 inches. 
• You get the throw ring and stop on the third valve slide. 
• You will find the thumb saddle above the first valve slide. 
• It comes with the same soft case for carrying. 
• You have Monel pistons.

Monel valves are the industry standard for brass instrument valves. They are made with Monel alloys comprised of a copper and nickel mixture. The copper is important as it makes the valves more corrosion-resistant. The nickel is significant as it helps strengthen the valves for better playability and lifespan. You also get better warmth and easier playability with the dual-lapped Monel valves. 

1100 Series JTR1110RS

This is another rose brass bell model. It is an intermediate trumpet, but instead of the reverse lead pipe, it has the standard lead pipe. The Monel valves are dual-lapped. These Monel valves are more resistant to corrosion and won’t flake like a solid alloy. 

The downside is that sometimes you find that greenish brown build-up because of an electrolyte reaction in your pistons. If this happens, you’ll see that the brass is leached directly onto your pistons. This isn’t something that happens with stainless steel or nickel plated. Still, it’s rare to see it happen. 

The benefits of the dual-lapped design far outweigh this potential downside. Because it’s harder, it laps the valves and gets heat-treated to properly anneal them. They play faster, and you won’t hear anything when you press down or release, which is nice. 

• This model comes with a silver-plated finish on the yellow brass. 
• It is in Bb. 
• The bell is 4.8 inches and made of rose brass. 
• The bore is .460 inches. 
• It comes with the same soft case backpack. 
• You have Monel pistons.

1100 Performance Series JTR1110RSQ

This one has silver plating on the yellow brass body, a rose brass bell, and a standard lead pipe. It does not seem to have anything that makes it stand apart from the 1100 Series JTR1110RS. 

• It comes with a rose brass bell that is 4.8 inches. 
• It is in Bb. 
• You get Monel pistons. 
• The bore is .460 inches. 
• You have the soft backpack case. 

In this video, you can hear a set with a flugelhorn and the 1100 Performance Series Jupiter trumpet:

500 Series JTR500

This is a lacquered brass model meant for beginners. This model has stainless steel valves. Stainless steel is a very popular choice for mid-range instruments. It’s comprised of 8% nickel and 18% chrome. It won’t flake because it is solid. 

• You get smooth action in the stainless steel pistons. 
• It has a clear, lacquered finish. 
• The third and first valve slides are adjustable for beginners. 
• You get a brass body. 
• There is an option for a soft case or an ABS molded case. 

The stainless steel design is a harder alloy with tighter tolerances, and it preserves the acoustics in your trumpet tubing very well. Stainless steel is aesthetically more pleasing because as the valves wear out, you won’t see signs of degradation the same way you would see flaking on nickel-plated valves. 

500 Series JTR500N

This model is the same as the 500 Series JTR500, except that it has a nickel-plated finish. As mentioned, this nickel finish means it is more durable and better for a beginner who might subject it to a lot of accidental bangs and prods in a backpack. It also offers a better balance between the higher and lower notes. 

• You get smooth action in the stainless steel pistons. 
• It has a nickel-plated finish. 
• The third and first valve slides are adjustable for beginners. 
• It is in Bb. 
• You have a standard 4.8-inch bell and a .460-inch bore. 
• You only get an ABS molded case. 

You can get a great demonstration of the 500 series in the video below:

500 Series JTR500S

This is the other option in the 500 Series. It is otherwise exactly the same except that it has a silver-plated finish. The silver plated finish makes it more expensive, and you will have to invest a lot more elbow grease to ensure it’s properly polished.

700 Series JTR700

This is the start of the 700 series models. The particular trumpet has a lacquered brass body finish and stainless steel Pistons. It’s perfect for beginners, with good intonation and easy responsiveness. You can customize the fit for the first and third valve slides, making it a more comfortable instrument to play, especially if you are younger or have smaller hands.

• It is in the key of Bb. 
• You get a lacquered brass body. 
• The bore is .460 inches, and the bell is 4.8 inches. 
• It comes with a backpack soft care or molded hard case. 

Below is a video demonstrating the 700 Series Jupiter trumpets:

700 Series JTR700R

This beginner model has a rose brass bell and lead pipe with a lacquered brass body finish. It has the option of an ABS molded case or a backpack soft case. Everything else is the same as the other models in this suite. 

700 Series JTR700RS

This is the 700 Series model with a rose brass bell, rose brass lead pipe, and a tuning slide crook. Otherwise, the specifications are the same as the other 700 Series trumpets. 

700 Series JTR700S

This is part of the Jupiter student model. It’s a silver-plated brass body. It’s well-balanced and comfortable. It’s very responsive but doesn’t have the same high-quality valves as the performance series; it has stainless steel pistons. 

It does respond very quickly when you transition from note to note, and the valve slide is adjustable on the first and third valves, so you can actually fit the trumpet to the size of whoever is playing it.

• It comes with a silver-plated finish. 
• The bell is 4.8 inches, and the bore is .460 inches.
• It has an adjustable third valve slide and first valve slide. 
• It is in Bb. 
• There is a thumb saddle above the third valve. 

Even though this is one of their student models, you have the option of ordering a backpack-style soft case just like many of the performance series Jupiter models or an ABS molded case.

What to Look For in the Best Jupiter Trumpet Models

Buying a Jupiter trumpet comes down to the features you prefer most, particularly the material and the finish. You should also consider the tonal quality. The sound produced by your trumpet will matter most. 

If you are unsure which tone works best for your situation, you can always listen to clips online or in music stores of professionals playing the different Jupiter models with various materials and finishes so that you know which combination you prefer.

If you can, I would always advise that you physically hold and test an instrument before buying it so that you can play with the pistons and see how quickly they respond to your movements and listen to the tonal quality difference between a rose brass and yellow brass model. 

FAQ

Bottomline

I recommend the 1100 Performance Series for intermediate players. Even as a beginner, unless you need the ability to adjust the first and third valves for small hands, it is better to move up to the 1100 Performance Series out of the gate. You can choose the clear lacquer finish or the silver plated finish on the stunning rose gold bell. This combination offers a warmer tone, perfect for ensembles and orchestras.

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