Modern Field Trumpets and Bugles
Getzen bugle
The sounding of Taps on a field trumpet or bugle rather than a valved trumpet or cornet has a long and proud tradition. With the number of U.S. veteran funerals rising and a need for live buglers increasing, many trumpet players have been searching for an adequate instrument on which to sound Taps. The style of bugles (outside of the drum and bugle corps movement, which added valves to their instruments) has changed little since the introduction of the M1892 Field Trumpet by the US Army. The M1892 Field Trumpet (also called a bugle) was the main signal instrument for the U.S. military and was adopted by various organizations such as the American Legion, V.F.W. and Boy Scouts. These field trumpets are in the key of G and many are made of poor quality.
The US Army Band (“Pershing’s Own”) has, for almost fifty years, used a B flat bugle (signal trumpet) Bach Stradivarius model made by the Vincent Bach and later Selmer Corporation. These bugles are based on the M1892 model but pitched in the key of B flat and made to higher specifications than commercially available bugles. The original Bach bugles were gold plated and the second batch manufactured were lacquered. Two original ones are on display; one at the Army Band Building at Fort Myer, the second in the Visitor Center at Arlington National Cemetery. The latter is, of course, the famous “Kennedy Bugle.” All the bugles have been used to sound Taps at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington as well as the many simple honor funerals at the cemetery. For years Selmer has refused many official and private requests to manufacture any additional bugles past the original twenty or so they made for the band in the 1960s. In 2007, Bach produced about two dozen gold plated bugles to update the US Army Band’s inventory. A few of them made their way into private hands.
History of the Bach Bugles can be found BACH BUGLES PART I and BACH BUGLES PART II
For the longest time there was no American-based company making a good quality bugle for ceremonial use.
In the spring of 2003, following a news article about a refurbishing of a bugle for a West Virginia Air National Guard Honor Guard bugler, the Getzen instrument manufacturing company was approached with the idea of producing a ceremonial bugle for use at funerals and ceremonies.
The new Getzen American Heritage Field Trumpet (named by Jari Villanueva) is pitched in B flat, made of the finest brass, with a medium large bore. The bugle has a tuning slide, water key and two tabard rings. The American Heritage is a free blowing horn without any of the resistance found in the valve tubing found on regular trumpets. The intonation is superb throughout. It is a double twist horn measuring 16 inches from bell to shank with a 5 inch diameter bell. The bore size is .459. The American Heritage Field Trumpet also has an extra slide to lower the pitch into G. This addition came after many players expressed the desire to have a G horn instead of B Flat. The American Heritage Field Trumpets are used by Bugles Across America, an organization dedicated to providing live buglers for funerals of veterans.
You can find more information HERE
Kanstul entered the bugle market and has produced a superb bugle for use at funerals and ceremonies. It is a double twist horn measuring 16 inches from bell to shank with a 5 inch diameter bell. The bore size is .460 and the intonation is excellent.. They produce horns in B Flat and G
Information on the Kanstul Bugle in B Flat can be found HERE
Information on the Kanstul Bugle in G can be found HERE
Also, after a long process to acquire a replacement bugle for use, the US Army Band in 2002 decided on using bugles manufactured by Stomvi. They were modeled on the 1892 pattern, had two water keys, a tuning slide and two cord rings. The horn is sixteen inches in length (without mouthpiece) and has a five inch bell diameter. It is pitched in B flat and is gold plated.
In 2007 after some use at Arlington National Cemetery, these horns were taken out of service when Bach produced new bugles.
The Getzen and Kanstul instruments are bugles that would be appropriate to sound Taps at a funeral or to bugle at a ceremony. I know that there are many trumpeters in police and fire honor guards throughout the country who are looking for a good B flat bugle to use rather than a valved trumpet. The regulation G (Boy Scout) bugle and the “Gunga Din” bugle just do not cut it for intonation and beauty of sound.
Tags: bugle, collecting
We are in need of someone to play TAPs and someone to echo TAPS at our statewide program “Freedom Is Not Free” being held in Leesburg, Florida May 19th.
For the first time Rolling Thunder® Inc., FLAME OF FREEDOM®
will stop in FLORIDA on its Annual Cross Country pilgrimage
to Washington D.C. for Memorial Day. All Veterans, Active Military and Patriotic Americans, are cordially invited to join the Florida Chapters Rolling Thunder® Inc. in this honor recognition program. For more details see http://www.rollingthunderfl6.com or call me at 352-816-7864. Thanks Kat, Pres.
Us made bugles can be foud at :
http://www.kanstul.net/detail.php?pass_search=50.0000&pass_instrument=Specialty%20Brass
I recently purchased a CG Conn “G” bugle. I paid less than $50 and had some small repairs done. It plays great. I would love to know what it is worth and the year it was made. No serial number.
I bought a Regiment Bugle from the music store. 99 dollars. It is made in China. I looked for one made in the USA but couldn’t seem to find any. I didn’t care to risk buying the “original” ones found all over EBay. So I went for what I knew I was getting. The bugle does make a pretty sound. I’m still working on learning how to make it sound off proper. It is an art form in my book. If any of you who can play have any tips I would love to hear them.
Perse those lips and spit away boys! A scene from MASH seemed to give me a clue. I sound like a traffic jam but I am making bugle noise now.
I finally bought a Boy Scout Bugle like the one at the top of the page. It is in “G”
I have always like the sound of a bugle. Learning to make noise on this thing has been an adventure. It is noise right now. But it sure brings the dogs running. It is etched Regiment, made in China. 99 dollars at the music store. I wonder if any can share their technique of making a bugle sing? I’m getting better at it but still sounds like a traffic jam. Funny part is when I first got it and tried to make it sound it did nothing. My mind for some reason thought of Radar O’Riely from MASH, “I’m out of spit” Pucker those lips.
I just purchased an m1892 ludwig regulation bugler can anyone out there tell me what it may be worth, it is in good condition.thank you for your help.
I just purchased an old “Bel-Air” bugle (# 880) from a local auction. It sounds great and seems to be in an OK shape – It is brass, one piston. I’m looking for more information on this type of bugle. Someone told me it is quite old (perhaps the 1920′s or 30′s) but I have no clue.
Can anyone help?
I am a “LIVE” bugler with the ” All Veterans Honor Guard “. We perform services at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado including full rifle squad, Caplin and Bosn’s Pipe for Navy Funera’s. 90% of all bugler requests are for LIVE buglers. I have heard the “pre-recorded” version at the internment shelters, the “electronic ” bugles most military teams send out to “Logan” and Live buglers. There is no doubt, live bugles are best – especially when performing “Echo Taps”. Our team did a commemorative service for Frank Buckles, the last certified U.S. Vet of WW I. I added the first fifteen notes of George M. Cohans ” Over There” first, then went into regular Taps. It was great! Can anyone tell me where I can buy a new silver plated bugle NOT made in China? Call 303-690-4394 ask for Joe
Anthony, you are correct, they do use bugles that have a pre recorder taps used, such as say an IPOD, not real. I don’t think that should be allowed, it should be real.
Our veterans gave all for us, it would be the least we could do to have it played real, not some recording. That to me, cheapens it..
Unfortunately due to the lack of buglers available an electric bugle has come to bear on military funerals. This is not to say that it is less of an honor by any means. Those who volunteer to take part in the honor guard do so out of pride of service and dedication to those who have gone before us. The call of Taps was there for your uncle as your uncle was there for our country.
What’s your take on the Centennial Bugle, and how does it compare to Regulation Bugle? http://www.scoutbugle.com/Centennial.htm
I recently attended my Uncle’s funeral, He was a WW2 Navy Veteran. Two members of a Navel Honor Guard were there at the cemetary. One stood at attention at the head of the casket while the other played Taps. It didn’t seem he was actully “playing” taps, but there seemed to be some type of device in the bell end of his Bugle. Is there such a pre recorded type of bugle being used at Veterans private funerals?
Years ago I had my Fathers funeral (Koeran War Vet) at Arny National Cemetary in New Jersey. He also had a Bugler play Taps and you can see his chest rise and fall, not the case with the Naval Bugler.
Can you let me know if my suspisions are correct!
Son of a Vet,
Thank you.
How does the “Centennial” by Scoutbugle compare?
HOW MUCH IS THE COST ON ONE A THOSE NOW?