I got my first Bach 180-72 as a senior in high school. It was the Mt. Vernon model-non silver plated. I really liked it. I played it until 2004 when I decided to ram the 72 up. I ordered a custom one from the Bach custom shop. It was standard weight, large bore, #7 lead pipe which blows darker and fuller, #72 heavy gold brass bell, and silver plated. It blows very dark, rich and full in sound. It is perfect for lead work. It is a keeper. I notice WWBW carries one in stock now.

The Bach 72 Bell produces a rich, dark, powerful, resonant sound and has a more open and flexible tone placement compared to the 25,37,and 43 bell flares. For players who play mouthpieces such as a 7C, 3C or 1C or shallower and who possess a naturally bright sound, but want a darker tone, the 72 is a super choice. Paired with the optional #43 leadpipe, a Bach 72 is free, open, flexible and well balanced in standard, lightweight, heavy weight and Sterling Silver Plus bells. The Sterling Silver Plus bell will give a player incredible power and sound projection but also requires slightly more effort than standard and lightweight models. It is great for powerful passages and symphonic work where it will cut right through the orchestra, but it is not as agile for quick virtuoso concerti and solo playing. For all around work, the standard weight models might be a better choice for all around playing. Lightweight models are brighter sounding, very responsive and lively sounding, but are also very delicate and highly prone to damage. They must be handled with great care to avoid accidental damage due to the very thin metal and light construction.

I had the extreme fortune of receiving this horn as a gift, as well as being able to select it for myself. This trumpet stuck out from the others because of the how effortlessly it responds to me, and its remarkable expressiveness. All of the subtle nuances that I need to bring out while playing jazz are right there when I need them. This trumpet allows me to be sweet and mellow, or brassy, bright, and downright nasty, when ever I need it to be. As I said, it is highly expressive. When I play this horn, I feel like it is really speaking, for me. When playing other horns, like the standard Strad, I felt like the instrument was "Stubborn" somehow, and that this one sang as clear as a bell at my very command.

Got one about 6 months ago, love the clarity and size of the tone. It's a bit more taxing in regards to endurance, but it sounds incredible. High range is clear as a bell. Plenty of headroom for jazz, gets LOUD, wont break up too easily, not fuzzy. Overall, great horn.

I love this horn so much! Better that any other horn I've played.

I bought this trumpet during my senior year in highschool and I decided to go with the 180s 72 bell with a reversed lead pipe, mostly because I wanted a heavy weight sound for classical, but also the ability to blow the roof off when I play lead in Jazz. So in the 180s I found an extremely versatile insturment. Paired with a large cup/diameter mouthpioece, its calm and full, paired with a shallow/lead piece it turns into a lead monster with a tone that definately cuts through the mix. I also have heavyweight valve caps I use in jazz to keep the tone in check, and in classical to round out the sound even more.

At first I was scared of the price but now that I own one, it is well worth it. The sound is crisp and clear and well, you get what you pay for.