My son has recently been given a choice between two used trumpets, one which is a Frank Horton & Co. trumpet (a number of years old) and one which is a Cecilia trumpet (which I believe is new). I haven't been able to find much info about what a "Cecilia" trumpet is rated, in comparison to other trumpet brands.

Can you give me some advice, or do you have any idea who I could check with? The Cecilia trumpet looks "newer" but I wonder if it is a cheap japanese brand, while the Holton trumpet looks old, but well made.

Frank Holton is a US brass instrument manufacturer, founded 1898, with a good reputation for value, if not quite the highest professional quality. The "Cecilia" was probably made in Thailand. However, there are also "Cecilia" saxophones made in Taiwan. I would go with the Holton, provided there is no obvious damage, and it plays to your son's satisfaction. A new instrument is likely to lose value more rapidly than an old one will.

Holton by a country mile. Holton are well known and respected. Cecilia I think I've seen floating about in the same sentence as Tristar a few too many times. If you can get over the secondhand idea (which I think you really must) then you should go Holton.

Stephen

Holton are quality - ive had one since i was 12....10 years now and i wouldnt swap it even though a number of ppl in my band keep offering me other instruments to swap it with!
Holton (you do mean Holton dont you - cos you typed Horton in your post....) is a professional instrument maker and i would highly recommend their instruments for ppl that are serious about music. I must say i dont know much about Cecilia - but if youve got the option of a holton i dont think you can go far wrong...

My Holton has a very bright clear sound and when you hold it the bell weights the instrument down - i always think you can tell a good instrument if the bell is slightly heavier than the rest - good quality brass in the bell always produces a good resonant sound rather than a dead sound if you see what i mean...
Hope that helps
Alison

Holton are quality - ive had one since i was 12....10 years now and i wouldnt swap it even though a number of ppl in my band keep offering me other instruments to swap it with!
Holton (you do mean Holton dont you - cos you typed Horton in your post....) is a professional instrument maker and i would highly recommend their instruments for ppl that are serious about music. I must say i dont know much about Cecilia - but if youve got the option of a holton i dont think you can go far wrong...

My Holton has a very bright clear sound and when you hold it the bell weights the instrument down - i always think you can tell a good instrument if the bell is slightly heavier than the rest - good quality brass in the bell always produces a good resonant sound rather than a dead sound if you see what i mean...
Hope that helps
Alison