Courtois Evolution IV C-Trumpet! ACEV4C, Adjustable Gap, Serviced, Gorgeous!
One of several intermediate and professional trumpets we are offering for sale. This is an A. Courtois Evolution IV model ACEV4C C trumpet (key of C!) This is an amazing, French-made trumpet with a 0.459 bore, one-piece handmade bell, and Monel valves. Heavy brass tubing and a solid sheet brass brace between the bell and leadpipe make this a tank of a horn which can go from a warm, mellow tone to full-on bright and screamy without frazzling out at high volumes. Valve tolerance on these is known to be looser than on a Strad or Xeno, and is hard to measure on this particular horn because of the vented third valve which eliminates the compression pop and makes the valve and tuning slide super responsive. The trumpet naturally requires a lot of air, and the slotting can be left a bit loose if you like the flexibility, or locked in tighter by opening the adjustable-gap mouthpiece receiver—another crazy feature you don't often find.
This one is in gorgeous condition: lacquer about 99.9% intact with little if any wear at all, danged near perfect with hardly a ding or scratch—if any at all. Just through the shop in October, 2026 where the leadpipe and tuning slides were chem cleaned and the entire horn detergent cleaned, lubed, polished, and had all new tuning slide O-rings, water key cork, and piston felts installed. Third slide has a nice, Teflon-tipped stop screw which is present. Valves are fast and smooth and quiet. Note that this is oiled with SYTHETIC oil and you should use the same or thoroughly clean the pistons and casings prior to using a petroleum based product. All tuning slides are free and smooth. Comes in the original zippered case which accepts backpack straps (not included) and is itself in excellent condition.
S/n 13XX makes this roughly 2009. I think they sold for around $2,400 as late as 2012 (which would be around $3,000 today) and are super hard to find—especially in the key of C, and especially in this condition. So, snatch up the nicest one you'll find, and probably the only one you'll ever see!
