Callet Trumpets       

Many thousands of Callet trumpets are in use around the world. If you have a model made before the SIMA, here is the information to identify it and even help establish its current value.

Serial numbers ~

Unfortunately, complete serial number information is not available for Callet models that predate the SIMA. When Mr. Callet first retired all information about these horns was sold along with his shop equipment. To our knowledge, the new owner is no longer involved in the music business and we have no access to the information. However, we can provide the following partial information to help many owners:

*Note on serial numbers: Zig Kanstul picked up the Callet serial numbers right where they left off with DEG, #4252. The numbers continued consecutively to approximately 7900. At that time, unfortunately, a change in production at Kanstul required that the sequence be discontinued. Therefore, there are serial number jumps in later Callet trumpets.

Do you have pictures?

We would like to add more pictures of the following models. If you own one of the following models and can forward quality pictures then we will be pleased to add them to this page. Please forward to our email address: Callet Trumpets

Callet Stratosphere ~

The Stratosphere is the last design before Jerry's "retirement" and is considered by many to be the finest medium-large horn design on the market. The Stratosphere is essentially a reworked Callet Jazz that ends with a .460 bore at the tapered tuning crook rather than .470. As only 6 Stratospheres were ever produced, they are rare and highly sought after. The performance of the Stratosphere is surpassed only by the Callet SIMA. Used models have been selling in the $1600-2200 range, depending on condition.

Callet Superchops - Bb and C ~

The Bb Superchops trumpets were built in both .460 and .464 bore sizes. The special feature was a heavyweight 5 1/16" bell discovered by Claudio Roditi in the Paris workshop of Roberto Mazereau, a longtime designer at French Besson. The body and slides were of medium-light weight to precisely balance the feel and blow. Included a custom tapered and extra long reversed leadpipe with extra heavy mouthpiece receiver. The C trumpet was made in .464 bore only. The Superchops trumpets have a brilliant, very powerful sound. Though excellent for big band lead, latin, R&B, and rock groups, they also performed admirably in orchestras. The tuning on Superchops trumpets is sensitive to mouthpiece selection. Callet SC mouthpieces are an especially good match. Used models have been selling in the $950-1300 range, depending on condition.

Callet Gran Prix Bb ~

A very limited edition, the Gran Prix was modeled after a highly regarded pre-war French Besson but with Callet custom .453 leadpipe and receiver. The 4 3/4" bell, a perfect copy of a 1930's Besson, came from Kalison in Italy. 

Callet Jazz ~

The most renowned and popular of Jerry's trumpets until the advent of the SIMA, the Jazz has been used in jazz, rock, latin, and classical ensembles around the world. It's easily identified by large script "Jazz" on the left side of the bell. Utilizing an exclusive "expandabore" design, the reverse leadpipe started with a .353 bore at the end of the receiver then gradually expanded to .450 at the beginning of the tuning slide and continued to .460 at the tapered tuning crook. The gradual expansion continued around the curve of the tuning slide to its final size of .470 entering the 3rd piston. This true conical bore responds like a small bore trumpet while retaining the volume and projection for which Callet trumpets are famous. The initial Jazz bell was a Benge clone but with a larger throat for more power. Jerry custom shaped it to increase the solid core and focus of the sound while pulling each tone into excellent pitch center in all registers, even the top, top end. The conical cornet-styled bore provides a warmer and darker sound than the Soloist that preceded it. Early models of the Jazz used a conventional 3rd valve slide and a gold wash on the inside of the 4 7/8" bell (pics on right). Later models were silver throughout and added an underslung 3rd valve slide. Used models have been selling in the $1050-1400 range, depending on condition.

Callet Symphonique Bb ~

Exact same trumpet as the Callet Jazz except for different finger hooks. Easily identified by large script "Symphonique" on the left front of the bell. (Note-the adjustable 3rd slide ring in the pictures is an after-market modification). Used models have been selling in the $950-1300 range, depending on condition.

Callet Symphonique C ~

Same trumpet as the Callet Symphonique Bb but in a C version. Used the same bell as the Jazz for a big Bb sound and excellent intonation. Used models have been selling in the $950-1300 range, depending on condition.

Callet Copper Insulated ~

Jazz and Symphonique trumpets in both Bb and C were also offered in copper insulated versions. In an 8 hour process, .0025" of copper plating was added to each bell. The bells were then finished in silver plate. Copper insulation resulted in faster response, smoother legato playing and increased control of both soft and loud dynamics over existing all-copper designs. Peter Masseurs, principle trumpet of Holland's Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, used a copper insulated Callet Symphonique as his primary C trumpet. Now, as principle emeritus, Mr. Masseurs uses a Callet SIMA C.

Callet Soloist ~

Building on the huge success of the Callet New York trumpets, the Soloist was Jerry's first "full pro" trumpet in both design and construction. The Soloist featured a 1-piece 4 7/8" hand hammered bell modeled after a classic Benge design, a heavyweight receiver, and a specially tapered leadpipe all custom designed by Jerry. Construction was completed by Kanstul in California. Offered in both Bb and C versions, most Soloists were built around a .470 bore. However, a few .464 were also made. Bore size was stamped on the 2nd valve casing. The Soloist remains the most centered, focused, and in-tune extra large bore trumpet ever made and it is still in regular use in bands and orchestras around the world. The sound is brighter than the Jazz so it's particularly well suited to big band lead, latin, and R&B, especially for players that use a lot of air and like a big, big sound. Used models have been selling in the $950-1300 range, depending on condition.

Callet New York ~

Beginning in the early '80s, Jerry worked with Donald Getzen and DEG to make a pro quality horn at an intermediate price. Jerry's custom changes to the original DEG design resulted in a trumpet that outperformed all existing trumpets in power, slotting, upper register control, and intonation, and at a fraction of the price of competing horns. Several thousand of these horns are still in regular use around the world. Made in both Bb and C models, these horns are generally identifiable by "New York" inscribed on the leadpipe and/or bell. The nylon spring holders in the valves also easily identify these horns (see pic on right). None of these horns are inscribed with the words Jazz, Soloist, Symphonique, or Stratosphere as these models were made after the New York Callets were out of production. New York Callets came in 3 bores: .460 (no marking), .468 (LG engraved on horn), .472 (SLB, for super large bore, engraved on horn). A personal favorite of Jerry's, the SLB is the largest bore trumpet ever in regular production. It produced a huge sound, particularly in the upper register, yet still retained a solid core and focus to the sound. In later years, Jerry learned how to design a comparably large sound in smaller bore horns so the player did not have to work as hard. Used models have been selling in the $800-950 range, depending on condition.

Callet Jazz Flugelhorn ~

Utilizing radically new slide routing, the Callet Jazz ended the long existing intonation problems inherent in flugelhorns. The new routing, a .460 bore, and the custom 6" bronze bell produced a rich, dark sound with outstanding evenness and superior power in every register, even the high end. Unfortunately, the bell material proved extremely difficult to manufacture. Only about 1/3 of the bells successfully made it through production. For this reason, the Jazz flugelhorn was withdrawn form the Callet line within a couple years. But the approximately 60 Jazz flugelhorns that made it to market are still considered state-of-the-art for sound, intonation, and response. Used models have been selling in the $1200-1600 range, depending on condition.

Callet New York Flugelhorn ~

This limited production horn designed by Jerry Callet and manufactured by DEG redefined quality for an intermediate price flugelhorn. Only a handful of this model made it to market. Used models have been selling in the $900-1100 range, depending on condition. If you have any pictures or further information we would be pleased to post it.  Please forward to our email address: Callet Trumpets

Callet Piccolo and Eb Trumpet ~

Though rarely seen, Jerry did design and manufacture a few piccolo trumpets and Eb-D trumpets. If you have any pictures or further information we would be pleased to post it. Please forward to our email address: Callet Trumpets

Callet Jazz Tenor Trombone ~

A limited edition introduced in the 1990's, the Callet Jazz trombone offered faster response, increased power and projection, and a fuller sound in all registers including the top end. Featured an 8" heavy-weight bell and a custom venturi leadpipe. Though no longer available, there is still a considerable market for Jerry's specially designed trombone leadpipes.

Price List, November 1, 1988

Price List, October 1, 1992

Underslung Third Valve Design ~

A craftsman from French Besson had, for many years, urged Jerome to invert the male/female tubing on the 3rd valve slide in order to move the tuning ring to the bottom of the slide in the manner of pre-war French Bessons and vintage Conn 2Bs. In the mid 1990's, Jerry finally found the time to fully test this design. He came to the same conclusion as French Besson - the underslung 3rd valve improved a horn's harmonics, speeded response, increased projection, and significantly improved intonation. By the late 90's, the underslung 3rd value was a standard feature on all Callet trumpets. By the closing of his shop on 2001, Jerry had converted dozens of pre-existing Callet trumpets as well as models from most other makers. For all horns with this conversion, Jerry suggests using the slide only to gain a low F. He strongly agrees with Renold Schilke, Harry Glantz, and the many others who taught that all pitch adjustments should be done solely with the lips. Due to its improvements in intonation, the underslung 3rd valve makes this technique far easier than other designs.

Service ~

As many thousands of these Callet models are still in use around the world, we receive regular requests about service. Due to their age, there are no currently known sources of parts for the New York trumpets . A high quality repair person is your best bet best for fabricating needed parts.

Kanstul produced all the Soloist, Superchops, Jazz, Symphonique, and Stratosphere trumpets. Contact them for any needed parts for these trumpets. In our experience, Kanstul is able to duplicate anything you or your repair person needs for these models .... Kanstul Musical Instruments