Description
This Smith-Watkins Bb Trumpet (Serial Number 249) paired with a #32 leadpipe is an exceptional, elite-tier instrument with a highly specialized acoustic pedigree.
It has a solid core with great slots!!!!!
The Heritage of Serial Number 249
Handcrafted in Yorkshire, England, by acoustics pioneer
Dr. Richard Smith and legendary studio trumpet icon
Derek Watkins, this instrument represents the absolute pinnacle of custom British brass manufacturing.[
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- The Production Era: Built with a low serial number like #249, your horn is an early, highly coveted specimen from the company’s prime hand-built era. Long before their military fanfare collaborations or mass-market manufacturing partnerships, early Smith-Watkins instruments were completely custom-tailored to the specifications of elite studio and orchestral professionals.
- The Core Platform: Early Smith-Watkins trumpets were primarily built around a 0.460-inch Medium-Large (ML) or a larger 0.464-inch bore, featuring ultra-premium valve clusters. They were designed to mimic the core density and projection of a classic vintage Bach 37 but with significantly better slotting, freer airflow, and flawless intonation.
This combination gives you a rare, heirloom-quality instrument built by masters, customized to deliver an incredibly smooth, efficient blow with pristine commercial and classical versatility.
The lacquer has a few spots where lacquer is worn….. Everything else is nearly perfect.
Smith-Watkins instruments are completely handcrafted in Yorkshire, England. The company operates from its long-running specialized facility near York.
- Recent Development: In April 2026, the legendary boutique brand was officially acquired by John Packer Musical Instruments. However, the company confirmed that production is staying exactly where it has always been, joining other elite British makers like Rath Trombones in preserving localized, high-end UK brass craftsmanship
It also has the removable internal leadpipe which creates a twin tube type stability of the sound.
The bell flare and crooks look perfect, It has the removable number 32 leadpipe.
You can buy other pipes from the distributor in Chicago….
The Magic of the #32 Leadpipe
What truly separates a Smith-Watkins from other professional trumpets is its proprietary interchangeable leadpipe system. Dr. Richard Smith revolutionized the industry by creating a range of 15 perfectly calibrated, swappable pipes designed to let a player surgically alter the horn’s resistance, blow, and acoustic focus.
- Acoustic Characteristics: Smith-Watkins numbers its leadpipes to reflect the rate of taper and the internal volume of the pipe. While the bright, tight #10 and #12 series are favored by commercial lead and jazz players, and the open #60 series caters to heavy orchestral contexts, the #32 leadpipe hits a highly versatile sweet spot.
- The Playing Experience: The #32 pipe is engineered to provide a perfectly balanced, highly centered acoustic response. It feeds just enough reflection back into the horn to assist with effortless slotting in the upper register, while offering a broad, singing, vibrant core in the staff. It makes the horn incredibly flexible—placing it right at home in a broad spectrum of settings, from classical chamber work to the studio microphone.
Where to Buy More Leadpipes
If you want to trade your balanced #32 pipe for a different taper, you do not have to order from across the pond. You can easily buy brand-new factory replacements right in the US:
- Official US Importer: DF Music serves as the primary official US distributor for all things Smith-Watkins, routinely stocking the full spectrum of swappable trumpet leadpipes. [1, 2]
- Boutique Shops: Major high-end brass outlets like J. Landress Brass in New York also consistently stock and sell individual brand-new Smith-Watkins leadpipes. [1]
- The Cost: Expect to pay exactly $425 USD for a single standalone factory-fresh Bb leadpipe.
The Street Price in the USA
Because this horn is a premium, custom instrument from the hand-built era, its value is tied strictly to condition and the specific used market.
- New Retail Benchmark: Brand new, standard-line Smith-Watkins pro trumpets (like the Mike Lovatt signature model) retail in the US for roughly $3,800 USD, while elite custom “Soloist” line trumpets climb up to $4,800 USD
- The Used “Street” Value: True custom-shop Smith-Watkins Bb trumpets are incredibly rare on secondary markets. Used standard custom models generally trade hands on the street between $2,200 and $2,800 USD depending entirely on structural condition, raw vs. plated finish, and if extra leadpipes are included.
