The Holton model ST550 is a student trumpet and was designed in collaboration with trumpet great Maynard Ferguson. Its responsive easy-blowing characteristics, great projection and its large, full tone make it easily mistaken for a professional horn.

Specifications are: Key of Bb; 11.66mm bore and 4.8125 inch diameter plasma-welded yellow brass bell; yellow brass mouthpiece; a piston made from monel material with a single-slotted spring barrel; enclosed stainless steel springs and silent one-point non-metal piston guides. The slides are nickel silver outside and brass inside with U-pull on first slide assembly and adjustable stop nut and slide rod on third slide assembly. The finish is clear baked epoxy lacquer and the mouthpiece is a 7C. The trumpet comes in a deluxe wood shell case with dual handles is also available with silver plating called model ST550S.