FAQ

WHAT IS STANDING WAVE EFFICIENCY (SWE)?
For more information on SWE (Standing Wave Efficiency) please follow this link.

Harrelson Mouthpieces are designed to imrpove Standing Wave Efficiency (SWE) which results in cleaner attacks at any volume Harrelson Mouthpieces are available as either Modified Mouthpieces or Complete Mouthpieces in Raw Brass, Silver, Copper, or 24K Gold in either Brushed or Polished finish. We also offer custom engraving and lettering text on all mouthpieces.

MODIFIED MOUTHPIECES - Harrelson Trumpets can modify any size mouthpiece. If you would like to have your mouthpiece modified please use the following link to choose your finish and pay for the modification. Follow the mouthpiece shipping instructions and send your mouthpiece to: Harrelson Trumpets, 24 Second Street West, Waconia MN 55387. Depending on workload we give the following estimates for all Complete and Modified Mouthpiece orders: Raw Brass 2-4 weeks, Silver & Gold 4-8 weeks. We do not sell mouthpiece sleeves seperately.

COMPLETE MOUTHPIECES - Harrelson Trumpets can build virtually any size mouthpiece as a COMPLETE MOUTHPIECE. If you are interested in a complete mouthpiece please use the following link to choose your finish and size. If the size you are looking for is not listed please email us and we will do our best to make it available to you. Depending on workload we give the following estimates for all Complete and Modified Mouthpiece orders: Raw Brass 2-4 weeks, Silver & Gold 4-8 weeks.

Harrelson Trumpets ships all of it's instruments double boxed via the US Postal Service's EXPRESS MAIL option and insures for the full value.

1. Place your mouthpiece into trumpet #1 and mark the end of the receiver onto the mouthpiece shank in blue.

2. Repeat in trumpet #2 and mark in red.

3. Place a toothpick into trumpet #1 and mark the end of the receiver onto the toothpick in blue.

4. Repeat in trumpet #2 and mark in red.

5. Measure the lengths of both blue marks on the mouthpiece and toothpick and subtract the smaller number from the larger of the two. This is your gap measurement for trumpet #1.

6. Repeat for both red marks to figure the gap for trumpet #2.

7. Compare both numbers keeping in mind that they represent the difference in slotting and flexibility in each trumpet.

Why is mouthpiece gap important?

If both numbers are exactly the same you can objectively compare the playability of each trumpet when using the exact same mouthpiece. It is not possible to compare two trumpets objectively if the gap setting is not exactly the same on each receiver.

Mouthpiece gap will affect the resistance, slotting and flexibility of any brass instrument. Every player prefers a different gap setting that compliments their personal playing preferences and habits. The acceptable range of gap is usually between 0 and .150 for most players. If you discover a large discrepancy in gap from one horn or mouthpiece to another, then you may consider having your mouthpiece or receiver adjusted professionally or consider a Harrelson AGR (Adjustable Gap Receiver) be added to one or more of your horns.

Large gap = more resistance, which translates to a tighter feeling horn. Large gap is associated with very defined slots and decreased flexibility.

Small gap = less resistance, which translates to a more open feeling horn. Small gap is associated with loose slots and increased flexibility

SHOP VISITS
If you would like to schedule a visit to the shop or to sample trumpets please email us at info@harrelsontrumpets.com
Harrelson Trumpets is located at 24 Second Street West, Waconia MN 55387 USA.

Shop visits are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY and it is necessary to schedule a time to visit either by phone 952.442.8789 or email

Leadpipes:
#0 - airflow 5, open, broad, dark
#1 - airflow 3, medium open, focused, versatile, medium bright
#2 - airflow 4, open, bright, colorful
#3 - airflow 1, tight, bright, lead/commercial
#4 - airflow 4, 5, very open, broad, colorful compared to #0
#5 - airflow 3, medium open, bright, very focused
#6 - airflow 2, medium tight, bright, very focused

Tuning Slides are available for Bach and Yamaha trumpets as well as all Harrelson Trumpets.

Tuning Slides:
Semi-round: medium blow/defined slots
Round: open blow/clean solid slots
Square: tight blow/clean solid slots

DEMO PROGRAM

To try a Harrelson DEMO Trumpet for FREE for 7 days please fill out and email/mail us a completed DEMO APPLICATION. This demo will allow you to play a modular Bravura DEMO with interchangeable leadpipes and tuning slides BEFORE you decide on all options to ensure a perfect fit to your playing. DEMO TRUMPETS are not for sale. Although we do use the DEMO PROGRAM as a way for clients to choose a set up that is ideal for them... we do not require that you are a paying client to try a demo instrument. The only cost to you is shipping... usually about $50-$60 as we require EXPRESS SHIPPING with $3500 insurance.

If you are on the demo list and have been waiting for a while it doesn't mean you are not still in line... the demo program is very popular and it takes time to cycle through the entire list. To see where you are on the list please check the demo program list.

If you receive a demo trumpet and it is damaged in any way DO NOT DISCARD ANY OF THE PACKAGING! Contact us immediately and we will start the process of filing an insurance claim with the post office.

The following is a list of the various leadpipes and tuning slides that may come with your demo trumpet. There is a brief description of what to expect from each.

Leadpipes:
#0 - airflow 5, open, broad, dark
#1 - airflow 3, medium open, focused, versatile, medium bright
#2 - airflow 4, open, bright, colorful
#3 - airflow 1, tight, bright, lead/commercial
#4 - airflow 4, 5, very open, broad, colorful compared to #0
#5 - airflow 3, medium open, bright, very focused
#6 - airflow 2, medium tight, bright, very focused

Tuning Slides:
semi-round: medium blow/defined slots
round: open blow/clean solid slots

To determine the bell that is on your demo trumpet please refer to the information on the demo program list page.

If you have tried one of the demo trumpets but would like to try a different set up please email us.

The Leadpipe and Tuning Slide are the most crucial parts of a trumpet and must be cleaned weekly with a Leadpipe swab or a cleaning snake. It is recommended to keep a small bottle of rubbing alcohol to spray into the Leadpipe and Tuning Slide to allow things to dissolve and loosen before swabbing. An professional ultrasonic cleaning or chemical dip is recommended once a year.

SILVERPLATE: Silverplated instruments should be wiped down with the provided polishing cloth after every use. Dampen cloth & wipe all fingerprints or watermarks. Polish horn with FLITZ or equivalent as needed.

GOLDPLATE: Goldplated instruments should be wiped down with the provided polishing cloth after every use. Dampen the cloth and wipe all fingerprints or watermarks. NEVER USE POLISH ON A GOLDPLATED HORN. Spray with alcohol if absolutely necessary. Gold is a non-reactive metal but will wear easily. A professional leather valve guide is recommended.

RAW BRASS: A tarnished Raw Brass surface requires no maintenance. Polishing Raw Brass is not recommended as it is tedious and will tarnish quickly. Clear lacquer is not available through Harrelson Trumpets but you could have your raw brass horn sprayed with laquer locally.

OTHER ELEMENTS: Instruments with WOOD, LEATHER, or OTHER METALS require special care and maintenance. Do not chemically clean any instruments with wood or leather. Please call for instructions on your specific instruments.

SATURN WATER KEYS: Saturn Water Keys were invented by Dennis Wedgwood of the UK. They are operated by pressing the circular Saturn Ring towards the center Planet. They do not require regular maintenance but you may have your instrument technician disassemble them and swab with alcohol for a good cleaning. Coat with tuning slide grease and then re-assemble. *** When unscrewing the Saturn cap take care not to lose the spring as it is under pressure. Water keys with metal rings may rattle or make noise. This can be eliminated by coating all parts with thick tuning slide grease.

TRIM: Harrelson Custom Trim parts do not incorporate finger treads. Unscrewing Top & Bottom Caps may be difficult without proper care and maintenance. Grease all threads with tuning slide grease after EVERY cleaning. If your caps become stuck you may loosen them by using 1/8" thick rubber strip and regular pliers. If storing your trumpet for more than 1 month loosen all top and bottom caps.

SLIDES: All slides are lapped & fit to be perfectly parallel for easy use. Some Harrelson Models are intentionally designed to have very few slide braces. Take great care to prevent bumping these slides, causing them to go out of parallel. If your slides suddenly become difficult to move- have your repair technician check for parallel. *** Repair technicians may find it easiest to reheat one or more of the slide joints to achieve parallel. Use recommended slide oil- or mix with a small amount of tuning slide grease if necessary.

RECOMMENDED SLIDE GREASE

Hetman Lubricant #10 for all threads and tuning slide as well as the 2nd slide.
Hetman Lubricant #4 or Light Slide Oil for 1st and 3rd slides and any moving parts.

ACCLIMATION

WHY DO I NEED TO ACCLIMATE?
Imagine that day after day, you commute to work in an old pickup truck driving a dangerous mountain pass. One day, you win the lottery and trade in your truck for a luxury sports car. Performance in handling, acceleration and braking are much improved. If you drive the same pass without getting a feel for your new car, you could easily drive yourself off the mountain. Likewise, your modified trumpet was designed to be the ultimate in efficiency and handling. An acclimation period is necessary to break the old habit of adjusting for every note. A high efficiency trumpet requires more finesse and sensitivity than a factory horn.

LEARNING TO LISTEN:
Your Harrelson Trumpet is designed to project sound directionally out the bell towards your audience. Factory trumpets seem loud because much of the sound is generated from the tubing itself. That is why factory horns often sound better from behind than in front. Try having someone else play an excerpt on your horn while you sit next to them. Now, have them play it again, but sit a distance in front of the bell. The enhanced projection is very noticeable to the audience yet hardly perceived by the player. Your goal is to fine tune your senses to better perceive tone and dynamic range. It is common for new clients to overblow in hopes of recognizing their "old" sound. Play in a live room at mf or softer until you feel your playing is efficient and in sync with your new horn.

TONE QUALITY:
You must open your ears and fine tune your senses to recognize your new tone. Trumpet players are so used to hearing the horn vibrate from behind, that they rarely ever think about how they sound to the audience. Playing in larger rooms will allow you to truly hear the tone, but it is paramount that you develop a sense of your sound from
behind the horn. The audience and orchestra/band members will notice that your tone has darkened and solidified. Just ask them. Harrelson Trumpets sound and play different than conventional instruments. The tone is both darker and brighter. This is because the harmonics in every note have a greater amplitude, which sounds more colorful.

WHY DOES THIS HORN SEEM OUT OF TUNE?
It is not possible to build an acoustic instrument that will be in tune in every key without some adjustment. This is true of all trumpets. You had to adjust intonation for many notes on your old horn and you must now let go of your old habits and listen closely to intonation on your Harrelson Trumpet. Have you ever noticed that the higher you play, the more notes need adjusting? This is due to nodal vibration of the tubing. Higher notes produce more nodal points and excess vibration which translates to more energy loss. Your Harrelson Trumpet was designed to reduce or eliminate this nodal vibration and resulting interference, thereby improving efficiency, tone, response, flexibility, slotting, range and endurance. Once you learn to relax and focus on air speed and pitch, intonation will no longer be an issue.

SHIPPING

Harrelson Trumpets ships all of it's instruments double boxed via the US Postal Service's EXPRESS MAIL option and insures for the full value. When shipping your trumpet to Harrelson Trumpets for repair or fitting please follow the shipping instructions to minimize possible damage to your instrument. Ship to: Harrelson Trumpets, 24 Second Street West, Waconia MN 55387. If you have questions about shipping please call 952.442.8789.

We do ship internationally. We will be happy to combine multiple purchases to help cut down on shipping costs. If you would like a shipping quote please email us with your address.