Shim kits from Harrelson

trumpet2012fhl · Veteran Member Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Posts: 268

I have been toying with the idea of getting these just to try out. It is kind of expensive to just go out on a limb, so I was wondering if anyone has tried these out? Did it help with playing,mor are they just a bunch of hype? What did it help fix? Any problems with them.

Any input is welcome.

Thanks

Trumpet2012fhl[/url]

homebilly · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 4:37 am Post subject:

try rubber O rings as a start
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trumpet2012fhl · Veteran Member Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Posts: 268

No one's tried this?

jvand678 · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 4:04 pm Post subject:

They are pretty enlightening. I have the .345 kit for Bb and they'll help clue you into the gap that you like best. A $100 temporary thing is way nicer than having your receiver ripped off, reset and resoldered. The full gap solution set comes with the shims, the measurement tool and the removal/installation tool. Keep in mind, these will only allow you to test a gap reduction. You'll have to use the paper trick to lengthen the gap.
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hilgenboogie · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 1:36 pm Post subject:

I visited Jason's shop in June on a Denver gig and I got to try a bunch of stuff. He liked my Olds Recording, and his SWE trim kit made a huge difference on the horn immediately. He also pointed out that my receiver had been reamed out to an extra large bore by an earlier owner. He gave me a shim insert to make the bore the size the horn was supposed to have, and it lessened the gap. This also dramatically improved the horn. I would recommend experimenting with the gap shims, especially if you play with multiple mouthpieces on the same horn. Really interesting stuff.
Matt

aspeyr1 · Veteran Member Joined: 22 Aug 2008 Posts: 105

These things are great! The gap on my bach C was much bigger than "normal." A buddy of mine stuck a shim into my horn and I was expecting nothing at all. Immediately my articulation was clearer and the slotting was slightly better. The sound became a bit "brighter." They certainly do change the way your horn plays.

I play with one of the shims in my trumpet all of the time now (partially because it is difficult to remove). It makes testing mouthpieces a bit more difficult having to measure all of the gaps and replace shims as needed. However, I feel you get a much more accurate perspective as to how the mouthpiece plays in your horn when fitted "optimally."

But as was stated in earlier posts, you can only shorten the gap, if you have a problem with the gap being to small this won't do anything for you (to my knowledge). Do so research on gaps, there is quite a bit of info out there!

trumpet2012fhl · Veteran Member Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Posts: 268

cshuetva · Veteran Member Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 207

I have the shim kit, and I found for some trumpets, it really improved response and playability. It worked wonders on a previous Eb/D trumpet I had.

I do have one major issue with the shims though... 6 out of 10 times, the shims come out after I swab the leadpipe. I could go from receiver down, but that does not clean as effective.

I'm looking at just getting a schilke type taper to where less gap is achieved.

trumpet2012fhl · Veteran Member Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Posts: 268

cshuetva · Veteran Member Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 207

aspeyr1 · Veteran Member Joined: 22 Aug 2008 Posts: 105

Not a pain to put back in the horn whatsoever!

I can put the shim in the receiver correctly in probably 4-5 seconds.

If you have been playing there is a bit of moisture on the end of your mouthpiece. Hold the mpc upside down, place the shim on the mouthpiece, then insert into the horn at approximately a 45 degree angle. This has worked with the smallest and largest shims

Certainly changes the sound a bit and response quite a bit depending on the severity of the change

cshuetva · Veteran Member Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 207

cshuetva · Veteran Member Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 207

Update... Its definitely a better method but... still a pain in the a.. to put the shim back in.

JasonHarrelson · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 10:31 am Post subject:

If your shims come out too easily, they may not be the correct outside diameter. We offer free exchanges to compensate for outside diameter issues as there are many receiver and leadpipe variations. Just call us at 651.330.7774.

By the way, you could upgrade to an AGR System to solve your gap and venturi issues permanently. http://whyharrelson.weebly.com/agr-adjustable-gap-receivers.html
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cshuetva · Veteran Member Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 207

cshuetva · Veteran Member Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 207

Now on the other spectrum of shims falling out...On a conventional trumpet that I want to sell, I am trying to remove the gap shim, but in this case, it appears to be stuck inside.

Any suggestions on how to safely remove it... It is in there and not budging.

cshuetva · Veteran Member Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 207