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Blueprinting


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dr_trumpet
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Joined: 22 Nov 2001
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Location: Cope, IN

PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 6:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

James Becker wrote:
If any of you would like to book a same day appointment for blueprinting and show up in person I'll gladly let you play test your trumpet every step of the way.

I remember Andy Lott's visit where we did one adjustment at a time then let him play test his Bach C trumpet after each step. Phillip Chase Hawkins was present in the room as Andy play tested. The two of them looked at each other with amazement after each progressive adjustment. Having heard it with my own ears and receiving their positive feedback confirmed the validity of each adjustment.

It's time to finish my lunch and get back to restoring the valves of a 50 year old Bach Stradivarius. I've gotta go get some work done!


How does one get their instrument on the schedule?

Thanks for all you offer on TH,

AL
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Artist/Clinician for Vincent Bach Trumpets (Conn-Selmer)
Principal Trumpet, Hendricks Symphony (Avon, IN)
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shofarguy
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Joined: 18 Sep 2007
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PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 8:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The easiest thing to do to determine if the blueprinting process really works and how it affects a given instrument is to play numerous instruments of the same model and manufacture before and after the process.

If there is a consistent result, if the instruments show less difference between one another after the process than they did before each had the process performed to it, then the blueprinting is having the effect of giving a more consistent instrument.

This is exactly what Flip Oakes does and I have had the pleasure of taking part at various times in his setting up of newly delivered Wild thing instruments. The result is a very consistent experience, horn to horn.
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Brian A. Douglas

Flip Oakes Wild Thing Bb Trumpet in copper
Flip Oakes Wild Thing Flugelhorn in copper


There is one reason that I practice: to be ready at the downbeat when the final trumpet sounds.
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LittleRusty
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PostPosted: Thu Feb 16, 2017 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We all will eventually pass on. I hope that our master techs document or pass on their knowledge to the next generation. It would be a shame to lose their trade secrets.
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James Becker
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Joined: 02 Sep 2005
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Location: Littleton, MA

PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 5:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Heim wrote:
Jim when did you start doing this "blueprinting"?

Thanks


We've been performing these services individually for decades, at least as long as I've been at Osmun starting in 1989. The concept of offering all of the above approach we call blueprinting is relatively new name for what we've been doing all along. You could think of blueprinting this way, rather ordering from the menu ala carte you're getting the full combination plate. So in addition to recording valve alignment data before and after adjustment we also measure and record all other pertinent data about your trumpet i.e. receiver gap, mouthpipe venturi size and any additional corrections to the bore.

I hope this is helpful.
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James Becker
Brass Repair Specialist Since 1977
Osmun Music Inc.
77 Powdermill Road Rt.62
Acton, MA 01720
www.osmun.com

Our workshop is as close as your nearest UPS store https://www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_US
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James Becker
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PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 5:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

dr_trumpet wrote:
How does one get their instrument on the schedule?

Thanks for all you offer on TH,

AL


Thanks for asking AL.

Anyone can log onto our online scheduling page and book an appointment in advance for blueprinting or any number of services available that we offer same day service.

https://osmunmusic.fullslate.com/

Larger jobs like rebuilding and restoration are performed in the order they are received often requiring weeks to complete.

I hope this is helpful.
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James Becker
Brass Repair Specialist Since 1977
Osmun Music Inc.
77 Powdermill Road Rt.62
Acton, MA 01720
www.osmun.com

Our workshop is as close as your nearest UPS store https://www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_US
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Paladin53
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Joined: 27 Sep 2015
Posts: 34

PostPosted: Fri Feb 17, 2017 6:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

James Becker wrote:


It's time to finish my lunch and get back to restoring the valves of a 50 year old Bach Stradivarius. I've gotta go get some work done!


That's probably MY 50 year old Bach James is about to restore the valves and blueprint.
I am so looking forward to what James can do for this really fine old Bach.

Godspeed James Becker.

Floyd
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kevin_soda
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 12:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

JazzFluegel wrote:


Seems like a lot of sweet moolah for what are essentially minor adjustments (based on the Osmun list of what they do) when a total refurb including fit and finish making the horn like or better than factory-new ran me less than a grand last time I had one done (just south of Seattle by name escapes me). . ..
I would love to know where you went just south of Seattle. I live in West Seattle and it takes me 45minutes to get to the guys on the north end. Lat me know if you can remember. Thanks!
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kevin_soda
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 11:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm doing it! I'm buying a blueprinted Bach from relatively the same era as my current 37! I'll keep you posted on the outcome. Wish me luck. Seems like a pretty safe bet.
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RandyTX
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds a bit like buying a certified pre-owned vehicle, but with a better chance of getting a winner.
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Jay2015trumpet
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Joined: 29 May 2015
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 6:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had Osmun do a PVA on a vintage Holton and the horn played super evenly afterwards. The Fs and As were spot on; definitely worth the money!
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kevin_soda
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2017 9:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jay2015trumpet wrote:
I had Osmun do a PVA on a vintage Holton and the horn played super evenly afterwards. The Fs and As were spot on; definitely worth the money!


My current Bach 37 had Reeves alignment before I bought it but no other work since then. I'm considering sending it out for blueprinting if I like the way the new/old one plays.
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kevin_soda
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My new/old Bach 37 arrived yesterday afternoon! I bought it from Thompson Music and it arrived in the condition they accurately described on their website with nothing unexpected. Well packed and right on schedule. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect because I've never played a blueprinted horn before but I was excited to find out. I immediately noticed a much more responsive tone that was a bit more vibrant than my other Bach, also a 37. I found the octaves lined up better and the notes a couple lines away from the staff in either direction were more accessible. This horn plays great and I really enjoy it.

I continued to switch back and forth between the two horns, trying my best to be impartial, finding the blueprinted model just more fun to play. The only drawback I found is that I was having trouble trusting the instrument. I've played my other Bach 37 for about 15 years and it's hard to let go of all the little things I've learned to do in efforts to compensate for the shortcomings of the instrument. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to go further with this new/old horn.
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James Becker
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Joined: 02 Sep 2005
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 5:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you Kevin for your positive review of your new (used) blueprinted Bach Stradivarius Bb trumpet and for sharing your experience with the TH community!
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James Becker
Brass Repair Specialist Since 1977
Osmun Music Inc.
77 Powdermill Road Rt.62
Acton, MA 01720
www.osmun.com

Our workshop is as close as your nearest UPS store https://www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_US
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markp
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 4:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Does Osmun ever get a horn for blueprinting that is just a DOG that no amount of tweaking or blueprinting will fix?
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James Becker
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 4:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks markp for asking.

We're convinced that if the design of an instrument is sound, then perhaps it fell short in it's execution.

One could think of this way, a well written piece of music played badly is still a fine piece of music, it's when played well that you can fully appreciate it's beauty.

The point of blueprinting is to peal back the mystery and lay out all the possible scenarios for why an instrument may not be playing as well as it should. Hopefully through our close examination of all the components, measuring, documenting and play testing and adjusting we'll get to the root of the problem.

I hope this is helpful.
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James Becker
Brass Repair Specialist Since 1977
Osmun Music Inc.
77 Powdermill Road Rt.62
Acton, MA 01720
www.osmun.com

Our workshop is as close as your nearest UPS store https://www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_US
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gtownlead
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Location: Portland, ME

PostPosted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 4:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

James,
Curious to know if you have ever blueprinted one of the Dillon Music c trumpets or something similar? Something that can take a bargain horn and turn it into a reasonable player, or just "lipstick on a pig"?
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James Becker
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 8:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sure, any foreign or domestic trumpet can have poor valve alignment, burrs and excess solder left behind from assembly, mouthpiece receiver issues, leaky imitation Amado keys (this is one of my pet peeves), you get the idea. So long as the piston valves are well fit without excess leakage, scoring 85% or better on our pressure tester, then there's hope.

Do you own one you'd like to send our way? You can schedule an appointment for blueprinting online here https://osmunmusic.fullslate.com/ Once your trumpet is in our hands we can thoroughly inspect it and advise you where we think there's room for improvement.

I hope this is helpful.
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James Becker
Brass Repair Specialist Since 1977
Osmun Music Inc.
77 Powdermill Road Rt.62
Acton, MA 01720
www.osmun.com

Our workshop is as close as your nearest UPS store https://www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_US
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MrOlds
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 8:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

A friend had his Bb and C blueprinted. They sounded fantastic after the procedure. Based on that and threads like this I sent my Bb to Mr Becker.

I've had it back for a few weeks and I'll say the the horn is completely transformed. Better in every way. Even scale, better slots, more ring/resonance in the sound. Attacks have more ping at the beginning of the note.

For me it was completely worth it. I'm planning to send in my C this summer.
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James Becker
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 6:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you MrOlds for sharing your positive experience with the TH community. Unsolicited testimonies like yours from satisfied customers affirm the effectiveness of our blueprinting service. We look forward to receiving your C trumpet this summer.
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James Becker
Brass Repair Specialist Since 1977
Osmun Music Inc.
77 Powdermill Road Rt.62
Acton, MA 01720
www.osmun.com

Our workshop is as close as your nearest UPS store https://www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_US
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Mark Bradley
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 6:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought one of those BTR-1580 Blessing trumpets as they were selling out pretty cheap. These last gasp at at a Bach beater from Blessing, designed by Fred Powell are nice horns but sort of diamonds in the rough. A fine under rated trumpet with great potential to be even better (Sonare took it one step further). To me the BTR-1580 was like the Chiefs drafting Patrick Mahomes at QB-- unproven and rough but with a heck of a lot of upside. So I proceeded to make it butt ugly by removing the god-awful matte silver finish and among other things sent it to Osmun Music for blueprinting. They were very straight up about what this procedure will do for a horn, making no outlandish claims but saying as a rule you'll see at least a 10% improvement in how the horn plays. So I'm not sure exactly what they did, whether the blueprinting involved dozens of elf like technicians with thick glasses and white lab coats working furiously or a tribal dance around a camp fire holding the horn up to a deity resembling Al Hirt. Whatever they did while a very subjective measurement I'd agree that after the blueprinting there was at least a 10% improvement, maybe more. Now 10% may not sound all that significant but I think when you start out with a good instrument-- most modern "pro level" trumpets are going to be pretty good in todays highly competitive market, so if you can make it better you're accomplishing something worthwhile. If you have an instrument you like I don't think you can go wrong having Osmun work it over (I'd also give honorable mention to Flip Oakes enhancement process). However if you're starting with a lousy horn a turd is still going to be one no matter how much you polish it. In other words if you had an $89 (plus postage) trumpet from India enhanced even a 40% improvement isn't going to do much other than putting lipstick on the pig. Don't expect miracles.

So yeah, Osmun made my Blessing 1580 play better. Kudos for them.
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