Adams A4 VS Harrelson Summit

jeffsutton · New Member Joined: 07 Jun 2017 Posts: 3

After paying in full for a Summit trumpet and not receiving the horn for over a year despite being told on at least 8 different occasions that the horn was ready for final assembly , I initiated chargeback procedures through PayPal and ordered an Adams A4 . I received the Adams trumpet in 3 days at half the price of the Summit . Upon learning of the chargeback , Jason Harrelson sent me the Summit(minus the gold plating as originally ordered) without me agreeing to take delivery of the horn . I decided to keep both trumpets to compare them knowing that I could sell whichever one I didn't want to keep .
It turns out that the Adams A4 was the horn that I have been looking for . It has a much darker sound and the build quality is every bit as good as the Summit . The Bauerfeind valve block is the best and I have found that the horn is really versatile and can be used in all kinds of settings . I have sold the Summit and used the money that I saved to buy an Adams F2 flugelhorn as well which may be the finest instrument I have ever owned .
I ordered the Adams from Austin Custom Brass and the customer service has been amazing !
Many say that the wait times and communication issues as well as the expense of the Harrelson trumpets are worth it , but clearly this was not the case in my situation . There are lots of options out there these days for anyone looking for a top quality hand made custom trumpet .

Dayton · Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 3:41 pm Post subject:

Jason Harrelson makes some very good quality, innovative horns, but like you, I have found his responsiveness and customer service to be quite poor. It's great that you found a horn you did like.

Zeé · Regular Member Joined: 16 Jul 2011 Posts: 68

Wait - you initiated a chargeback, and you got a horn that isn't what you ordered (no plating) and you were forced to sell it on your own to recoup? I hope not, that's cruddy! Maybe if selling on your own & you somehow got more than you paid it'd fall into the 'alls well that ends well', but that seems unlikely? Taking any monetary hit on it, even slight, would really grind my gears.

Master Jabroni · Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 7:09 pm Post subject:

Deleted..

jeffsutton · New Member Joined: 07 Jun 2017 Posts: 3

Zee , I got a refund for the gold plating but I lost a little money in the sale . That was the price I paid for accepting the Summit so that I could compare the horns . I wanted to see if the difference in price of the horns was justified. The Summit was $6000 with gold plate and the Adams was $3000 in brushed lacquer which is stunning looking . The build quality of the Adams is just as good if not better with the Bauerfeind valves and the sound of the horn is what I was looking for . Even after the consultation with Jason during which we talked about everything that I wanted in the horn to give me a darker sound , he failed to deliver . The A4 is perfect for me and I bought the Adams F2 flugel horn as well which is just as good as the A4 . I got 2 awesome horns for the same price as the one Summit .
Dealing with Harrelson was an awful and stressful experience that dragged on for more than a year , but if it hadn't happened like that , I wouldn't have even heard of the Adams brand . In the end I wound up with 2 of the most beautiful horns that I'll ever own . I definitely will not do business Harrelson Trumpets again .

Brent · Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 4:14 am Post subject: horns

Considering all the horn makers there are these days, I can't see how one can stay in business for too long with that kind of customer service.
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cyber_shake · Heavyweight Member Joined: 16 Jan 2006 Posts: 769

I agree, it is awesome that your found the right horn(s) ... plus, very good that you could play them side-by-side to determine which was best for you. Now you'll never wonder 'what if...?' I also love my A4 and have an F1. They are 'the best' for me ... and after playing many horns over the years, finding axes that 'fit' you makes every moment of playing the greatest joy!
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Rod Haney · Heavyweight Member Joined: 22 Aug 2015 Posts: 937

Sometimes you feel like a nut,
Sometimes you don't!😈

kevin_soda · Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2017 11:18 am Post subject:

I keep hearing these stories about Harrelson and I just find it so disappointing. I really want to experiment with 5MM but it just doesn't seem worth the trouble. I understand the long wait for horns but misleading people about the lead time isn't cool. You've heard similar stories about Calicchio but they're upfront about it: "we build one horn at a time and youll get yours when it's finished..." That can be frustrating but at least you know what to expect. I imagine it's hard to be in that position and I hope for everyone's sake that Jason finds a way to manage the workload because we need people like him to continue pushing boundaries (of trumpet manufacturing, not customer relations, obviously.)

It's great that you eventually found what you were looking for and I'm thankful that you shared your experience in an honest and respectful way.
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DickieG64 · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 4:46 am Post subject:

My story with Jason goes like this:

I ordered the Summit in May about 8 years ago. I expected to wait 6-9 months. Then in June they emailed me and said they were running a production of that kind of horn and I would have in three weeks. I was really excited. After 6 weeks I called. They said they had some delays and I would have it in three weeks. After another 7 weeks I wrote a letter demanding my money back. And wouldn't you know it, I got an email saying it was on the way with an apology. I got the horn in a week..

The horn was a really good horn. I played it for a year and half and then sold it. I too think Jason is a great innovator and we need people like him who pushes the design envelope. But you have to have good business practices and not promise delivery twice and then the horn not come. I thought maybe things had changed, but maybe not.
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Taylor Flugle Horn
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Ex-Trumpet · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 5:13 am Post subject:

Under-promise, over-deliver...a simple concept that apparently is difficult to execute, as so few companies--or people--do it.
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Robert P · Heavyweight Member Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2596

Crazy Finn · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 9:58 am Post subject:

There seems to be quite a few ex-Harrelson player/owners out there....

razeontherock · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 8:36 pm Post subject:

To the OP:

in order to compare these horns the way you have, wouldn't you need to specify which bell and leadpipe are on the Harrelson? Or has Jason discontinued those options?

jeffsutton · New Member Joined: 07 Jun 2017 Posts: 3

The Summit that I had was built with leadpipe #4 and the 10x bell based on a consultation with Jason where I explained the sound that I was looking for and the type of playing that I do. I primarily do small jazz combo stuff in very intimate settings so I was looking for a trumpet with a darker sound and a bell that spread the sound rather than focus it tightly . The Adams A4 does this much better than the Summit .

chuck in ny · Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 1:51 pm Post subject:

is the summit a heavy horn?
there really has to be a reason to have a trumpet custom built what with some very nice merchandise available off the shelf. it isn't like last century when you wished you had a mt. vernon bach. we have,, many,, stunning choices out there.

TrentAustin · Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 1:19 pm Post subject:

Jeff it was a pleasure working with you and I am very happy you are part of our "Adams Family"!

Looking forward to hearing you on your horns soon.

Cheers,

T
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wee steve · Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 11:20 pm Post subject:

I think Chuck that having a custom horn for some of us is a once in a lefetime special purchase, that service, the option of saying can you change those waterkeys, can you move the pinky ring a little, seeing your horn being built,that special touch, choosing the finish, you just can't get that off the shelf, for me it's nothing to do with weight. It's knowing that the horn was built for you and to your choices.
If I wasn't happy with my horn (which I am incredibly happy) I'd be looking at Van Laar, Adams, Taylor etc... not Bach or Yamaha. The care and attention to detail with smaller companies has to be there or it's their pride and reputation.
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TrentAustin · Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:17 pm Post subject:

scipioap · Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:27 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all you and Miel do, Trent!

By coincidence, this came to me in a daydream today...Miel's next innovation:
the world's first "Super Recording Committee"! The handcraft mutation to
trump them all! (sorry about the verbage

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