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Retlaw
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Nov 2006
Posts: 3263
Location: UK
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 Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:40 am Post subject: |
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Hub Van Laar ( Great communication....horn built on time....to budget and exceeded my HIGH EXPECTATIONS for service, build quality and playability...)
Dr. Valve ( A busy man but.....his work is faultless...I now have the best valves in the world on my Recording, 34 Selmer Balanced and the restoration on my LB Martin Committee has given the well used [20+ years in a big band played by a guy who had little... to no sweat/acid on his hands...  ] a new lease of life.)
Spencer Trumpets UK ( Reliable service, knowledge and a real nice guy.... I will do more with him)
Walter |
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Bruin
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 21 Mar 2008
Posts: 1346
Location: L.A. area
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| Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:51 am Post subject: |
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Kanstul (Jack & Zig, Charles Hargett)
Getzen (Brett)
Flip Oakes
Curry mouthpieces (Mark Curry)
Ultra-Pure Oils (Ken Saul)
Canadian Brass (for Berp Bio Oil)
Chuck Levin's Washington Music (Roger Keiper)
Kessler Music (David Kessler)
Ferguson Music (La Crescenta, CA)
_________________
'64 Conn Connstellation 38B
Jupiter 846S flugelhorn
CarolBrass Mini Pocket Trumpet
Schilke 17& 17D4d4 trumpet mpcs
Schilke 17F flugelhorn mpc |
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eagle362
Veteran Member
Joined: 02 Mar 2004
Posts: 332
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 8:23 am Post subject: |
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Heres a new one;
Mark Metzler, Metzler Brass in Elkhart Indiana.
Great repair work, as good as Charlie melk, but especially fantastic on anything CONN...................HIGHLY recommended
_________________
Harrelson SUMMIT 4/7
Eclipse MS / Callet SC3s
Eclipse Equinox
Kanstul 1530 / Wick 4.5, 5B, and Sparx (GR) 4B soloist
Eclipse Flug / Trent Austin M5 mpc
reynolds Contempora
Conn 80A |
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tom turner
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 11 Nov 2001
Posts: 6648
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 8:24 am Post subject: |
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THE MOTHER OF ALL GREAT SERVICE . . .
I bought a slightly used Wild Thing back in early 2001, my first dealing with that brand.
HOWEVER, the previous owner had swapped out Flip's precision valve alignment stuff with common old felt!!! Flip has always shimmed each valve totally differently, so that the valves are in perfect alignment +/- .002;"
Although I DIDN'T buy the horn from Flip, he was gracious in his time answering my questions and my concerns about the wrong alignment materials.
THIS BLEW ME AWAY . . .
Flip then volunteered: "Tom, my name is on each instrument that I make and enhance and I want that horn RIGHT. So, send it to me and I'll do a complete new valve alignment on your horn at no charge so it will play its best"
WOW . . .
FAST FORWARD EIGHT YEARS . . .
I now have both Bb trumpet models Flip makes, plus the flugle, the short cornet AND the C trumpet.
Each is an amazing player . . . and all perfected by an amazing man of integrity and caring.
Thanks, Flip!!!
T. |
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pastbrass
Veteran Member
Joined: 12 Nov 2001
Posts: 255
Location: Acton, MA
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| Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:43 am Post subject: |
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S. E. Shires!
Scott |
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Dan O'Donnell
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 01 Jan 2005
Posts: 2287
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| Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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Here is my vote...
GETZEN
What other company offers to fix a plating problem on their customer's (me) horn (Gold Beadblasted Getzen Genesis) that was not created by them but instead by an off-site plating supplier at NO CHARGE to me...
While attempting to rework the horn they accidentally damage the horn...
Calls and sends E-Mails conveying their sincere apologies...
Builds (4) more exact horns and has them play tested by a professional player...
Provides the customer with a round trip plane ticket from California to their manufacturing facility, a rental car from a top rental car agency for (3) days, (2) nights at a local Hotel, meals etc....
The owner (Mr. Tom Getzen) meets the customer upon arrival at the manufacturing facility to apologize for the problem with the horn and reassures the customer that they have taken all of the actions necessary to create a horn just as good if not better than their original Genesis...
The owner's son (Brett Getzen) then takes the customer on a tour of their manufacturing facility (where the customer is introduced to several employees who also apologize for the problem) and Edward's then gives the customer FULL access to all manufacturing processes while talking with any of their employees with or without an escort based on the customer's choosing for (2) days...
Offers them to play test (4) brand new Gold Beadblasted Getzen Genesis horns while using electric intonation equipment and pick out their favorite...
(Note: If anyone out there received one of the other (3) horns...CONGRATULATIONS...they also sounded and played GREAT!)
Offers the customer to work with their top Design Engineer in order to play test several leadpipes and pick out the best leadpipe for them...
Offers the customer heavy Gold plated valve Top Buttons and Bottom Caps...
Ships the horn to Bob Reeves for a Precision Valve Alignment who Getzen also pre-pays shipping charges to ship the horn directly to the customer when they have completed the PVA ...
The customer receives it at his home with an additional leadpipe and Rick Braun's new poster of him playing his Genesis.
and...ALL of the above at NO COST to the customer!!! 
I can almost be 100% confident that other horn manufacturers don't treat their professional players (let alone just an amateur Trumpet player as myself) as well as Getzen treated me! 
_________________
God Bless,
Dan O'Donnell
"Praise Him with the sound of the Trumpet:..."
Psalms 150:3 |
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Scorpion
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 29 Sep 2007
Posts: 1960
Location: hell
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| Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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Mark Curry
Dick Akright
Roy Lawler
Jerry "the king" Lawler
Andre the Giant
Princess Buttercup
Sean Penn
the devil
_________________
-GET OVER HERE!
-1964 Olds Super Balanced Depleted Uranium single flue Harpoon (w/custom coprion hand guard i got from a 1925 Conn Erradicator.) Akright converted handle w/calfskin grip (143xx) |
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johntpt
'Chicago School' Forum Moderator
Joined: 07 Feb 2002
Posts: 2284
Location: Toluca, Mexico
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| Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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Many of my favorites have already been listed - Charlie Melk, Schilke, Mark Curry, Karl Hammond, Mike Thompson. I'll add two that I haven't seen yet.
Melk Music in Milwaukee (not the same company as Charlie's Brass Works, although they are from the same family and are only a few blocks apart) is a small town family owned and operated music store with great customer service and a surprisingly large stock of Bach and Schilke trumpets. Their website actually tells you which models are in stock, unlike most other stores. Last time I was there they had 7 or 8 Bach C's (Philly's & Chicago's & 229 25H's) a Bach Eb, a Schilke E3L and B1, and several Schilke piccs, all at about the best prices out there.
http://www.melkmusic.com/instruments/trumpetsBach.asp
Also I recommend Barry Bauguess who operates The Baroque Trumpet Shop. Besides dealing in the historical stuff he also sells Schilke trumpets and mouthpieces and often has hard to find things in stock. Nice guy and fast service, even on special orders. His website has great photos of many types of historical trumpets.
http://www.baroquetrumpet.com/
JU |
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holeypants
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 22 Apr 2006
Posts: 996
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| Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Dan O'Donnell wrote: | Here is my vote...
GETZEN
What other company offers to fix a plating problem on their customer's (me) horn (Gold Beadblasted Getzen Genesis) that was not created by them but instead by an off-site plating supplier at NO CHARGE to me...
While attempting to rework the horn they accidentally damage the horn...
Calls and sends E-Mails conveying their sincere apologies...
Builds (4) more exact horns and has them play tested by a professional player...
Provides the customer with a round trip plane ticket from California to their manufacturing facility, a rental car from a top rental car agency for (3) days, (2) nights at a local Hotel, meals etc....
The owner (Mr. Tom Getzen) meets the customer upon arrival at the manufacturing facility to apologize for the problem with the horn and reassures the customer that they have taken all of the actions necessary to create a horn just as good if not better than their original Genesis...
The owner's son (Brett Getzen) then takes the customer on a tour of their manufacturing facility (where the customer is introduced to several employees who also apologize for the problem) and Edward's then gives the customer FULL access to all manufacturing processes while talking with any of their employees with or without an escort based on the customer's choosing for (2) days...
Offers them to play test (4) brand new Gold Beadblasted Getzen Genesis horns while using electric intonation equipment and pick out their favorite...
(Note: If anyone out there received one of the other (3) horns...CONGRATULATIONS...they also sounded and played GREAT!)
Offers the customer to work with their top Design Engineer in order to play test several leadpipes and pick out the best leadpipe for them...
Offers the customer heavy Gold plated valve Top Buttons and Bottom Caps...
Ships the horn to Bob Reeves for a Precision Valve Alignment who Getzen also pre-pays shipping charges to ship the horn directly to the customer when they have completed the PVA ...
The customer receives it at his home with an additional leadpipe and Rick Braun's new poster of him playing his Genesis.
and...ALL of the above at NO COST to the customer!!!
I can almost be 100% confident that other horn manufacturers don't treat their professional players (let alone just an amateur Trumpet player as myself) as well as Getzen treated me! |
Wow. That is pretty damn impressive.
_________________
Jonathan Vieker
The Lip Rip Blues
My ongoing recovery from a torn lip muscle, updated regularly! |
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stumac
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 19 Nov 2008
Posts: 697
Location: Flinders, Australia
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| Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 12:30 am Post subject: |
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ECLIPSE,
In London for four days before flying back to Australia, contacted Leigh just back from summer holidays had no stock, worked day and night to get three horns ready for me to try, picked me up at station and drove me to factory, played all three with various leadpipes for a couple of hours and made my choice, discussed options and finishes and placed an order.
Leigh drove me back to station for train back to London, flew out next morning, horn arrived safely four weeks later.
Stuart Eclipse MS Gold |
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steevo
Veteran Member
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Posts: 454
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| Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:02 am Post subject: |
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Here is my incomplete list of companies I have had a grade A experience with, in no particular order:
Osmun Music
Dillon Music
Thompson Music
Pickett Brass
Kanstul
Schilke
Monette
Getzen
Stork
As I thought about this list, it is interesting that (with the exception of Monette) there isn't a single local company listed. I wish I could put my local music stores on the list, but my experience with any of them has been much less than the above mentioned companies. |
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giakara
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2003
Posts: 3832
Location: Greece
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| Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:55 am Post subject: |
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| 2ndchair wrote: | Based on 30 plus years in the trade as a repair tech and in no particular order:
Bob Reeves. Great mouthpieces, great advice and the dryest wit in Hollywood. He knows more about what makes a horn tick than anybody I know and is a mine of useful info.
Roy Lawler. I've owned several of his horns and still have two I really like. All super nice build quality and great players. More than that Roy is absolutely committed to customer satisfaction and will go far out of his way to make sure you're happy with his instruments.
Getzen. The best of the best in mass produced horns. Really nice people who really care about their company. Easy to get parts from, easy to work with and consistently good product.
Kanstul. These guys can build just about anything and their horns (regardless of the brand name stamped on the bell) are well made, play good and hold up like tanks. Easy to get parts and great advice on repair issues as well.
Schilke. I have owned many Schilke instruments over the years and can't find a bad one. That's saying something in this era of quality control issues and outsourced labor. I was not too worried when they changed hands since the buyers also have a good reputation and the horns coming out now are if anything better than ever. Lots of help when specialized problems come up.
There are a lot of really good people in our world. These are the ones that came to mind immediately and I'll probably add to the list as time passes. |
I total agree.
Regards
_________________
Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2015
Lawler TL6-1A Bb 2004
Lawler TL5-1A Bb 2003
Getzen eterna 910 C
Getzen eterna 850 cornet
Selmer Paris 3 valve picc
Yamaha 731 flugel
Carol mini pocket
Reeves/Purviance mpcs |
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cjl
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Posts: 2421
Location: TN
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| Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:05 am Post subject: |
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| tptptp wrote: | | Clifford Blackburn and staff can't be beat. |
+1
I went to the Blackburn table at the '88 ITG conference at NTSU looking for a leadpipe for a Selmer picc. There were two to choose from. After trying them a bit I said that I couldn't decide which was better. They said to pay for one, take them both, and mail the one that you don't want back to us. I was surprised at the time that anyone would be so trusting, but now I know why - they are great, Christian folk who live what they believe.
-- Joe |
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mpo
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Apr 2008
Posts: 577
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| Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:45 am Post subject: |
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| Dan O'Donnell wrote: | Here is my vote...
GETZEN
What other company offers to fix a plating problem on their customer's (me) horn (Gold Beadblasted Getzen Genesis) that was not created by them but instead by an off-site plating supplier at NO CHARGE to me...
While attempting to rework the horn they accidentally damage the horn...
|
Interesting.... I have a friend who had the same horn and the same issues. It ends up they "damaged" the horn as well and had the horn for upwards of 6-8 months just to apply the finish. There were lots of emails exchanged, promised and then missed completion dates, and many different excuses. Makes you wonder doesn't it? |
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Hack001
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 20 Jun 2004
Posts: 1685
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| Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:13 am Post subject: |
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| mpo wrote: | | Dan O'Donnell wrote: | Here is my vote...
GETZEN
What other company offers to fix a plating problem on their customer's (me) horn (Gold Beadblasted Getzen Genesis) that was not created by them but instead by an off-site plating supplier at NO CHARGE to me...
While attempting to rework the horn they accidentally damage the horn...
|
Interesting.... I have a friend who had the same horn and the same issues. It ends up they "damaged" the horn as well and had the horn for upwards of 6-8 months just to apply the finish. There were lots of emails exchanged, promised and then missed completion dates, and many different excuses. Makes you wonder doesn't it? |
Not bad, three pages until the first sour post. Thanks for that. I mean I guess it does make me wonder... wonder what you're implying... especially because they did it FOR FREE... |
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EBjazz
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 14 Nov 2001
Posts: 2368
Location: SF Bay Area
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mpo
Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Apr 2008
Posts: 577
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| Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:15 am Post subject: |
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| Hack001 wrote: |
Not bad, three pages until the first sour post. Thanks for that. I mean I guess it does make me wonder... wonder what you're implying... especially because they did it FOR FREE... |
Just pointing out a different experience. I am sure someone has had an issue with every single retailer that was listed on the prior 2 pages. There is no need to get your panties in a ruffle. Nor would I consider my post sour, I am deeply sorry if I offended you.  Of course they did the work for free, that is part of their "Platinum Warranty."
Personally I have had great experiences with:
Mark Curry
ProWinds
Charlie Melk
Torpedo Bags
Raw Brass
Wayne T and Yamaha Artist Services |
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