Harrelson Trumpets

[JGulyas]

As you can see by my post count and join date, I am far from a newbie here, so for all the 'old salts' here, do you remember when Jason was first starting out building horns and his primary medium for selling them was on eBay?

I do, and I remember you would send your horn to him and he would modify it. I also remember his modifications looked like he just soldered a bunch of decorative metal pieces between the crooks, braces, and wherever else he saw fit. The finishes also looked like they were just spray painted. The FLAMES this guy would take were unbelievable; totally trashing his ideas and anything else people could think of to trash.

Fast forward to today, and I've seen his recent work, and it looks to be on par with Monette and Taylor. People are also making comments like, "Jason Harrelson makes incredible instruments ... Jason’s Horns are at the cutting edge of physics and manufacturing ... Beautiful craftsmanship."

I have no basis for comparison, as I've only played a Monette, and it was the first series of heavy horns from back in 1994/95 (STC, I think?), which is right around the time Jason started doing his mods.

Just goes to show that despite the negativity, he kept at it, got better at it, and look at him now.

Well done.
_________________
All the Best,

John

US Navy Bandsman 1996-2010 (Trumpet; Audio Engineer)
Mpc - Kanstul/Monette B6, Hammond Design custom "JG"
Bb - Yamaha 6335HGSII
C - Eastman ETR530
Picc - NoName Chinese

[LittleRusty]

I personally am happy to have people pushing the boundaries and trying new things with our instrument of choice.

I do not want to reignite the flame wars that Jason endured here in the past, and I hope others feel the same way.

That said some of the criticism was earned, and some should have been expected since new and significantly different ideas are often met that way. This is an unfortunate reaction society often has.

It is interesting that living in the San Francisco Bay Area I have only encountered one monette or harelson trumpet. It was a raw brass C and didn’t look different from other Cs.

[Brad361]

Same sentiments here regarding not having this go south with negative comments.

I’ve actually never seen or played one of Harrelson’s horns, I’ve heard very positive reviews from those who have.

Brad
_________________
When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval

[kevin_soda]

The ways he's committed to advancing the manufacturing of certain trumpet components is great. He does so many fine, unique, and artistic things.

He also blocked me on all his social media accounts because I stated, quite rightly, that he doesn't manufacture bells or valves. The quality of his artistry and creativity are unquestionable but he definitely escalates situations where he feels criticized.

I'm glad he's still at it and hope that he'll continue to push boundaries without pushing people away.
_________________
Kevin

[JGulyas]

Honestly, I could care less if he makes his own valves, etc., hell, even Monette didn’t make his own valves when he got started.

What matters to me is how the horn plays and sounds. If I like it, then that’s all that matters, regardless if it’s a Chinese C or an Indian piccolo.
_________________
All the Best,

John

US Navy Bandsman 1996-2010 (Trumpet; Audio Engineer)
Mpc - Kanstul/Monette B6, Hammond Design custom "JG"
Bb - Yamaha 6335HGSII
C - Eastman ETR530
Picc - NoName Chinese

[kevin_soda]

[JGulyas]

[cgaiii]

I have dealt with Jason on some small things and even for a tiny purchase (shims for his shim system for adjusting gap), I got excellent service and treatment, time taken to answer questions, nothing but pure class. The time and effort Jason has put into developing his horns, posting videos to help trumpet players understand fundamentals, etc. show me that he has a genuine interest in helping out. I have never played one of his trumpets, but I think he is a class act and wish him all the best. I hope his health holds out after the problems he has had.
_________________
Bb: Schilke X3L AS SP, Yamaha YTR-6335S
C: Schilke CXL, Kanstul 1510-2
Picc: Kanstul 920
Bb Bugle: Kanstul
Bb Pocket: Manchester Brass
Flugel: Taylor Standard
Bass Trumpet: BAC Custom
Natural Tr: Custom Haas replica by Nikolai Mänttäri Morales

[JetJaguar]

I enjoy his videos. He plays and comments trumpets from other makers. I've never seen another horn maker do that.
_________________
1938 Martin Handcraft Imperial #2 bore, 38 bell
Bach 7C mouthpiece

I'm looking for a Connstellation 5C-N or 5B-N mouthpiece
www.jazzscales.org
The Coady Strengthening Exercises: http://coady.coolwarm.com

[JonathanM]

[Dayton]

I've owned two of Jason's trumpets: A Summit 4/7 Bb and a Summit 1/1 Bb. Both were beautiful, well made, and very nice playing horns. I think he is onto something regarding efficiency.

[Brad361]

[saxophonist56]

ran into a trumpet player at the airport who plays for the orchestra and he said he plays a harrelson. ever since then i wanted one!

[blbaumgarn]

There will always be people criticizing something new and untried. Look back at people making brass instruments. The only way you have more than one sound, and one voice is for someone to push the envelope and try something. Gulyas is right. If it sounds right and it plays right and someone likes it, it passes the test. I have seen one Harrelson trumpet in my life and it was a work of art. I never got to play it but it was obviously the work of a craftsman's hand.
_________________
"There are two sides to a trumpeter's personality,
there is one that lives to lay waste to woodwinds and strings, leaving them lie blue and lifeless along a swath of destruction that is a
trumpeter's fury-then there is the dark side!" Irving Bush

[Jaw04]

[sounds7]

Jason has made 3 horns for me as a long time customer. I actually still have one of those early modified trumpets he started out business with in 2004. Then I have a lead and Jazz configuration on the other VPS machined crook type horns. Great instruments but now that I have torn a shoulder cuff and am in Physical Therapy, I am unable to hold them for any length of time. I think Harrelson's are either your cup of tea or they are not. What I might suggest is that it is worth the flight into Denver to try his instruments before you buy. No buyers remorse that way since you will get exactly what you are expecting by taking the time to dial in a Trumpet with so many possible variations. His is not a one size fits all offering so thats your best bet at getting a Trumpet you will love and cherish.

There are some horn makers and merchants that bare a grudge against Jason and his instruments. He has made some lofty claims about the superiority of his instruments and has rubbed some the wrong way. Monette had the same thing. You are a client though, not a competitor so try and compare and shut out the noise.
_________________
47 Martin Committee #3
Buescher lightweight 400 228
Buescher lightweight 400 217
Taylor/Harrelson/MAW
Warburton model 235
Stomvi Mambo #5
Conn constellation 38a cor.
Courtois 301 Orchestra C
Yamaha Custom 9830 pic
Yamaha 731 /Harrelson mod

[blbaumgarn]

Thanks for clarifying some things for me. I have read some of the criticism of Harrelson's horns in here and wondered where it came from. His horns must work because he is still in business. We all get into that mode of wanting blood on the street, and sometimes that is over something musical. I can' t figure that out.
_________________
"There are two sides to a trumpeter's personality,
there is one that lives to lay waste to woodwinds and strings, leaving them lie blue and lifeless along a swath of destruction that is a
trumpeter's fury-then there is the dark side!" Irving Bush