Supply issues, build quality covid/post-covid era?

[RandyTX]

I've been looking around and a lot of the more common high brass instruments are in really short supply, if not totally out of stock most places.

Given recent events, boats getting stuck in major waterways, not to mention shutdown/lockdown orders at places all over the globe, I'm wondering if anyone else is worried that even if you can find a horn you're interested in right now, is the quality going to be there, or will there be a stigma with horns made in the middle of this, sort of like 'strike horns' from certain brands in the past having a reputation for being 'lemons' and such?

I really want a new Bb, but just sort of nervous about doing it right now.
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"Music is like candy, you throw the (w)rappers away."

[austincustombrass]

[Goby]

I know of a few custom workshops that have longer-than-normal wait times due to COVID-related factors, but I don't see how this would effect the quality of production. If you're worried about a piccolo trumpet made in India getting stuck in the Suez Canal en route to your doorstep.... I don't think the shipping delay is the reason it will play poorly. The music industry is struggling right now, and I know for a fact that any trumpet shop would really appreciate your business now more than ever.

[trumpet_cop]

[LittleRusty]

[Ed Kennedy]

You are looking for a solution for a problem that doesn't exist. There are tons of quality instruments available from makers, dealers and private individuals. What exactly are you looking for in a Bb trumpet and what is your price range?

[blbaumgarn]

The quality of any horn one might purchase now probably has little or nothing to do with being in a global pandemic. Whether it is a health care individual or a builder of musical instruments people tend to deliver quality and take pride in doing that.
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"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

[jmock]

Well, I'm coming back after a couple years off during which I helped my older son make it to college baseball as a pitcher...

I can only share my experience: I bought a Kanstul 1500 Bb custom version off the marketplace (in February) and seem to have gotten a good deal indeed. I wanted a new Kanstul trumpet of a standard model that I could live with, and excepting a few horns on Ebay, etc. they do seem to be scarce now, since they closed the factory a couple years ago. One was listed here that allegedly had only 20 hours of playing time on it (but the slides were already tarnished, etc.). I took a chance and bought it for the $1635, and took it to A Minor Tune-up for ultrasonic cleaning. In his opinion, after disassembling and cleaning it (previous owned had managed to get lots of petroleum based gunk on it, and I use all synthetic lubricants which create much less gunk) was that indeed it IS a brand new horn. The valves in particular show basically no wear whatsoever--are not even broken in yet but in typical Kanstul fashion work extremely well.

I think it helps to know exactly what you are looking for.

From my model train hobby as someone who has worked in that industry, during any economic downturn, men tend to have more time on their hands, and can and do go out and buy that model train they've always wanted, or that trumpet they always wanted. It happened all the more with Covid. Now a year later the model train inventories have recovered, and there does seem to be plenty of good trumpets available to buy.

John
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Kanstul 1500
GR WB Classic mouthpiece

[LittleRusty]

[HaveTrumpetWillTravel]

I'd thought currency differences might make a difference. US dollar is lower now compared to currencies in east asia, so I could see that pushing up the cost of parts and instruments in the year ahead.

I also don't know how instrument costs are influenced by recessions. It seemed like at the start of Covid people were selling more of their collections, but it's quieted down now, and some folk who maybe would have traveled or who got money might now be putting it into their hobbies (similar to what John said).

[Aspeyrer]

There are several notable trumpet manufacturers that used this opportunity to clear senior employees in order to hire a fresh batch at lower pay. On the other hand, there were also quite a few workers that
took this opportunity to retire or even find their way into another profession. Your concerns of getting an inferior horn are valid. But, so are the manufacturers concerns with their reputation.

Another issue is that manufacturers often build instruments that have already been ordered (seems logical). Because many retailers were not sure of what was in store, they did not order their typical loads, if anything. That being said, some notable trumpet manufacturers have raised their prices just a smidge to seemingly make up for this shortage.

In summary; quality stuff is still being made. Be as discerning as one would be when shelling out thousands for any instrument.