Edwards

As everyone in the world knows spam is assaulting us every time we turn on our computers. Spambots are now submitting Edwards submission forms, which is causing problems with our spam filter. The problem is the filter sometimes tags your real submission as spam.

If you do not hear back from us within 2-3 weeks, please re-submit your question. Realize that we are not ignoring you, but that your email was caught by our ever increasing-in-strength spam filter.

The price of brass has skyrocketed in the past two years. As a result, Edwards trombone prices will increase on January 1, 2006. Orders received before January 1 will be billed at the current rate, regardless of delivery date.

Speaking of delivery, our trombones are shipping 12 – 15 weeks after the order is placed. Trumpet players have less time to wait. Trumpet orders with bells that are in stock are only taking 2 – 3 weeks to ship. If the bell isn’t in stock, fulfillment can take up to 8 – 12 weeks. In addition, gold plating will add 2 – 3 weeks to delivery.

We are working hard to improve our production time for 2006 and beyond as improvements to the factory are showing promise. I’ll post an entry in the near future about these improvements.

This is my first ever blog post! I’m looking forward to letting readers have a peek into our lives here in Elkhorn.

I’ve been working with a quite a few trumpet players in the Pro Stop lately. I’ve had many conversations with them concerning equipment options and how these options can best meet their needs. I see the need to draw a strong analogy (those who know me know that I like analogies).

Imagine that your vision has deteriorated to the point that you need eyeglasses. You go to you local drugstore and try out the ones in their display. Out of the many available, you find that just a few improve your vision. You decide to take a pair home to read some newspapers, read some blogs, and watch a little TV. Suddenly everything is clearer than it was before, although still not perfect.

A while later, a friend who also wears glasses comes over to read with you — I know, a funny concept! She proceeds to tell you how great her glasses are and has you try them on. Instead of improving your vision, you can see less than ever before.

You eventually decide to visit an optometrist. The result? Your new glasses are the exact prescription your eyes need. Finally, your vision is crystal clear. Once again, your friend stops by to read. This time she tries your new glasses, which obviously do nothing to improve her vision.

There are many excellent trumpets available today, both display and custom. If display instruments do not fit you correctly, maybe it’s time to look into something different. Edwards is like an optometrist. We build our horns around you, prescribing a fit for your chops, air, and mind. As your “prescription” changes over time, so can your horn. That’s what Edwards offers: a solid trumpet that matches you perfectly, but that can change with you as your playing evolves.

I just got off of the phone with a trombonist who had a stuck leadpipe. Since I’ve answered this question numerous times on the phone and in emails, I thought, “why not post this info in our new blog?”

The first step is to use your mouthpiece to get the leadpipe un-stuck. For many, this will be the end of the dilemma. However, it is possible to get the mouthpiece stuck in the leadpipe. If this happens, gently tap the leadpipe nut knurling away from the mouthpiece with a Delrin or Rawhide hammer. Hold the mouthpiece and leadpipe in your left hand so that when the pipe comes free it won’t fall to the ground. You will need to tap the leadpipe gently while rotating the mouthpiece/leadpipe in your left hand. It might take a few minutes, but the mouthpiece will always break free from the leadpipe.

For those really stuck leadpipes:

Take a set of adjustable pliers and wrap either cloth or tape around the jaws. This will prevent them from scoring the leadpipe or instrument. Hold only the slide and grip the leadpipe nut knurling with the covered jaws of the pliers. Turn firmly to the left and then remove the leadpipe.

Once the leadpipe is removed take a small amount of tuning slide grease and apply it to the leadpipe end and threads. This will help keep the pipe free from corrosion. If your leadpipe is perpetually stuck, consider purchasing a small rubber “o-ring” from a hardware store. Put the ring on the leadpipe just below the nut. This will definitely prevent the leadpipe from ever getting stuck again.