Trombone Finishes
Edwards offers a number of trombone finishes in order to meet the needs of our customers. These finishes create a variety of looks, but more importantly, each has unique playing charactersistics.
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Raw Brass
A raw brass-finished horn can provide a player with a very warm, natural sound. Like silver and gold plate, this finish is sometimes described as creating a "wide" sound. If an individual wants tighter partials, then a raw brass horn is not recommended.
Perhaps the biggest drawback of owning a raw brass instrument is the fact that it will tarnish very rapidly; therefore, it requires constant vigilence to maintain. Raw brass instruments and components are available upon request, but restocking/relacquering fees do apply.
Lacquer
A majority of Edwards trombones are shipped with a clear epoxy lacquer. A lacquered instrument will maintain its clean appearance while protecting against minor scratches and other everyday wear and tear. Lacquer is sprayed onto the instrument after it is buffed and degreased. People with high acidity levels should use leather wraps and wash their hands before playing to preserve the lacquer.
Some players find that lacquer can dampen the sound when compared to raw brass. Others describe a lacquered horn as more focused. Regardless, if a player is fit to an Edwards instrument, desired overtones can be found in any of our finishes.
Silver Plate
Silver plate is thinner than lacquer and thus will not dampen the resonance of the horn as much as lacquer. However, a silver plated horn will tarnish over time. More maintenance is required than that of a horn with lacquer or gold plate. Silver is a great alternative for the player that wants his/her instrument to play like a raw brass instrument but does not want the extreme tarnish associated with an unfinished horn.
Silver plating a trombone adds 30% to the price due to the size of the instrument. All trombones done in silver plate are special order non-returnable items. Silver plate is standard on most Edwards trumpets.
Gold Plate
Gold plate provides the player with the comfort of silver without silver's maintenance issues. An individual with a high acidity level should consider gold plate as this is our most durable finish.
A gold plated instrument is first silver plated. With the silver plate base and gold plate finish, most players will notice a darker sound than if an instrument was simply silver plated. An instrument with this finish will take longer to deliver as all gold plating is done at Anderson Plating. Pricing is dependent upon the current gold market price. Any instrument or component completed in gold plate is a special order non-returnable item.
Satin Finish
"Satin" is the latest finish option offered by Edwards. It is achieved by scratch brushing the instrument. The end result is a uniform semi-matte finish. Each Satin-finished instrument will have its own unique look as Edwards technicians have artistic control over the process.
Some players feel that a Satin finish creates a wider sound than lacquered or plated instruments. At this point, we have not done enough research to come to any conclusions ourselves.
Feel like a Test Drive?
Visit the Edwards Pro Stop and work one-one-one with Christan or Michael.
Contact us to set up an appointment.
In Their Own Words
"I choose to play Edwards for the even control throughout the horn's entire range. Just as we as musicians are constantly evolving, so too are the Edwards trombone designs. Case in point- my old Edwards valve (which had never given me ANY problems) began showing signs of old age, so I took a look at a new one. I couldn't believe how much more free-blowing and smooth it was!
"When playing in a section of Edwards instruments, blend is immediate and the sound is gorgeous. Much of the work in section playing is removed by the nature of the full, round sounds of the Edwards trombones.
"Additionally, I would recommend playing Edwards trombones for any audition that should come up. The reason is simple- I want to eliminate as many possible hindrances (intonation difficulties, uneven sound) and concentrate on playing each round. The Edwards design leaves you free to promote your music!"
Brian Diehl
Second Trombonist, Springfield (MA) Symphony
Professor, University of Southern Maine