Trumpet Finish Options

Edwards offers a number of trumpet 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.

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.

Gold Plated Satin Finish
Combining Satin finish with gold plate creates a stunning combination. It is achieved by scratch brushing the instrument and then gold plating the trumpet. The end result is a uniform semi-matte finish. The gold plating allows for a very natural feel and adds a richness to the sound. Each Satin-finished instrument will have its own unique look as Edwards technicians have artistic control over the process.