December 12, 2008
Back in October, in response to the economic crisis, we stopped publishing an Engelbert Schmid price list. The dollar was (and is) rising and falling in value so rapidly and unpredictably that any printed price list was obsolete as soon as it was published.
At that time we capped the price a buyer would pay for a horn to prevent unpleasant surprises. Now, we’ve established a new policy: If you pre-pay a horn and the price falls 3% or more by the time we actually have the funds to pay Schmid (which can take up to two weeks from the time we get the check) we will refund the difference to you. See our Purchasing Procedures page for details.
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Posted by Bob Osmun
December 11, 2008
Douglas Yeo
Boston Symphony bass trombonist Douglas Yeo is one of our favorite customers. When he’s not working with the orchestra or maintaining his gigantic web site (yeodoug.com), he’s a devotee of early brass, specifically serpents and ophcleides. Ohecleides are like the bass version of keyed bugles, sort of like a saxophone with a cup mouthpiece. Berlioz wrote a lot of ophecleide parts, including a comic duet for ophecleide and bass drum in Benvenuto Cellini.
Original on the left, our wider copy on the right.
Recently, Doug asked us to build him a special mouthpiece for his ophecleide. He had gotten one he liked from an Australian maker but it was too small for him. We copied it and then enlarged the dimensions to Doug’s standard 28mm inside diameter. The outside of the piece had to be modified as well to accommodate the wider cup. It’s important to maintain the wall thickness so, after redesigning the cup, we carried the same contour to the outside.
Copying a complex outside shape can be a challenge. It’s possible to make a cast and digitize the outside the same way we do the cup and rim but unless there is a need for absolute accuracy it’s usually more satisfactory to do it the old-fashioned way, by measuring and making a drawing. (Of course, once the drawing is made it’s converted to a computer file so the CNC lathe can cut it.) In this case the fact that we were making major changes to the contours made drawing the obvious choice.
This picture clearly shows the difference in diameter between the original and the copy.
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Posted by Bob Osmun
December 10, 2008
When you deal with small vendors and esoteric items as we do it’s common for things to go in and out of stock frequently. We’ve recently received mechandise from two of our smaller makers.
Don Maslet horn mutes from England are among the best straight mutes available. They have a warm, open sound and excellent intonation.
Our ever popular Horn Holding Straps keep your hand in the correct position over your valve levers. And, they don’t require to solder anything onto your horn.
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Posted by Bob Osmun
December 9, 2008
We have Bach Bb and C trumpets and 36BO and 42BO trombones in stock and ready to ship. All our trumpets are checked over and adjusted by trumpet guru Jim Becker before leaving our shop. Our checkover includes:
- Valve action and alignment
- First and third valve slides, fit and action
- All tubing is inspected for burrs, solder lumps, and other obstructions
- Mouthpipe venturi and mouthpiece gap are adjusted
Trombones get the same inspection and slide checks plus adjustment of rotor action and end play and replacement of the rotor stops.
These pre-flight checks help insure a top performing and trouble free instrument.
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Posted by Bob Osmun
December 7, 2008
Click for a larger image
We have a brand new gold brass Engelbert Schmid triple horn in f-alto in stock. This horn is unlacquered, has a wide hand-hammered bell flare, and an adjustable hand rest and pinky ring.
The new, higher value of the dollar makes this instrument thousands of dollars less expensive than it would have been just a few months ago. Follow this link for more information about Engelbert Schmid horns.
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Posted by Bob Osmun
October 31, 2008
For the past year we’ve been dismayed as the value of the dollar has steadily eroded, driving the cost of foreign-made goods, like Engelbert Schmid horns, out of sight. At the dollar’s low point a Schmid double horn with lacquer and waterkeys cost over $12,000!
Then, in September, the economy collapsed. Paradoxically, as the stock market falls the value of the dollar tends to rise. (In times of uncertainty the US dollar is still the strongest, safest currency in the world.) This has presented Schmid horn buyers with an opportunity.
We have completely revamped our Schmid horn sales. Instead of publishing a price list we will now quote every horn (and bell) according to the daily exchange rate. This will allow us to offer the lowest possible prices on these instruments. Customers will have the choice of prepaying and locking in the rate or pay a deposit and paying the balance at the rate available when the instrument is completed.
An example: a typical double horn, yellow brass, lacquered, with two water keys, that sold for $12,170 in February would sell today for $9000, a savings of $3170. For more details see our Custom Horn Purchasing page.
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Posted by Bob Osmun
September 17, 2008
We’ve just recieved a new CD from one of our favorites, Aaron Brask. In “The Guaraldi Sessions” Aaron explores the music of Hollywood legend Vince Guaraldi and gives it his own spin, featuring his signature overdubbing and an expanded ensemble. Check it out.
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Posted by Bob Osmun
September 17, 2008
Using the Buzz-Aid to test a mouthpipe.
We’ve just finished a run of our exclusive Buzz-Aids. These gadgets hold your mouthpiece in the proper playing position for buzzing exercizes. Unlike the plastic ones these solid brass models don’t break, ever. Plus they are very stable, no slipping, no bending.
Our Buzz-Aids are also ideal for trying new mouthpipes. They require no soldering and hold pipe and mouthpiece rigidly but without tension.
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Posted by Bob Osmun
September 12, 2008
The new Pro Tec iPac case provides lightweight protection for your horn
Osmun Music is very excited about the new iPac Screwbell Horn Case from ProTec. This is one of the most protective and versatile cases that we have seen. These cases are made with a rugged cordura cover and a heavy-duty zipper to handle the stresses of everyday use. It does come with a shoulder strap and you can purchase ProTec backpack straps to use on this case. This is a great case for the hornist who does not need a flight case, but wants a well built case at a decent price.
Come check out the iPac here.
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Posted by tcote
September 10, 2008
One of the fastest growing products we produce are the Osmun Piccolo Trumpet Leadpipes. Osmun repair tech Jim Becker has made many beneficial advances in these leadpipes to make your piccolo trumpet not only more stable, but more even in pitch. Osmun Music makes leadpipes for most piccolo trumpets on the market in both Bb and A. We can also silver, lacquer, or gold plate to match your particular horn.
Click here to see our list of Osmun Piccolo Leadpipes.
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Posted by tcote
