This diagram reperesents three stock shapes for Osmun horn mouthpieces. The shaded area is our standard blank. Then green lines show our #2 blank. It adds about twenty percent more mass to the standard blank and has a little more core and stability at the expense (we think) of tone color.  The red lines outline our heavy blank, which is fifty percent heavier that the standard one.  It is extremely stable and focused but the extra weight makes it more fatiguing to play, especially in the upper register. The heavy blank can also be supplied with ribs, which lessens the weight and increases the surface area.

In years past Schmid horns had a problem with stop arms breaking (usually at the most inopportune time). This was never an issue for most owners but it happened often enough to be a concern.  The problem was in the design of the stop arm. The arms broke at the point where the shaft meets the body. The sharp corner provided a natural breaking point and focused all the stress in the stop arm at one point. ( Fig. 1)

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Schmid corrected this problem by redesigning the arm so the shaft had a fillet at the point where it joins the body of the arm. (Fig. 2) This little bit of extra metal absorbs the stress from the shaft and distributes it over a much wider area. The result is a much stronger and less failure prone part.

Here at Osmun we’re pants and suspenders guys. We figured we could make this part even stronger by replacing the original plated brass screws with 8mm long stainless steel screws. (Fig. 3)

Fig. 3

These screws extend the full length of the stop arm shaft (the screws are shown 1mm extended to alow for the thickness of the string) and replace an empty threaded hole with a solid stainless shaft that is very unlikely to break, ever. We also have 5mm screws available. They’re not the total solution the 8mm screw are but they can be installed without re-tapping the stop arms.  Since we instituted this practice we’ve had no broken stop arm problems.

Schmid stop arms and screws are available at in the Parts section at osmun.com.

One new product we’re excited about is Denis Wick valve oil. I’m not a guy who usually gets worked up about valve oil, but this stuff is different. It makes an immediate and dramatic improvement in almost any valve action (including horns) ans it’s very long-lasting.  Give it a try.

We also have a new Valve Casing Weight for Schmid horns.  Adding a little weight to the valve cluster can make the horn a little more focused and aid projection.  Our weights weigh 50 grams and can be used singly or in combination.

Speaking of Schmids, we have a Schmid double in yellow brass and an absolutely lovely eb-alto triple in nickel silver, with hand hammered bell flare and garland available.  It’s rare that we actually have instruments on hand for trial so, if you’ve been thinking about a Schmid, now’s the time to come in for a test drive.

Next week will be posting some more new products and services and in the coming months we’ll be expanding our mouthpiece information section.  Let us know what you’d like to see.

Happy Thanksgiving from the whole Osmun crew!

*Private teachers LOVE Osmun gift certificates.

Call 781-646-5756 and we’ll send out the certificates in the same day or order them at osmun.com.

Sorry about the audio delay. There’s something wrong with the YouTube uploads this week.

For more about the Osmun Flight Case

For more about the Osmun Flight Case Suitcase Style

Or call us at 781-646-5756.

One of the reasons that people rely on Osmun Music is because we understand “Mouthpiece Limbo” and how it can affect any brass player. If you are having problems with your mouthpiece(s) or are looking to improve your current set-up, please feel free to contact us. Our ever-growing experience with student, amateur, and pro musicians makes us a great resource for pointing you in the right direction.

Email us regarding any of the products in the video.

Check out the Osmun Horn Mouthpieces.