tm_webmaster

Brett - How did the last test plating go? Still anxious to get my horn back... It's been over 6 months now...

stradguy

i have getzen trumpet but the brass is tarnishing under the clear coat it weird because its brand new and has only one scratch on the bell. but its a nice horn

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Conn Vocabell 40A
1938 King Liberty
King Super 20
Weird really old Joseph Brunn Flugel Horn

Dan Millheim

Brett, FYI: A man/company needs to know his/their limitations... The answer is not "good" but EXCELLENT gold plating, great QC and at a cost point that makes sense to your bottom line.

You make excellent instruments, it is not a failure to outsource production needs that are not worth your time or expense and can be handled by others who specialize in this area.

FYI: I contacted one of your larger reps to inquire about another Getzen trumpet. I gave no indication of my plating issues and asked if I could get the horn in gold? There comment was "NO!" They went on to tell me that you had a two year back log for gold custom level instruments and that Getzen had too many issues with their bead blast finish for his company to recommend. The "two year" back log sounded far fetched and perhaps he was only trying to push me toward Getzen product he had in stock, but regardless, your company does not need this headache. Outsource!

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Eclipse Custom XLR (Beyond beautiful 24k scratch) gold (05 Eclipse Contest Horn)
Getzen Genesis (Beautiful 24k scratch gold)
Wiseman Double Case (10% discount code: T624)
Monette/Harrelson B1-1 prana custom one off.
Horns/MPC Cryo'ed at Cryo-parts.com

Brett Getzen

Outsourcing is why we are at this point. The firm we were using was not only damaging instruments and claiming they received them that way, but they were also not plating the horns correctly. Rather than the 75 micro inches we were paying for, we got 5. When this caused the brown spots to appear, they told us it was our fault and that they would no longer warranty the work. We couldn't afford to keep paying them for basically costing us money.

Brett Getzen

GordonH

This is EXACTLY the problem I have had with many gold plated mouthpieces and instruments or instrument trim (not Getzens). I have been through all the possible causes including fungus, chemical vapour and drying marks. Finally I know what it is!

Its odd that it affects some items and not others. My Monette cornet mouthpiece is starting to suffer from it but none of my other mouthpieces do even the other one kept in the same case so it could not be moisture. Maybe it has less gold plating on it?

If anyone in the UK needs gold plating done Denis Wedgwood does it in Cardiff to a very high standard.

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"O trumpeter, methinks I am myself the instrument thou playest,
Thou melt'st my heart, my brain--thou movest, drawest, changest
them at will;" (Walt Whitman)

Brett Getzen

From what our current plating supplier told me, the problem is from gold that is too thin. Gold reflects the luster underneath. Because of that, musical products are silver plated and then gold plated over that. A thin layer of gold allows silver to actually migrate through the gold layer and discolor as it goes. Anyone with a Getzen that has had this problem can tell you it's ugly. The spots are dark brown in color and can appear anywhere on the surface. It doesn't do anything but make the horn ugly, but it's a problem considering the cost paid for gold.

I know I have said this before, but we are very close to being ready for production on the gold. There have been a lot of bumps in the road and I want to make double sure that things are right before we release anything into the market. I'm sure it is frustrating to all of you that are waiting, but I want to be certain that your wait was worth it. While the delays are a pain, I would hate to send you repaired horns that just had to come back to us in a few months because we screwed something up. I greatly appreciate your understanding and patience with us on this.

As for the beaded gold horns being so far out, it's true. However things aren't quite that bad. The main problem there is me. I am the one that handles the beading finish and I insist on them being 100% before they leave my hands. If I'm not happy with something I won't ok the horn. As you can guess, this doesn't make me all that popular with people. I guess all I can say is that's life. If I'm not happy with one of our horns I will not let it go through. If you are waiting, rest assured it will be to the highest level when you get it.

Thanks again for understanding and tolerating our hold ups.

Brett Getzen

Thermos

Its so refreshing when you find the few manufacturers-- of anything, not just trumpets-- that is this dedicated to their quality.

Tootsall

"Ditto that", Thermos. It's always easier (and cheaper in the long run) to stop "rumours of poor quality" before they leave the factory door than to hide them after they're in the customers' hands. Too bad more manufacturers don't have the same attitude.

Dan Millheim

Thanks Brett for the update. I once was told (over and over), "it will be worth the wait" from Leigh McKinney when he was building my custom XLR.

Well, it was SO worth the wait, and I am sure the same will apply to getting my Getzen Genesis replated. I love your horn and look forward to getting the gold problem resolved soon. So in the mean time...

it will be worth the wait, it will be worth the wait, it will be worth the wait...

__________________
Eclipse Custom XLR (Beyond beautiful 24k scratch) gold (05 Eclipse Contest Horn)
Getzen Genesis (Beautiful 24k scratch gold)
Wiseman Double Case (10% discount code: T624)
Monette/Harrelson B1-1 prana custom one off.
Horns/MPC Cryo'ed at Cryo-parts.com

Brett Getzen

I hope that it will be worth the wait.

And you better believe I care about the quality. Remember, my name is on every one of these things. While Mr. Bach is gone and there never was a Mr. Yamaha (was there?) there are three Mr. Getzens here and that means something to us.

Brett Getzen