Dan Millheim

Hello Everyone,

I had an odd "sitch-e-ation" this week. I pulled my much beloved Getzen Genesis out of my case and noticed the beautiful bead blast finish was spotted all over the inside and outside of the bell. Really weird since I play it daily (well sort of) and all of a sudden it gets this problem? I tired cleaning it with mild soap and water and could not remove the blemishes.

So, I call Getzen not knowing how they would handle my concern and was pleasantly surprized to recieve wonderful customer service...I mean world class! Two different associates called me and I even was contacted by Brett Getzen! I know Brett is a busy guy but he sent me three different e-mails in less then 24 hours detailing how he personally was going to make sure my horn was replated at their expense. I was blown away!

So what caused the problem? Well, at first they were telling people online that the spots on their custom horns were caused by glue vapors in their deluxe wood cases. Say what? Now it appears the spots have been determined to be silver leaching through the gold then tarnishing into darker spots.

Here is what Brett wrote.

"Through some testing with our plating supplier, we have found that there was only about 5% as much gold deposited on the horn as there was supposed to be. Simply putting the correct thickness of gold on the horn will correct the problem. Once we are all setup, we will make your horn right..."

It would be interesting to know who their plating supplier is/was. Who other then Anderson is out there for large scale work?

Getzen is purchasing their own plating tank in the next month or so to improve their QC and fix this finish issue. I really appreciate the expense they are going through to improve their product! I asked Brett when this would take place and here is what he wrote:

"I actually just finished going through the final equipment quote. Everything should be ordered by the end of this week. It is then 4-6 weeks for delivery and installation. Once we are certain everything is right, we will start running horns."

I write all of this to report that this is a great company that really is making ever effort to build quality instruments at the highest levels. My Getzen Genesis is one of the finest horns I have EVER played and I have played a bunch. It is also very impressed that a great horn is backed by great customer service. Brett doesn't post on this forum, to my knowlege, but is very active on TH. I'll close with an additional quote from him concerning his company that you've got to love.

"I often say that the name on the horn is much more than just a brand name to us and that is true. Every horn that leaves the factory carries my family name and that is something I take very seriously. That's why I am so passionate about doing things right the first time and making sure that, if things aren't 100% right, we do everything we can to correct it."

I'll keep everyone posted on the follow though, and IF/when I get the new finish, I will post pictures.

Finish Well,

BruceB

I too have a Getzen Genesis and the exact same thing happened to me not once but twice and both times the Getzen folks were right there to fix the problem. At the time they still thought it was the glue issue and I haven't heard until now that it was a plating issue. That's interesting. After the second replating I haven't had any problems so hopefully they got enough on it. I know they even went so far as to replacing the case because they thought that was the problem. There's very few company's out there that stand behind their products like Getzen. i would deal with them in a heartbeat before any other trumpet maker. In fact I like their horns so much that I bought a 3001LE as well for lead work and the combination of that and the Genesis cover just about any kind of playing I'd ever do.

Brett Getzen

This is my first post on this forum, thanks Dan for bringing to my attention. Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know that the plating equipment was just ordered. Hopefully, if everything works out right, we should be gold plating horns by November 1.

Brett Getzen

gzent

Brett,

Welcome to the best forum on the web! Its always nice to have industry people posting.

Greg

Solar Bell

Welcome Brett!

I hope you stay and post here.

You would have a lot to add.

-cw-

Tootsall

Ditto the others, Brett. Welcome aboard. Now we don't have to direct those with Getzen questions to the TH site.

Dave

God, I love this forum. Welcome Brett.

MJ

Its great to know Getzen is still one of the good guys in the business. I haven't had much of a chance to play their pro line trumpets. But I have a couple of students who lucked out and their parents rented Getzen trumpets. I believe they must be the Getzen student line.

These are by far the best student trumpets I have come across. The valves are great. The constuction / fit and finish is excellent. And the trumpets actually sound good.

Its nice to hear about Getzen's excellent customer service!

40cal

+1

Brett Getzen

Thanks for the warm welcomes. I'll do my best to jump on here every day to keep up with any questions you guys may have. I can't make any promises, but I will try.

Brett Getzen