The $2500 Harrelson Trumpet

I've polled both existing and prospective customers two years in a row with this question, "What price point would convince you to buy a Harrelson Trumpet?" Answers ranged from $7 to $12,500, and as you can imagine, the higher answers were submitted by current Harrelson owners. The average ideal price given by existing Harrelson clients was $5300 while the prospective owners' average was around $2760 when throwing out a few silly responses. It's interesting to note that trumpet players relying on Harrelson instruments on a daily basis offered a number nearly twice as high as those who have not yet experienced the advantages of higher efficiency, maximum bell resonance, and our exclusive variable performance system.

I did offer a $2500 trumpet for many years, which was known as the Bravura model. This instrument was my second model produced in any numbers, estimated around 300 instruments. The price started at $2500 back in 2005 or so, and crept up to $3995 several years later just before it was retired. Designed to balance efficiency and resonance, the Bravura model was a home run in terms of design, performance, and price.

The Summit model replaced the Bravura, which has been our best selling model of all time with over 1,000 made to date. It was released in 2008 at $3995 and today it is priced in the $7000-8000 range thanks to a long list of improvements. These include the venturi gap receiver (VGR), which gives the player control over air flow, impedance, flexibility, and slotting with every setting possible in seconds. And the third generation fully machined leadpipe is available in 10 tapers that exhibit maximum efficiency. The SWE tuning slide optimizes impedance values, making the instrument very predictable in all registers. This means almost all of your effort remains in the standing wave until it resonates the bell while allowing every note to feel natural and comfortable.

The VPS Summit, which includes our "variable performance system" upgrades is the current variation offered today. And it will be retired at the end of September. This will mark the end of an incredible era in trumpet design and manufacturing. The Summit was the first trumpet to feature a fully CNC machined tuning slide that is both laser welded and silver soldered to guarantee both maximum efficiency and optimum impedance ratios. The only other model to offer these advantages is the Muse.

So what's my point? Well, many of you are asking for a $2500 trumpet, while the average reported price point that makes sense to own a Harrelson is $2760. So, I'm going to give you exactly what you're asking for, but there's a catch. I can only do it for a relatively small number of you.

The new Rumors & Dreams limited edition series will be priced in the $4000-5000 range. But the first 5 customers who buy either model, can own one for as little as $2800. Consider this announcement as your one and only early warning to get your financial affairs in order asap. Like I said, only five people will get in on this opportunity. My team and I cannot afford to sell trumpets at a loss, so this is really one of those publicity stunts you see around the holidays. I'm doing this to get your attention, and because I know you'll tell your friends, colleagues, and students. I'm offering a $1200 opening day discount just to get everyone talking!

But before you jump in with both feet, credit card in hand, ready to pull the trigger... You want to know about Rumors & Dreams, right?

Rumors and Dreams are two similar, but different trumpets. Rumors is a commercial, lead, big band instrument, and Dreams is an all-around performer that works in every situation. Both have an attractive hex-milled feature on a number of B.R.A.S.S. components that are both functional and tie the theme together. That BRASS acronym you just read will be explained on the release date, but in a few words, BRASS components noticeably improve the playability of any brass instrument.

The new Rumors & Dreams line is my answer to the modern day Bravura, which was so very successful in years past. The goal is to offer a horn that feels like home to each and every player. This is only possible with the VGR system, or by manually modifying the mouthpiece gap for each player. And that's exactly what I'm offering. When you choose the optional VGR upgrade, you'll have the world's most advanced fully adjustable impedance system ever designed, right at your finger tips. If you're on a strict budget, choose the included Zero Gap Receiver, and get ready to file down the end of your mouthpiece to optimize your setup. Either way, I will show you exactly how to make your new R&D trumpet fit like a glove in every register, on every note, at every dynamic level. I've studied brass acoustics since 1992, and I'm here to help you achieve success like you've never known.

Along with this R&D launch, you'll have the opportunity to choose a bell that suits your projection and tonal color preferences. And you can get into our SpectraTone mouthpiece system at a discounted price. But the best part is our 0% financing payment plans for those of you who need a few months, or up to two years, to pay off your new custom trumpet. If you're not in the, "l'm ready to pay the balance on day one" club, then maybe you would rather make a $300 deposit with monthly payments in the $100-200 range. Yes, this will be an option!

There are two things you need to remember. First, this new line of trumpets will likely be reserved very quickly upon release sometime in the coming days. And two, there will only be 31 Rumors and 36 Dreams trumpets available, ever.

Watch for details in the coming days and feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Jason