 I have invested the majority of my life into brass instrument design, manufacture and performance. And today, I am proud to announce the debut of the new 2016 VPS Summit model. I had the vision for this instrument in 2007 and began an 8-year-long journey that has led to this moment. There were numerous sources of inspiration for the development of the Summit model and most of these were directly related to customer feedback and my own performing experiences on the Bravura and earlier prototype models. I envisioned an instrument that exhibited the highest efficiency with more audible feedback to the player. In essence, give the performer more sound and also give the audience more sound with considerably less effort. I knew this challenge would be daunting, but I had no idea it would require more than 30,000 hours of my life! The VPS Summit includes three crucial developments that were previously unknown to brass instruments. 1) The first was a fully modular mouthpiece system that facilitates the fine tuning of every component including the Rim, Cup, Throat, Backbore, Body and even the Nut that bridges the mouthpiece to the instrument receiver. This is now known as the 5MM Modular Mouthpiece. 2) The second was a fully modular receiver system that facilitates the fine tuning of air flow, resistance, flexibility and slotting. This system is now known as the VGR (Venturi Gap Receiver) or the VPS Receiver (Variable Performance System). The VGR consists of a high efficiency removable mouthpiece receiver with integral inserts that fit inside. The inserts are available in every variation to guarantee a match with every player. 3) The third development was incorporating SWE (Standing Wave Efficiency) into every component of the instrument to increase overall efficiency, evenness in tone throughout the full range and maintain consistent intonation properties. The SWE developments represented in the VPS Summit include fully CNC machined components that are considerably more efficient than standard instruments. The entire receiver, leadpipe, tuning slide, bell crook, bracing, all caps and finger rings have been extensively researched and designed for this purpose. With the recent release of the 5MM Modular Mouthpiece System and the SWE Bell Crook, the VPS Summit trumpet is now complete. Up to this point, every previous version of the Summit was an incrementally closer version of my original vision. I am extremely happy to share with you that my research and development of this model is finally complete. I am confident that this design will exceed the expectations of musicians around the world for generations to come.  A side note: I adopted the name Summit for this model as I am equally at home in the mountains, land and sea. Having grown up on the road, I always yearned to see over the next mountain pass either in the semi-truck or while hiking with my family. Reaching the Summit is often the primary goal in my life as the perspective from a high mountain peak provides more opportunities for wisdom, strength and continued challenges. And the next order of business will be incorporating these developments into my new Bravura Flugelhorn model. The following is a summary of the 2016 VPS Summit information we will be releasing in our upcoming press releases and our 2016 full color catalog. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to every single one of you who have supported my vision throughout the years. Together, we are a team that has created value and solutions beyond what most of us could have imagined. And I could not have done it without all of your patronage, encouraging words, friendship, trust and true trumpet love. I am forever in your debt, Jason Harrelson  Welcome to the future of brass instrument design The new 2016 VPS Summit line is here, ready to take your performance to the next level. If efficiency, versatility and personal fit are priorities in your trumpet search, then read on. You have just discovered the ultimate source for comprehensive solutions to brass playing challenges. We eliminate the guess work and frustration of finding, fitting and purchasing new equipment. And we guarantee you will love everything you own marked "Harrelson". Have you ever wondered why the upper register on one trumpet is easier than another trumpet? We know why this happens. In fact, we developed the Variable Performance System (VPS) to address this very problem. We guarantee you will find the correct VPS setting to fit your playing preferences in a matter of minutes. Does this sound too good to be true? Over 20 years of Research and Development has been invested in Harrelson VPS solutions. We studied the physics, we did the math and we produce the results! How do we build trumpets that play easier? Standing Wave Efficiency (SWE) is the name of the game when it comes to building trumpets that play easier. The VPS Summit model literally plays with less effort. If you struggle to play your highest notes on your current equipment, then two minutes playing the VPS Summit will reveal your instrument is in fact losing energy, thus forcing you to work harder. Why work harder when you could be making more music?  How is the VPS Summit made? We build Harrelson trumpets embracing 21st century manufacturing techniques. Innovating with the latest technology, CAD software and modern CNC machinery, we cut almost every component of our instruments and accessories from solid brass round and billet stock. We are the only manufacturer in the world to employ these technologies and techniques. From the beginning in 1995, our vision has explored new technologies to improve the playability, versatility and personal preferences available to the trumpet player. We are the latest true innovators in the beautiful tradition of trumpet making.  Innovation is everything at Harrelson Trumpets Our trumpets are designed, built and tested by Jason Harrelson, founder and owner of Harrelson Trumpets. Jason's perspective as a professional trumpet player and his work with thousands of the best trumpet players in the world as a mouthpiece, accessories and instrument builder has given him immense feedback and insight into approaching the challenges of brass playing. He has specifically designed the Variable Performance System to meet the needs of each individual player regardless of where they are in their quest for musical expression.  We produce the only VGR in the world Our extensive research on Standing Wave Efficiency and the Variable Performance System led to the development of the integral Venturi Gap Receiver. This breakthrough innovation allows the player to adjust air flow, resistance, flexibility and slotting to any possible setting in seconds. Now you can fine tune your setup to fit you as an individual. And as your preferences grow with your ability, you can fine tune again and again with no need to ever purchase another instrument. We are the sole source for SWE Technology Harrelson VPS Summit models produce the highest efficiency of any custom trumpet in the world. This is a result of more than twenty years of research into our proprietary SWE Technology. The cross section of every machined component including the receiver, leadpipe, tuning slide, bell crook, braces, caps, finger rings and buttons have been carefully designed to preserve more of the sound wave than conventional instruments. In fact, our trumpets play so much easier that most people are in disbelief upon their first time playing a VPS Summit model.  Where are Harrelson Trumpets built? All of our instruments, Mod Kits, accessories and 5MM mouthpieces are built in Denver, Colorado. After all these years, Jason Harrelson has remained true to his passion for building the highest quality musical instruments possible. He supervises or builds every single mouthpiece and accessory. And he personally builds every single brass instrument. With the help of two shop assistants, our team thoughtfully produces and finishes your instrument with meticulous precision and care to exceed your expectations. The name Harrelson is synonymous with the highest quality, precision and playability in the world today. Visiting our Minneapolis and Denver Locations We have locations in Minneapolis and Denver allowing you to schedule a visit to play test a VPS Summit at your convenience. The advantages of visiting include getting hands on experience with our extensive line of options, discussing your playing preferences with Jason, Jen or Christine in person for a personal fit and experiencing true Harrelson hospitality. We are truly a small team that is much more like a family that grows with every new member of our clientele. 12 Innovations exclusive to Harrelson Summit models
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 Jason Harrelson
Inventor, Musician, Educator and Founder of Harrelson Trumpets, Trumpet Momentum and Harrelson Momentum. Archives
August 2024
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