SWE Finger Buttons are now modular for 5 great reasons!

I have been incredibly focused the past six months in an attempt to keep up with changing customer trumpet orders while simultaneously improving all of our SWE Trim offerings. I have revised top caps, bottom caps and created many new designs and options. This includes SWE Finger Buttons, which are now fully modular. The funny thing is that some of my customers view change as some kind of threat rather than seeing improvements as worthy and valuable. In the last two months, I have had a few customers express disappointment in the new modular finger button design. Why, I ask is this better design an issue? The response, "It just isn't what I expected". But my real question is, "What specifically about the new design is a problem?". So far, there have been no responses to this question. Apparently, customers feel the right to be upset without reason. I disagree with the notion that the customer is always right. I have devoted half of my life to understanding trumpet design and manufacture so I do believe I am best qualified to design and build SWE Modular finger buttons. Of course, I'm always open to new ideas, suggestions and logic as I re-design and develop trumpet technology so always feel free to share your ideas with me. But disliking something simply because it is different is not helpful.

What is the Modular Finger Button design and why is it better for you?
I designed the modular finger button system to solve numerous production bottlenecks and to deal with difficult customers who change their minds at the last minute. I find it surprising when I am finishing up a trumpet order and my customer calls to inform me that they no longer want their custom opal finger button inlays in 24k gold, but would rather switch to black onyx in platinum. How can I be expected to scrap the original order and build the new one within a few days? Yet customers insist that because they've only made a minor change, they expect their order to be on time. The scenario I described happens so often that we are revising our website and order forms to include disclaimers stating that any changes may delay your order. To be fair to us at Harrelson Trumpets, changing your mind at the last minute creates some major headaches more often than not so please be kind and change your mind ahead of time. Thanks :)

So I created the modular finger button system to solve the issue of last minute order changes. This allows us to create a wide array of inlaid caps in various plating finishes ahead of time. Then we simply screw them onto the threaded base that fits your specific trumpet. There's little risk of creating inlays that will not be used as the modular system allows any cap to fit any brand and model trumpet. This reduces the wait time to receive your custom order, while saving precious shop time and resources. Not to mention saving inlays as these are often very expensive materials.

The new Modular Finger Button System provides the following benefits to you:

1. Increased number of plating and inlay options available
2. Quicker turnaround time on custom orders
3. Modular design allows you to interchange inlays between all brands of instruments
4. The new modular system is less expensive than our previous SWE finger buttons
5. Future designs will be introduced including wide body finger, concave, wood inlay and non-round designs

Every change I make at Harrelson Trumpets is purposeful to increase efficiency, productivity and incorporate logic or style. I truly believe the new modular finger button system is the best system ever designed and that my customers will be pleased with the form, function and versatility currently available. With that said, there is a second generation modular finger button system already on the drawing board, which may eventually supplement this current system. However, the system currently in use will remain available for the foreseeable future offering you more options than you ever imagined.

Here are a few of my favorite photos of new modular finger buttons and SWE trim parts designed over the past few months.

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