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PPT mouthpieces

PPT mouthpieces

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PPT mouthpieces

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Stephen Howard" data-source="post: 640450" data-attributes="member: 41"><p>I can assure you - I often get accused of 'Brand XYZ bashing'.</p><p>I used to take it seriously, but then I noticed folks who'd accused me of such would subsequently praise a different review. Given that I apply the same standards to all reviews (with a suitable adjustment for price), it seemed to me that it was just fanboyism...so I stopped paying attention.</p><p></p><p>I feel it's true to say that just about any horn can be improved with an independent professional setup.</p><p>On something like, say, a top end Yani it might just be a matter of tweaking the action for a better response. On other horns it might require some tonehole work (hopefully light!). And then there are those which practically need rebuilding right out of the box.</p><p>But it's also true to say that the more you spend on a horn, the more you should expect not to need such services.</p><p></p><p>In the case of this particular Supreme it's not known if it was tweaked by the seller. I have my doubts...but they'll remain as much until I've seen other examples. I feel that's only fair.</p><p>However, as much as you would expect your expensive new horn to be 100% straight out of the box - the retailer will also want to make that assumption. I suspect there's a strategy. Horns above a certain price-point are expected to be good to go. Horns in the middle bracket will likely need a checkover - and horns at the lower end 'are what they are' and are left for the customer to point up any issues.</p><p>Let's face it, so few players really know whether a horn is working properly or not that any returns are likely to be limited to major disasters...or those that have been taken to a repairer and failed a post-purchase checkover.</p><p></p><p>Setting up a horn can be a very expensive business. To get the best out of that Supreme it would require a full strip-down. It's not gonna happen in a retailer's repair dept. For the most part a shop setup is going to involve a quick leak check, a few pad and action tweaks and a general inspection to ensure everything's where it ought to be and is in good condition.</p><p>Simply put it's a "Will it do?" service - with an eye firmly fixed on the meagre profit margin.</p><p></p><p>I suppose it could be said that my expectations are unrealistic - but they're based upon the best examples at a particular price point. As one manufacturer ups their game, the bar is raised - and so are my expectations, naturally. And I would expect the others to follow suit.</p><p>But then folks say that it'll put the prices up - but when have any of you ever bought a horn above beginner grade solely on the price? A brand X intermediate horn might cost, say, £1800 - a brand Y £1900. Your first choice is surely going to be about how the horn plays and feels (that's kinda the whole point, right?). But if it's a split-decision, what's going to persuade you to part with that extra £100? Finish, maybe? The case? Accessories? Or reliability and integrity of manufacture - AKA quality?</p><p>When you double or triple that purchase price you're even less likely to make a decision based on price because you've already got it into your head that a top-spec horn is gonna set you back 5 or 6 grand.</p><p>So no excuses - there absolutely IS room for manufacturers to go the extra mile.</p></blockquote><p></p>

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