so, I'm fairly new to making trumpets, let me start out with that. I do feel however I'm making a good product based off customer feedback and some respected trumpet players who I have sent my calls to get their thoughts on and so far, all have been positive. My question is would it be beneficial to only offer certain woods? so far, I've used Cocobolo, ABW, Osage, Pink Ivory, Bolivian rosewood, Dywood/frogwood. Are there particular woods that seem to be more appealing to the masses or woods that are harder to move. I feel like I can make a call sound the way I want regardless of the hardness of it so I'm not opposed to using anything a customer may request. But I guess if I were to build inventory, I'd be better off making them in batches of the more popular woods than just using random woods if that makes sense. Just curious on yalls thoughts on this.
All those woods are awesome for horns. Trumpet purchasers purchase for sound and playability. With that being equal we do look for different eye appealing materials.
Just my dumb opinion....always make the call with the sound that and materials that YOU like and swear by. Be very fussy and meticulous with your sound and ease of use, and when YOU are satisfied, that's your product. Trying to chase someone else's desires can be an exercise in frustration.
Quote from: EZ on April 09, 2025, 03:16:35 PMJust my dumb opinion....always make the call with the sound that and materials that YOU like and swear by. Be very fussy and meticulous with your sound and ease of use, and when YOU are satisfied, that's your product. Trying to chase someone else's desires can be an exercise in frustration.
I've always cared more about sound and playability above all else. I guess I was just asking because I'm wanting to build inventory so I'm not getting tied to a list and can have calls avaliable for people. I do enjoy the freedom of just going out and building what ever I want but it seem some sell quickly and others seem to get no love lol.
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Its all personal choice, but I don't care for engineered woods created with resin or natural woods that feel lite like cedar.
I prefer heavier, dense woods like coco, ironwood, kingwood, lignum vitae, etc. Also, prefer a traditional look of smooth lines without any laser etching or hand drawing of animals. No trumpets that resemble bed posts or lamps.
I look for sound and then shape/aesthetics.
Quote from: randywallace on April 11, 2025, 11:52:36 AMIts all personal choice, but I don't care for engineered woods created with resin or natural woods that feel lite like cedar.
I prefer heavier, dense woods like coco, ironwood, kingwood, lignum vitae, etc. Also, prefer a traditional look of smooth lines without any laser etching or hand drawing of animals. No trumpets that resemble bed posts or lamps.
These are a few of my calls that I've done this year. Just trying to get a better idea of what every one looks for. I want to build inventory so I can have calls avaliable for people when they ask but didn't want to stock pile them if they would be hard to sell.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250412/fde1de2c7f5e6fd365e6da69c78fd028.jpg)
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Sharp looking horns Sir!
My preference is to have a sound bite of the call maker playing their calls on YouTube or SoundCloud. Gives me a much better idea of what I'm buying.
Quote from: hpo on April 12, 2025, 04:36:29 PMSharp looking horns Sir!
My preference is to have a sound bite of the call maker playing their calls on YouTube or SoundCloud. Gives me a much better idea of what I'm buying.
I mainly do most of my business on Facebook and send sound files of each call before i sell them. And ill always take phone calls to play the calls for a customer. I started building trumpets last year and have been making pot calls and strikers for several years now.
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Thank you-I try to stay of the book of Face. Helpful though with the sound bites.
Quote from: Seminole Custom Calls on April 12, 2025, 03:39:28 PMQuote from: randywallace on April 11, 2025, 11:52:36 AMIts all personal choice, but I don't care for engineered woods created with resin or natural woods that feel lite like cedar.
I prefer heavier, dense woods like coco, ironwood, kingwood, lignum vitae, etc. Also, prefer a traditional look of smooth lines without any laser etching or hand drawing of animals. No trumpets that resemble bed posts or lamps.
These are a few of my calls that I've done this year. Just trying to get a better idea of what every one looks for. I want to build inventory so I can have calls avaliable for people when they ask but didn't want to stock pile them if they would be hard to sell.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250412/fde1de2c7f5e6fd365e6da69c78fd028.jpg)
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I prefer the first to the left and the black Jordan as far as aesthetics, but the number one is how it sounds and how easy it is for me to play.
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Calls that vibrate through the middle seem to end up as the best players. I would stick with the same materials used in woodwinds. There are some such instruments made from vulcanite, which I have yet to see anyone make trumpets from. I have asked for and been promised calls made from vulcanite, and with an angled mouthpiece, from two different builders. Never heard from them again.
It's a musical instrument. Use materials found to work best for musical instruments.
Walnut seems to be a pretty common wood for many different types of calls. I don't think it would be a bad idea to have a couple laying around just in case.