Moonbeam at .108, this one particularly is an apex predator.  It is an easy player but trends bright and aggressive.  It is a very traditional setup with a very early style baffle and the specific relationships between elements here has created a bit of a monster.

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Return policy:

This is a very small, detail oriented handcraft shop offering very personalized service.  I do not have a shipping staff, or a retail staff.  Time, energy and finances are entirely devoted to handcraft restoration and reinvested in the creation projects.  This being the case, please respect the craft and the mission by not treating this shop as a revolving door for changing preferences or unserious exploratory adventures. I simply cannot service that action.

Vintage horns and mouthpieces: no returns.  Every effort is made to accurately and transparently describe and suit vintage horns and mouthpieces to buyers.  Generally we sell to people who really know what they are looking for or are willing to learn to practice up to the level of these historic works of art craft and design.  Being that they are historic collector’s items, repeated shipping is an unnecessary risk, and the time involved in endless trial and return is not within the scope of this shop. In most cases local visits are very fruitful and welcomed.

Horned Toad Select mouthpieces:
For pros and long term customers-Multiple trials to find the best suited piece may be arranged provided shipping and time is compensated. Those who want to have the full trail experience, visits are encouraged!

For beginner players, and any players wanting a different tonal color, or change their minds easily I offer exchanges, provided buyer pays shipping, a restock fee of $100, and a requirement of 100% as new condition on the returned piece.  My suggestion to beginner/learner players who struggle with acclimating to a new mouthpiece is to take time and study reeds and embouchure approaches to get the sound desired.
Please understand, this is a handcraft shop. A hefty financial and time investment is required for the production of these pieces and I cannot survive with endless financial and time demands on handcrafted pieces with no defects. Thanks for your attention.

This is an amazing rarity; 1960 Mark VI tenor, the exact serial 85000, made in celebratory satin “sable” (sand finish) silver plate and glass accents, an expensive special order option.  This horn lived an active life and does show wear indicating just how great it was (is).  I have done many special restoration projects on this horn, soldered the bow to body, resoldered the failed neck receiver, replaced most of the worn pearls and then finally a vast overhaul.  It originally came to me with black ‘roo pads’ in it, and plenty of key slop.  I did many special jobs on the horn but resisted taking those pads out since they were not old, but the horn always lacked some resonance, sort of a deflating kind of feeling rather than the power we might hope for in 85k.  I finally did surrender and did a whole job on it with my treated pads and special setup.  Now it is blasting, bright and powerful as expected.  Moral of the story- please don’t use roo pads.  They suck.

Aside from that, this is just that amazing actual 85k tenor the only one with the perfect number (HAH!) and it plays every bit as amazing as we imagine.  I did somewhat of a silver polish on this after I allowed it to turn black over several years and it was already a lot of work.  I will just let it go black I guess from here on in.  I took a quick set of pics before it turns totally black again.

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