FAQ
Sales FAQ
Q: Do I need an appointment to try instruments or mouthpieces?
A: Yes! Making an appointment is always best. If we know you’re coming, we can have a room reserved for you.
Q: What should I bring to my instrument or mouthpiece trial appointment?
A: Please bring your current instrument and mouthpiece, as well as some sheet music you are comfortable playing. Anyone who will be helping you pay for the instrument must also be present in person.
Q: What is the trial period for an instrument or mouthpiece?
A: We offer a 15-day return period with the purchase of most products. Your trial begins on the day you leave the shop with your horn or when it is delivered to you. (See Refund Policy and Special Orders for more information about the limitations of our 15-day return period.) There will be a $5 cleaning fee for returned mouthpieces.
Q: Do instruments come with any warranties?
A: Yes! New instruments are covered for 2 years and pre-owned instruments are covered for 1 year. Any Verus model horn includes a 5-year warranty. See our Warranty Information page.
Q: Do any instruments come with cases?
A: Some do, some don’t. Most new horns under $7,000 will come with a case. Pre-owned horns may include a case or may not. Most trumpets and trombones will come with a case.
Q: I want to order something that you don’t normally have in stock. Can I do that?
A: If we are able to order what you want, yes! Sometimes this will be considered a special order, non-refundable and non-returnable.
Q: How long does it take to special order an instrument?
A: That depends. Sometimes the manufacturer will have the instrument in stock, so it will arrive quickly. For custom instrument makers, the instrument is made to order and will take longer.
Q: I need to insure my instrument, but I don’t know what documentation I need.
A: We offer official appraisals for insurance purposes at $35 per appraisal. An appraisal is included with the purchase of any instrument, up to 2 years after purchase. More information: Instrument Appraisals.
Q: Should I insure my instrument?
A: Yes! Your instrument is a large investment and accidents happen. You should be able to add the instrument as a rider to your homeowners insurance or renters insurance for a small fee.
Q: When will my order ship?
STANDARD SHIPPING
If we have the item in stock and you selected standard shipping, it should ship in 1-3 business days.
RUSH SHIPPING
If we have the item in stock and you selected rush shipping, it should ship in 1 business day.
BACKORDERS
For backorders, preorders, and custom orders, the shipment date depends on the manufacturer, international shipping, and supply chain issues. Here are some rough estimates, although we cannot guarantee any specific delivery date.
If it's past the deadline below, you can contact our customer service team for an updated delivery date. Our sales team will not be able to give you a more accurate delivery estimate until the deadline has passed.
BAGS of Spain: 10-12 weeks
BrassWitch: 2-5 weeks
Engelbert Schmid: 2-4 months
Ergobrass: 6 weeks
Gard: 4-8 months
Greg Black: 6-10 weeks
Houghton Horns mouthpieces: 2-3 months
Hetman: Due to supply chain issues, that is uncertain. We recommend you contact us to arrange an exchange to Meinlschmidt lubricants if you want something immediately.
Laskey: 2-3 months for silver plate, 6 months for gold plate
Leather Specialties: 3-4 months
Marcus Bonna: up to 6 months
RGC: 4-6 weeks
Ricco Kühn: 2-3 months
S.E. Shires: As of May 2023, Shires estimates Q series instruments will arrive in approximately 5-6 months and custom series instruments will arrive in approximately 14-16 months.
Schilke: 4 weeks for silver plate, 8-12 weeks for gold plate
Sheet music: 2-3 weeks for most titles, although if the music needs to be imported or reprinted it might take longer.
Soft Stands: 2-4 weeks
Thein: 4 months
Ultimate Brass: 4-6 months
Verus horns: 3-6 months
Verus hand guards: 3 days
Verus mouthpieces: 8-10 weeks
Wiseman: 3-5 months
Repair FAQ
Q: How much will it cost to get an estimate on my repair?
A: We are happy to provide you with an estimate free of charge.
Q: How long will my repair take?
A: Our repair shop will work with you to get your instrument back to you at the most convenient time possible. You may choose to schedule an appointment with us for a “While You Wait” repair, in which case we will assign a technician to finish it that same day. Or you may drop the instrument by at any time and we will arrange a pickup time that suits your schedule.
Emergency repairs are available for an additional fee.
Q: When is the best time to bring my instrument in for repair?
A: We recommend you bring your instrument in during the school year. There is a back-to-school rush from late July through August, so we recommend you avoid scheduling non-urgent maintenance during that period to receive the fastest possible service.
Q: Why do I need to have my instrument professionally cleaned? Can’t I just clean it at home?
A: Standard wear and tear from regular use will affect your instrument. Even if a brass instrument does not appear dirty on the outside, dirt and grease will build up on the interior. Buildup can cause valves, slides, and mouthpieces to become sticky or sluggish, or even to get stuck in the instrument. We recommend having your instrument professionally cleaned once a year to maintain optimal playing condition.
Be sure to snake out your lead pipe every now and then between professional cleanings!
Q: Do dents affect my instrument?
A: Most dents are purely cosmetic, but some can affect the sound quality or structural integrity of your instrument. We recommend you have dents removed to maintain your instrument in optimal playing condition.