The Brass Ark offers repairs at The Brass Medic, a repair shop headed up by brass craftsman and superb trombonist, Brad Close.
You will find Instruments, Cases, Mouthpieces and accessories available for purchase in the “For Sale” section of this website. I will update the website as frequently as possible with lots of photos showing a true depiction of the item.
The Gallery is where I display my collection of brass instrument. You will find photos and descriptions of the instruments in my personal collection. I try to use them all on various performances around town.
In the Journal portion of my site I will write about new instruments I come across, post photos of other musician’s instruments and information I collect that I think will be interest to my readers. My hope is that this section of the website could be a great resource for people looking to learn more about the world of brass instruments.
NEWS
updated: April 24, 2013
For all the latest updates, like us on Facebook!Brass Ark seamed brass trombone slide crooks are now available. Each bend is handmade after the original part by my maker, Stephan Schmidt in Germany. Available in nickel silver, yellow brass, gold brass or red brass in four sizes:
-Elkhart Conn 88H narrow (.547")
-Conn 88H Wide (.547")
-Bach Mt Vernon model 42/50 (.562")
-Bach New York "vintage" narrow 42/50 (.562")
Shown in this photo with the original tuning slide on the left of each row (with the exception of the wide tenor, which is a wide version of the Conn 88H bend). Prices are $250 for the bend. Water key, ferrules and slide guard not included. We can install on your slide for you for $100 (sourcing your water key and bow guard from your previous crook)
Take the bow to any competent brass technician and have your new awesome slide crook installed on your slide. Be the envy of all other brass nerds in your neighborhood!
Brass Ark seamed brass tuning slides currently available to fit Conn 88H. This is a reproduction of my 1947 Conn 88H "Spec" tuning slide and is made from sheet yellow, gold or red brass by Stephan Schmidt. Also available with an optional nickel silver bow guard (which was stock on the original tuning slide). This bow will be available for Bach 42, and Shires tenor in about a month. Plug and play, shouldn't need any modifications. Prices are $400 in your choice of yellow, gold or red brass, nickel guard adds $75.
The Brass Ark is now a dealer for tuning slides from Matthias Holle, a custom trombone maker in Germany. He makes custom tuning slides out of seamed copper or nickel silver for Bach 36/42 and Bach 50 bass trombones. These slides play very well and are beautiful to look at. They give a warmer color to the sound and darken articulation. Prices are $375 without brace and $400 with cross brace. In Stock now!
New for 2013! The Brass Ark is excited to be offering our first custom trombone model
The Brass Ark model 1213 "Vintage Orchestral" Trombone was designed by trombonists Thomas Zsivkovits and Noah Gladstone to finally fabricate a modern trombone that captures the essence of the "classic American orchestral trombone sound" but improves the playability and stability that contemporary bores and valve technology offer. Departing from Noah's personal collection of important vintage trombones, we carefully selected and meticulously recreated the components that work in harmony with each other to yield an original sounding instrument. This is not a worn out copy of a Conn 88H or a Bach 42 or the like, but something new and exciting to play. A trombone that creates nostalgia and is an instrument to be passed on for generations. The model 1213 is built in Germany exclusively by Stephan Schmidt for The Brass Ark and is only available through this website. Available in early spring 2013.
The Brass Ark is now the West Coast Dealer for Greg Black Mouthpieces.
In stock: 6G-5G, 5G Light .277" "Kitzman" model, 4G, 5GSD, NY5.5, NY5, 1G.
$185 in silver plated finish, medium weight. Plating on request. Plating options: 24K gold, white gold, rose gold, champagne gold, green gold, rhodium, platinum
The For Sale page has been updated with organized categories per instrument. Just click on whichever category you're looking at and the page will organize for you. If you're just interested in browsing photos, the sold items are still available to view. Sorry it took so long, but it should make viewing this page much easier! There are over 1000 photos on this page, so please have patience in letting them load (might take 1-2 minutes depending on your connection) . I am working on a new website that has better user interface and no waiting for photos to load. Please bear with me through this transition.
Brass Ark has moved to our new shop just up the street! The address is:
3234 1/2 Foothill Blvd. La Crescenta, CA 91214
Best way to contact me is through email
Hours are by appointment, my mailing address is different from my shop address. If you call and I'm not there, leave a message and I will call you back. Emailing goes straight to my smartphone, so fastest service is by email. Thank you.
NEW: Vintage Leadpipes are available!
Our first leadpipes are ready:
-Bach Mt Vernon 50 bass trombone (tight venturi, focused but not a bright sound, even response, classic sound)
-Burt Herrick 62H original (ideal for TIS bass trombones to focus the wide response they have, makes these dark horns play with more core)
-Bach Mt Vernon model 42, balanced articulation, orchestral body to the sound with clarity and focus. Improves slotting and helps unfocused large tenor trombones define their sound.
Coming soon: Conn 78H (.522"bore), Conn 8H circa 1919
Pipes are $120 in yellow brass, press fit with ring. Shires/Rath/Edwards threaded collars are available for an additional $25
NEW: Instruments Wanted Section!
I will be maintaining a list of wanted instruments. If you're looking for a particular trumpet, trombone, french horn, tuba or even a rare mouthpiece. Send me an email and I'll add you to my list. At the same time, if you have a horn to sell or trade, check out the list to see if I have a client searching for your item.