FAQ

Where can I buy BEST BRASS products?
- Please refer to the page which shows our official dealers in the world.また、弊社から直接の販売もしております。こちらからどうぞ。

Straight
- I bought a black model before, but is it still produced?
  - In the past days, Straight and Wah-Wah & Cool Jazz was painted in the final process of the production.
    Tp-Aluminum and Tp-Brass was painted in a similar color to the material, but only Tp-Copper was painted in black. That would be why it is often said that there was a special black model before.
    By stopping the painted finish, the current models achieve clearer sound, and each character of the material effectively stands out. Also, the no-lacquer finish brings out a delightful result that the more the Sound Transformer is played, the more resonant sound will be produced.
Wah-Wah & Cool Jazz
- How big is the difference of the pitch between BEST BRASS and others?
  - As previously described, general Wah-Wah mutes badly raise pitch in Harmon style, but BEST BRASS does not.
    In general, it is required for Bb Trumpet to pull out the main tuning slide for 15～25mm to correct the pitch. This state obviously is not good for sound, and of course, it is very hard to play in the song that has many quick mute changes. As you can see in the following picture, Wah-Wah & Cool Jazz does not require the adjustment, regardless as to whether the mute is played as Harmon or not.
- The elastomer fits very tight and I love it, but the elastomer has become cracked. How can I fix it? and what kind of material is it made of ?
  - I am afraid the material is a company secret. The ultraviolet causes cracks of the elastomer, and if the elastomer gets cracked, there is not way to fix it but replacing it. Please avoid the direct sunlight.
    Anyhow, a set of replacement is prepared for that case, so please look at the page ?? and contact our official dealers near you. Or, we can directly sell the replacement to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us. bestbrass@msi.biglobe.ne.jp
Warm-up
- The mute raises the pitch, especially in low registers. Is there any way to solve it?
  - With silencers (like Warm-up or e-Brass), width of pitch is expanded, which means you can play both higher and lower pitch. Therefore, you need to consciously adjust the pitch with silencers. In fact, most of professional players does not raise or lower pitch with these silencers. It should be a good training, please try it. It is going to be all right. Everybody can get over the habit.
- I saw two kinds of Warm-up Euphonium, but why? What is the difference?
  - It is because of a minor change in November 2007. Please look at the pictures below.
    The previous model used to have a round shape like a dome and was able to put it in the bell completely. On the other hand, the new model has kind of mushroom shape, and it is not able to be in the bell completely, but low registers have become more stable.
- Is there Warm-up Tuba?
  - As the current situation, there is not a typical type of bell for Tuba but too many types. The fact makes it impossible to produce Warm-up Tuba. Unfortunately, we cannot make the line-up for all the bell types, so there is not even a plan of developing Warm-up Tuba so far. A custom order is not acceptable either.
- Which model is available for Tenor Horn?
  - Warm-up Trombone has the highest possibility of availability, but it actually depends on a bell size of each instrument, so it hardly can be the answer. It is the best way to try with your instrument at the dealers near you.
- ・ I heard that Warm-up Bass Trombone was better for Horn, but is it true?
  - Obviously, Warm-up Horn is the best for Horn. However, it seems that there actually are some players who prefer Warm-up Bass Trombone for their Horn, but it should be personal equation. We recommend that you select Warm-up Horn because Warm-up Bass Trombone is relatively easy to be fallen off from the bell.
Gestopft
- I bought a black model before, but is it still produced?
  - Big minor changes were introduced to Gestopft Non-Transposing in June 2009. Re-designed model achieves 30% lighter body, smoother blow feeling, and becomes more closely to the sound of Hand stopping. With this minor change, the black colored finish was stopped and non-lacquer finish was adopted.
    Besides, a production of Gestopft Professional was stopped since the Non-Transposing has a quite better quality.
    (Gestopft Professional was the sister model of Non-Transposing and excelled in the blow feel and the sound, but transposing was necessary.)
e-BRASS
- How can I record a performance or do a Karaoke?
  - First, a code that has 3.5mm plug on each end is required. A performance can be recorded with a general recorder in the market by connecting the code’s one end to the LINE OUT of e-Brass (e-Sax) and another end to the recorder.
    Karaoke can be played with MP3 players or such a device by connecting the code’s one end to the AUX IN of e-Brass (e-Sax) and another end to the MP3 player. The Karaoke is listened through a headphone or loudspeakers. (Connect LINE OUT and loudspeakers for it.) Besides, the Karaoke performance can be recorded by connecting as previously explained. (Two codes are required for recording Karaoke performances.)
- When is e-Brass Euphonium launched?
  - Currently, we do not plan it.
- Is the power only battery? No AC power?
  - Only AAA battery is accepted and is not AC power-compatible. Alkaline battery is suggested for the use of e-Brass and e-Sax.
- Will you republish an introduction manual for me?
  - I am afraid we do not republish it.
- Sound is not reduced at all, but is it defective?
  - e-Sax reduces the sound by covering the whole body of a saxophone, and e-Brass does it by closing the bell. Electronic parts do not have any relation with the sound reduction, so it cannot be considerable that the sound is not reduced because of the defective.
    Especially, beginners tend to play too loudly with a silencer because the player cannot find how loudly he/she actually plays. In this state, the sound should be loud, and the blow is not smooth as usual. Please note it is the natural state that the sound level of normal conversation is heard from e-Sax , and e-Brass should sound like whispering in the natural state. Also, it should be the best way listening to the actual sound level through a headphone.
    In fact, advanced players can find and control the sound level of their performance even if they do not play without a headphone, and we actually receive many positive feedbacks about the sound reduction of e-Sax and e-Brass. Besides, some e-Sax players prefer its small and saxophone-like sound and enjoy playing with Guitars or Recorders.
e-Sax
- How can I distinguish the TypeI and TypeII?
  - It is the easiest way to check whether the e-Sax has metronome function or not. TypeI does not have metronome but TypeII has it. Please look at the right picture for reference.
    The feature of TypeII is easier blow in low registers and more comfortable handling inside the e-Sax, compared to TypeI.
- I was wondering if the e-Sax fits to my instrument.
  - e-Sax is designed as fitting to most of the current saxophones. However, it is impossible for us to test all the saxophones in the world, so please test it with your instrument before buying it. The best and comfortable position can be sought by adjusting the Neck-holder and Bottom-pad, and this will improve better playability in low registers.
    In our research, only the instruments from Buffet Crampon needs some techniques because they have an unique angle, length, and position of the neck besides an unique direction and position of the bell. It is necessary for using Buffet Crampon instruments to set the Neck-holder oppositely. However, in our experiment, it was hard to play the lowest Bb and next C. There was no other problem in addition to those.
- Is it impossible to produce e-Sax by clear plastic?
  - It is possible, and we actually considered it in the development phase. However, even if the shell is clear, the felt inside e-Sax is absolutely necessary. Eventually, the instrument can not be seen, and the shell should soon mist by breath.
- It should be hot and humid inside e-Sax, but any countermeasures?
  - Yes, absolutely. The felt inside e-Sax indicates the highest level of hygroscopicity in the world, and it is mildew proofing, antibacterial, and even eliminates odors. Even if e-Sax is played for a long time, moistures are not condensed on the instrument with this felt. It varies in individuals and climates, but hands may become a little sweaty and sticky. That happens because of sweat but not breath. Therefore, heavy sweater should feel them. If you cannot stop caring about it, wearing thin gloves would solve the problem. After the practice for a long time, moisture should appear at the place between the shell and the felt. In this case, get the felt out from e-Sax and dry it in the airy and indoor place. Pay attention to the cheap but shoddy products. They adopt simple cotton as the felt and would hurt your instrument.
- When is e-Sax Soprano or Clarinet launched?
  - Currently, we do not have plans of developing and selling. In fact, actual achievement of e-Sax Tenor was completely far away from our sales forecast, and it is impossible to develop those new products unless the e-Sax get a certain position in the market. We need your supports!!!
- e-Sax is too heavy. Is there any way to reduce the burden?
  - e-Sax includes a strap, and the strap can be used like a shoulder bag. This way, strain on your neck would be lighten. Also, playing e-Sax on a rest will work for it. In our research, the best rest for playing e-Sax is a drum throne.
- Are there any stands for e-Sax?
  - We do not produce stands for e-Sax. However, a general guitar stand is appropriable as a stand for e-Sax. The right picture shows that e-Sax Alto is on a guitar stand. A neck holder of the stand is oppositely turned around so that the holder does not block out e-Sax.
- 音が消音されないのですが・・・、故障でしょうか。
  - e-Saxは、サックスをカプセル状のABS製シェルで包み込んで消音しています。電気的な消音部分は全くないため、電子モジュールの等で漏れる音量に変化は全くありませんので、まず故障ということはありません。一般に、（特に初心者の方の場合）は、消音器を使うと普段よりも大きな音で演奏してしまいます。これは、消音率が高くなって外に漏れ出る音が小さくなるほど、逆に吹きすぎてしまうからです。その結果、漏れ出る音量も大きくなり、吹奏感も苦しく感じてしまいます。このような場合は、ヘッドフォンを使って自分の音をフィードバックし、感覚の補正をすると良いでしょう。e-Saxでは普段の会話程度の音量が漏れ出る程度が、最も自然な状態で演奏されている状態だと判断していただければ、練習効果もあがります。一方上級者の場合は、消音された状態でも、自分の吹いている音量がどれくらいかわかりますから、吹きすぎることはありません。また、e-Saxから漏れ出るサックスらしい小さな音は、サウンドトランスフォーマーとして使う方もいるようで、例えば、ギターやリコーダと合わせて楽しんでいます。

Groove series
- Groove series' surface of the cup is different from the previous BEST BRASS mouthpieces that I bought before, but why?
  - After cutting from a brass rod, the cup of BEST BRASS mouthpieces is not buffed up. This concept has very important factor for saving the accuracy of the cup and generating appropriate blow resistances.
    When the Groove series was launched, we adopted a new manufacturing process. As the result, the cup looks different but more beautiful than the previous models, so please do not worry.
- Alexander Horn has a different taper, but is BEST BRASS mouthpiece available?
  - Technically and strictly speaking, the taper is different. However, it has no problem at all as we have tested with Alexander 103. Inserting a mouthpiece to the Horn by only mouthpiece’s own weight may be shaky, but it should be well fit by lightly turning it in.
    The D or C cup is recommended to Alexander Horns since they have a small bell.
- What is the type of the cup? U or V?
  - It is hard to describe whether our mouthpiece is U or V.
    However, it could be said that our Trumpet and Trombone mouthpiece is U and Horn mouthpiece is V.
    In fact, they have a feature of both U and V. For example, “B cup” of Horn mouthpiece is almost V, and “D cup” is V that is very close U.
    This original design achieves a correct pitch, excellent intonation, and the ideal tones of the instrument.
- Is it possible to give the Groove to mouthpieces I own?
  - Yes, though you need to send the mouthpiece to us, we would be delighted to give the Groove. However, it is a service for only BEST BRASS mouthpieces. Also, the Groove costs 3000 Japanese Yen per piece, and the payment should be done in advance.