Adams Musical Instruments
Adams Musical Instruments is a manufacturer of percussion instruments based in the Netherlands.
Contents
History
The company was founded by amateur musician André Adams, who started repairing brass instruments in 1971. Music was Adams hobby while engineering was his passion in life. He gained experience as a maker of instruments with various firms throughout Europe. With this unique background and skill, it led him to the foundation of one of the world’s largest manufacturers of percussion instruments.[1]
Cooperation
Adams Musical Instruments has expanded due to the fact that they have been in partnerships with the following:
- professional musicians
- amateur musicians
- several universities[1]
Information
The instruments produced by Adams Musical Instruments include:
- timpani
- marimbas
- xylophones
- vibraphones
- bass drums
- chimes
- flugel
- horns
- trumpets
- euphonium[2]
Trumpets
The trumpets made by the Adams Musical Instruments company are unique and made with superb quality. Before creating brass instruments, Adams was used to creating timpani. It is with this knowledge of metalwork that the Adams company began to forge trumpets. The instruments are completely handmade, and the design and manufacture of every instrument is spearheaded by Miel Adams. Adams uses a wide variety of metals in its trumpet creation, including brass, gold brass, red brass, sterling silver, and nickel silver. Plating for these horns can include lacquer, silver, or gold. Raw brass is also an option. In addition, Adams is the only known company that has patented what they call the "Adjustable Gap Receiver". This new mechanism is designed to widen or shorten the gap between the trumpet mouthpiece and the mouthpiece receiver. The end result is an instrument that has the ability to change tonal color and feel without buying a new mouthpiece or instrument.
Below is a list of their trumpet model numbers and their corresponding specifications. These instruments are constantly being reviewed and worked on by head designer Miel Adams, as well as Adams trumpet/flugelhorn artists Trent Austin and Amik Guerra.
A1:
- Pitch: Bb
- Bore: ML .460" (11.7 mm)
- Bell: 1 piece
- Bell diameter: 5" standard
- Leadpipe: Adams 14ML
- Receiver: Fixed A1
- Valves: 3 x top center stainless steel
A2:
- Pitch: Bb
- Bore: ML .460" (11.7 mm)
- Bell: 1 piece
- Bell diameter: 5" standard
- Leadpipe: Adams 1ML
- Receiver: Patented adjustable receiver
- Valves: 3 x top center stainless steel
A3:
- Pitch: Bb
- Bore: ML .460" (11.7 mm)
- Bell: 1 piece
- Bell diameter: 5" standard
- Leadpipe: Adams 3ML
- Receiver: Patented adjustable receiver
- Valves: 3 x top center stainless steel
A4:
- Pitch: Bb
- Bore: L .470" (12 mm)
- Bell diameter: 5.5"
- Bell: 1 piece
- Leadpipe: Adams 3ML
- Receiver: Heavy fixed receiver
- Valves: 3 x top center stainless steel
A5:
- Pitch: Bb
- Bore: L .460" (11,7 mm)
- Bell: 1 piece
- Bell diameter: 4.9"
- Leadpipe: Adams 3ML
- Receiver: Fixed receiver
- Valves: 3 x top center stainless steel
A6:
- Pitch: Bb
- Bore : L .438" (11 mm)
- Bell: 1 piece
- Bell diameter: 4.8" / 4.625"
- Leadpipe: Adams3ML
- Receiver: Fixed receiver
- Valves: 3 x top center stainless steel
A7:
- Pitch: Bb
- Bore: L .470" (12 mm)
- Bell: 1 piece
- Bell diameter: 5" standard
- Leadpipe: Adams 2L
- Receiver: Fixed receiver
- Valves: 3 x top center stainless steel
A8:
- Pitch: Bb
- Bore : L .470" (12 mm)
- Bell: 1 piece
- Bell diameter: 5.5"
- Leadpipe: Adams 3ML
- Receiver: Integrated changeable mouthpiece
- Valves: 3 x top center stainless steel
A9 L:
- Pitch: Bb
- Bore: L .468" (11.9 mm)
- Bell: 1 piece
- Bell diameter: 5" (127mm)
- Leadpipe: Adams 9.2
- Receiver: Fixed receiver
- Valves: 3 x top center stainless steel
A9 ML:
- Pitch: Bb
- Bore: ML .453" (11.5 mm)
- Bell: 1 piece
- Bell diameter: 4.725" (120mm)
- Leadpipe: Adams 9.1
- Receiver: Fixed receiver
- Valves: 3 x top center stainless steel
C1 + C2:
- Pitch: C
- Bore: L .460"
- Bell: 1 piece
- Bell diameter: 4.8"
- Leadpipe: Adams C3
- Receiver: Fixed receiver
- Valves: 3 x top center stainless steel
In addition to the handmade standard models, Adams also does custom trumpet work. This work includes, but is not limited to, custom bracings, engravings, bell shapes, plating, etc. Various new instruments have also been created for trumpet player Christian Scott. One of these instruments includes "The Siren", which is a combination of a trumpet, flugelhorn, and a cornet. Also created was the "Reverse Flugelhorn", which is a flugelhorn with a uniquely shaped bell, and pipes that are placed on the opposite side of the instrument (hence the name 'reverse').
Awards
Adams Musical Instruments has received the following awards:
- Limburg Export Award
- King William 1 award[4]
Location
The instruments are sold in North America and Japan through Pearl Drums. Some notable dealers of Adams trumpets and flugel horns in North America include Austin Custom Brass and J. Landress Brass.
