FAQ/ policies
Who is Jacob Medlin??
What are the advantages of handmade horns over factory manufactured horns?
What is special about a Medlin Horn?
How do I order my Medlin Horn?
How much does it cost?
When do I have to pay for the horn?
How long will it take to get?
Am I responsible for shipping costs?
Will the horn be shipped with a case?
Can I return the horn if I don’t like it?
Why do I have to pay a deposit?
How much of a deposit is required?
Is the deposit refundable if I decide not to buy the horn?
Can I pay the deposit by credit card? Paypal? Check? Wire transfer?
What is the “Medlin Horns family?”
What other services do you provide?
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Who is Jacob Medlin??
I am a horn player and maker located in Ellettsville Indiana. My performance studies are from the University of North Carolina, University of Victoria in British Columbia, and Indiana University. I’ve studied with Andrew McAfee, Kurt Kellan, Jeff Nelsen, natural horn with Richard Seraphinoff and many others. While I still play locally at a high level, my focus has shifted and the majority of my time is now spent designing and building great horns!
I have always been obsessive about equipment and when presented with an opportunity to study horn making, I jumped at the chance to build a horn that played and sounded exactly the way I wanted. I build horns that sound great, but more importantly that feel free and easy to play. If its true that people sound like themselves no matter what horn they play, doesn’t it make sense to play one that feels great and easy?
Horns are my life and I’m thankful to have my hands in as many horn related things as possible. I also love cats, cooking and Carolina basketball! I enjoy talking with people about my horns! I am always happy to answer questions and explain my designs and philosophies of horn making.
What are the advantages of handmade horns over factory manufactured horns?
There are too many to count, but I will list a few important ones:
1) Quality of workmanship- For someone on a factory line, there is no pressure to care about the instrument being assembled…. “Oops, oh well, I’ll get it next time”. What about the person that ends up buying that horn? I put my name and reputation on the line every time I send off a horn and work my hardest on each and every horn I build.
2) Tension- For a factory horn, its parts are made before the horn is assembled and then put together like a puzzle. It is very difficult to match up parts and in many cases, the horn must be pulled together with iron binding wire in order to be soldered together. This causes tension in the metal which resists the natural tendancy of it to vibrate freely and makes the horn less responsive. I hand bend each part and hand make each brace as the horn goes together so that each piece of the horn can be assembled without tension.
3) Communication and buying experience- We can be in contact during the entire process of your horn being built. You are as involved as you want to be in any major design decisions and dictate the characteristic of the horn. You are also able come to me with any questions or concerns after you get your horn to make sure that it’s exactly what you want. Can you imagine calling Conn- Selmer to ask a question about your 8D?
With a Medlin horn you can be sure that you are getting a high quality, meticulously crafted horn. You know that you aren’t spending money on warehouse fees, salesmen, or advertising; you are paying to get a fantastic horn and keep a great tradition of independent horn craftsmen alive and flourishing.
What is special about a Medlin Horn?
The most special thing about a Medlin horn is the time and care that goes in to each horn, even above and beyond other makers. I take extra time to craft braces that are stronger and more beautiful than ones that are made of a brass rod soft soldered to two pre-made feet. I also do most of my bending free-hand rather than using a lot of wooden forms. This way, I am able to bend complicated and elegant one piece branches that fit perfectly. I could make more horns and more money if I took shortcuts but I am committed to the absolute best horn I can make, no exceptions.
How can I order a Medlin Horn?
The best way is still through email (jamedlin@gmail.com) or phone (812.669.1212). I am working on a way to order online, but since I spend all my time building horns, it is a slow process!! I also like to talk through things with you and make sure that I understand what you are looking for and that I can give you the most up to date information about wait times, costs, etc.
How much does it cost?
See the prices/ specs page for all current pricing information.
When do I have to pay for the horn?
A deposit is due at the time that the order is placed and the total balance is due BEFORE the horn will ship out. You can always send payments towards the balance during construction but I am not able to extend credit or offer a payment plan at this time.
How long will it take to get?
The time from the placement of the order to the shipping of the horn varies depending on how many horns are on the list and if there is any waiting time on special materials. I will give you an estimate when you place an order, or when you call and ask! Generally it’s best to assume that the wait time will be 6 months to 1 year.
Am I responsible for shipping costs?
If you live in the continental US, shipping is FREE. For international orders, the extra shipping and duty charges will be YOUR responsibility. Please email me with any specific questions.
Will the horn be shipped with a case?
The price of the horn does NOT include a case, therefore no case will be shipped with the horn. If you need a case, I can help you find one that will be sure to fit and protect well. Currently I do not deal in cases although I recommend, and test the horn for a fit in, a Marcus Bonna MB-5.
Can I return the horn if I don’t like it?
On average I will spend between 140- 160 hours on your horn. Since I keep no inventory and make horns one at a time, a horn can’t be returned simply because you don’t like it. However, I am committed to working with you to make sure that the horn is a satisfying instrument to play!
If you are initially unhappy with your horn, I will cover, once, all costs for a new leadpipe, bracing, or whatever needs to be done and return shipping to you. After that, you will be responsible for all costs (labor only) to tweak and ship the horn.
If you just feel like it is not a good fit, I will ask a current professional to play the horn and help to determine if it is defective in any way or does not do the things you’ve asked for. If the horn is the problem, you will be refunded the FULL AMOUNT of the horn. If the horn is considered to be a solid instrument (plays fine and does what its supposed to), you may keep and sell it yourself or I will sell it as a used horn and return the used sale price to you minus a standard 10% consignment fee.
Please contact me with any questions about this policy!
Why do I have to pay a deposit?
A deposit is required to reserve your place on the list and to authorize me to begin purchasing the materials that I will need to build your horn.
How much of a deposit is required?
Currently, $3000 is required as a deposit. Please check the prices page for the current deposit amount. I may forget to update this number if I change things…
Is the deposit refundable if I decide not to buy the horn?
In certain situations. If you request the deposit back before I begin construction, you will be refunded the deposit minus any special materials (things you’ve requested I purchase for your horn ie. special bells or valves that I do not stock as standard parts). Once you have authorized the construction of the horn, the deposit is non-refundable. I’m a reasonable guy, if you have specific questions call or send a quick email.
Can I pay the deposit by credit card? Paypal? Check? Wire transfer?
All of the above. If you pay by credit card, I must charge the paypal fee for the transaction. No fee applies for a paypal payment, check mailed, or wire transfer. If you choose paypal or credit card, I will send you a request for payment via email using a paypal invoice.
If you send a check, you will not be credited for payment or added to the list until the check clears. Bank drafts and money orders are of course instant.
What is the “Medlin Horns family?”
This is my garuntee that I will always work my hardest to build great horns and my hope that I can touch and be involved with every person that buys and plays one of my instruments. I will always be generous with fixing and modifying my own horns and hope that I can build a community around good information, quality equipment, and personal attention. Give me a call and join the family!
What other services do you provide?
I also teach a private studio in Ellettsville IN and do a small number of local repairs for the horn studio at Indiana University. I try to stay away from a heavy repair schedule to focus on horn building but I do offer cleanings, tune ups, and parts fabrication or rebuilds. I am not tooled up for valve rebuilds and pick and choose major restorations. Call or email if you have a project that I might be interested in!!