"While playing at Jazz Alley in Seattle,with the late Maynard Ferguson, the trumpet section and myself had our trumpets and flugelhorn valves laser aligned. Mike has the best method for aligning valves in the world!"
-Patrick Hessian (Former Maynard Ferguson Big Band, Lead Trumpet)
"The only place I'll have my trumpet serviced is with Mike Paulson"
-Greg Adams
Tower of Power & Recording Artist
"I'm so happy we have Brass Masters in Seattle. I take my horns to Brass Masters to be worked on by Mike and recommend my students to do the same. He does quick, thoughtful, and always quality work."
-Mark Robbins (Associate Principal Horn Seattle Symphony, and Seattle Opera)
"After 60 years of professional playing and recording with bands
and singers that include Woody Herman, the Slide Hampton Octet, the
MJT+3, Peggy Lee and Anita O'Day, I am now 82 years young and
living on Orcas Island off the WA coast. For several years I was a
Besson artist/clinicain and worked on a team with Dennis Najoom,
Marve Stam and Clay Jenkins developing the New Generation Meha,
which is still the love of my life. This trumpet was literally on
life support when I met Mike, and he breathed new life into every centimeter of this brass proto relic. Mike is the Best in the
West ... my Main Man ... and the Dude that knows how to make
Gabriel himself want to steal your horn. Thanks Mike."
-Willie Thomas
"Mike rocks in all ways. He built and repaired all my horns growing up.
If anyone is interested, I'll send you a recording of Mike playing
"give it one" at the stardust in 85. My dad was on the band too.
Anyway Mike slays it going to an F over double C. He's super awesome
in everyway."
-Jon Trimble
"I'm not an equipment chaser, but I bought a horn from the '60s off
(the internet)... The horn got here and, ehhh...nothing special. But,
since I didn't have much money in it, I wanted to see if it could (be) hot-rodded. I bought it as a commercial/lead horn. Sent it to Mike Paulson in Seattle -- Yikes! he did a great job. My wife even likes the sound as much as (better than?) the horn that I've been playing for 30+ years -- a horn that Jeanne Pocious held up in admiration and then kissed a few years ago! Anyway, the difference in the horn after Mike worked on it is night and day -- now, something that I'll use. I believe that Jon Trimble of this list, has mentioned Mike Paulson as a lead player on one or more of his
"best" lists. Mike adjusts and plays as he works his way through the horn.
...Makes sense that we let someone like Mike set up our instruments.
Nice guy on the phone and easy to talk to about what might be accomplished with some tweaking."
-Denny Schreffler, Tucson
"I wanted to send you an update on the horns. All is good for sure!
They are open blowing, free, easy, centered & resonant. I also, loved the way the horns felt in my hands...Again, thanks for the help!"
-Alexander W. Bender
Beauty and the Beast National Tour '12
"Simply put, Mike Paulson is one of the most knowledgeable people I
have met when it comes to customizing trumpets. There is seemingly no
problem that Mike can't fix or at least make better. Mike has worked
on many, many horns I have owned and all of them played better when
Mike was finished. If you are looking to change the blow, sound,
intonation or response of your horn, Mike is THE man! His
valve-alignments are fantastic and he uses a variety of unique methods
to problem solve. Mike's biggest asset is that he is 30 year (plus)
professional trumpet player who has paid a lot of dues. Mike is really
in touch with what works and what doesn't in the "real world" of
trumpet playing. That is something very rare in the repair profession.
Tell Mike your problems, he knows how to help!"
-Thomas Marriott
Jazz Trumpet/Recording Artist
(www.thomasmarriott.net)
"Mike's work is outstanding. I had him put a first valve slide and do a valve alignment to my average and barely usable Mt. Vernon 43. It is now one of the best trumpets I have ever played and everyone is excited about this trumpet. Thanks Mike!"
-Brian Chin
Professional Trumpet Artist
Mike, you have my sincere appreciation for doing the valve alignment / tune up on my Schilke X-3...The horn is noticeably better in the way I find notes in the upper range, the way the valves feel, and the way the horn just feels in my hands. And not to mention a fatter sound I'm hearing now, makes me not want to put the horn down. I knew this trumpet would be good, but you've made it even better! Thanks a bunch...
-Marty Molloy, Seattle
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