Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces

What Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces does

Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces is a Valencia, California-based specialty manufacturer and service provider founded in 1968 (operations began in Glendale in 1964), serving professional and amateur trumpet, trombone, and horn players. The company handcrafts brass mouthpieces to order with a 2-3 business day manufacturing turnaround, offers a screw-rim two-piece design enabling rim and underpart interchangeability, and produces the Reeves Sleeve System and B.R.A.S.S. (Bob Reeves Adjustable Sleeves System) for adjustable mouthpiece-to-leadpipe gap tuning. Underlying IP includes a 1974 patent on the sleeve system and a 1979 trademark on the adjustable gap receiver (.001 inch precision); the company also provides proprietary valve alignment services for piston-valve brass instruments, claiming approximately 20,000 instruments serviced over fifty years. Additional offerings include custom fabrication (sleeve cutting, rim threading, plating, re-shanking), accessories such as cylinder reinforcers and A adapters, and a curated selection of trumpets and trombones including the Chuck Findley model Van Laar.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market model combining direct-to-consumer e-commerce (Shopify-powered trumpetmouthpiece.com and the information-oriented bobreeves.com) with an extensive dealer network spanning 60+ US locations across 21 states, international partners in 15+ countries (Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and 10 European markets), and online marketplace listings (Mouthpiece Express, Musician's Friend, Woodwind and Brasswind). Customer segments are horizontally split between professional brass musicians (studio, orchestral, jazz) and amateur/student players, with free 30-minute phone or Zoom consultations supporting sales conversion. Marketing centers on a content strategy of three brass-focused podcasts (The Other Side of the Bell, Trombone Corner, Horn Signal), an educational blog, and a monthly email newsletter. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, but revenue streams include one-time mouthpiece and instrument sales, professional service fees (valve alignment, custom modification), and accessory hardware sales; custom modifications are offered with turnaround as fast as 24 hours. The company is privately held under co-owners Brett Kendall and John Snell following founder Bob Reeves' passing in 2022, with no external investment or parent company affiliations.

Name

Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces

Legal name

Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces, LLC

Website

https://bobreeves.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces, founded 1968 and based in Valencia, California, handcrafts brass mouthpieces and provides valve alignment services for professional and amateur trumpet, trombone, and horn players, selling direct-to-consumer and through a global dealer network spanning the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Brass Mouthpieces and Musical Instrument Accessories

NAICS

Musical Instrument Manufacturing (339992), Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (459140)

SIC

Musical Instruments (3931)

akta.pro primary industry

Instrument Accessories & Consumables Retail (Strings, Reeds, Sticks, Cables) (CRALAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Instrument Repair, Maintenance & Luthier Services (CRALAEAF), Musical Instrument Retail (Guitars, Keyboards, Drums, Band/Orchestra) (CRALAEAA), Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads) (MPAIAJAF)

Keywords

• Brass mouthpieces
• Valve alignment services
• Custom mouthpiece fabrication
• Trumpet accessories
• Brass instrument parts

Headquarters

HQ city

Valencia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Mouthpiece Sales: Handcrafted brass mouthpieces for trumpet, trombone, and horn. Includes stock models and custom/artist models. Made-to-order with 2-3 business days manufacturing time.
2. Instrument Sales: Sells trumpets and trombones through their online store, including brands like Van Laar and Chuck Findley model.
3. Valve Alignment Services: Professional valve alignment service for trumpets and other piston valve brass instruments. Permanent alignment using stable pad materials.
4. Custom Fabrication & Modification: Custom mouthpiece work including cutting for sleeves, rim threading, plating, re-shanking. Turnaround as fast as 24 hours for some services.
5. Accessories: Cylinder reinforcers, A adapters, Reeves Sleeves, replacement pads, and other brass accessories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces handcrafts custom brass mouthpieces for trumpet, trombone, and horn players, made to order in 2-3 business days. The company also provides professional valve alignment services for brass instruments using a proprietary process refined over 50 years, and sells related accessories including the patented Reeves Sleeve System, cylinder reinforcers, and adapters. Founded in 1968, the company also retails select trumpets and trombones through its online store.

Product overview

Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces offers a specialized portfolio of handcrafted brass instruments and accessories, centered on their flagship custom mouthpieces for trumpet, trombone, and horn. The core offering includes Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces and Purviance Mouthpieces (Vintage and Reeves-Purviance configurations), supported by the proprietary Reeves Sleeve System for adjustable gap tuning. The company provides professional services including Reeves Valve Alignment and consultation services. Additional products include Reeves Cylinder Reinforcers, A Adapters for piccolos, and a selection of trumpets and trombones. The company also produces educational content through three podcast series: The Other Side of the Bell (trumpet), Trombone Corner, and Horn Signal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces Handcrafted trumpet, trombone, and horn mouthpieces made to order since 1968, featuring adjustable gap technology and the proprietary Reeves Sleeve System. Manufactured in 2-3 business days and sold via direct e-commerce, dealers, and the company website.
• Purviance Mouthpieces Vintage mouthpieces crafted using original Carroll Purviance tooling from 1940s designs, offered in one-piece Vintage Purviance and two-piece Reeves-Purviance screw-rim configurations.
• Reeves Sleeve System Patented adjustable gap system using removable half and quarter sleeves (sizes #1-#7) that allow players to fine-tune the gap between mouthpiece and leadpipe within 1/64 inch increments. Patented in 1974.
• Reeves Valve Alignment Proprietary precision valve alignment service for trumpets and other piston-valve brass instruments using specific measuring methods and stable pad materials. Process takes 2-3 hours to a full day per instrument, performed at the Valencia, California facility.
• Reeves Cylinder Reinforcers Trumpet accessory that directs more energy through the instrument and out the bell, increasing projection and improving note slotting by damping the cylinder.
• A Adapter Adapter designed for Schilke piccolos with cornet shanks, allowing the use of standard mouthpieces.
• Trumpets and Trombones (retail) Fine trumpets and trombones retailed through the online store, including Chuck Findley model Van Laar trumpets and Oriam Ack flugelhorns.
• Custom Fabrication and Modification Services Custom mouthpiece work including cutting for sleeves, rim threading, plating, and re-shanking, with turnaround as fast as 24 hours for some services.
• CTS Compression Training Systems Compression training system for brass players to develop embouchure strength and endurance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trumpet players can perceive a change in gap as little as .006 inch

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Van Laar TrumpetscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVan Laar trumpets are sold through Bob Reeves Brass, including the Chuck Findley model mentioned in customer testimonials.
• ARIZONA - Milano Music CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer in Mesa, AZ
• CALIFORNIA - Multiple DealerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of California dealers including A&G Music Products (Oakland), Best Music (Oakland), Bronstein Music (S. San Francisco), Gard's Music (Glendora), Nick Rail Music (Santa Barbara), Olvera Music (Commerce), Union Music Company (San Francisco)
• NEW YORK - Multiple DealerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of NYC area dealers including Lewis Music, New York Woodwind and Brass, Rayburn Music, Roberto's Brass, Sam Ash Music, The Trumpet Shop (Webster)
• International Dealer NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDealers in Japan (Joy Brass), South Korea (ACC Music, BM Music), Australia (Ralph Pyl, Temby Australia), Europe (Biasin - Italy, Schagerl - Austria, Carpediem-Store - Belgium, L'Olifant Paris - France, Musikhaus Thomann - Germany, Atelier Pfeiffer - Netherlands, and others)
• AnbrassminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRecommended external repair service for general repairs not handled in-house
• Robb StewartminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRecommended external repair service for general repairs not handled in-house

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Laskey Mouthpieces: Specialty maker of trumpet and horn mouthpieces focused on orchestral and chamber players, addressing the same brass professional segment as Bob Reeves.
• Schilke Music Products: Family-run maker of premium trumpet and brass instrument mouthpieces, closely comparable in specialty manufacturing, custom work, and brass-community brand recognition.
• Warburton Music Products: Custom brass mouthpiece maker serving professional trumpet, trombone, and horn players with modular and customizable designs, directly overlapping with Reeves' custom mouthpiece offerings.
• Griego Mouthpieces: Niche maker of custom brass mouthpieces including trombone, with similar target customer (professional and serious amateur players) and direct-to-consumer sales model.
• Curry Mouthpieces: Boutique trumpet mouthpiece maker selling directly to professional players, with comparable custom-shop positioning and price points to Bob Reeves Brass.
• Marcinkiewicz Mouthpieces: Custom mouthpiece maker offering handcrafted brass mouthpieces with comparable customization options and direct sales approach for professional musicians.
• Denis Wick (Denis Wick Products): Well-known brass mouthpiece brand, especially strong in trombone and euphonium, competing for the same professional brass player customer base that Reeves serves.

Emerging players

• AR Resonance Mouthpieces: Smaller boutique mouthpiece brand competing in the same trumpet and trombone accessory category with similar customization philosophies.

Broad incumbents

• Conn-Selmer (Bach): Mass-market brass instrument manufacturer whose Vincent Bach line dominates trumpet mouthpieces across student to professional tiers, representing the broad incumbent against which Reeves competes.
• Yamaha Musical Instruments: Global musical instrument giant whose brass instruments and accessories share end-customers with Reeves, providing scale competition across the broader brass instrument ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bobreevesbrass
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/bobreevesbrass
• Facebookfacebook.com/bobreevesbrass
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bob-reeves-brass-mouthpieces

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces