@jolter I think your initial post fairly summed up the issues.
I would prefer Reddit, I think, if it was for pro or pro-am players only, but it's overrun by high school students (I know they have to be somewhere).
Personally, I find TrumpetHerald to be far and away the most useful trumpet forum. DECADES of posts with some incredibly useful stuff (and some bs, I know).
I would give anything to get that forum upgraded to a more modern format. IDK what it would take to do it - maybe buy it?
I don't see much value in trumpetboards - I get the weekly digest mainly because I'm a huge trumpet nerd and don't want to miss anything.

@jolter I think your initial post fairly summed up the issues.
I would prefer Reddit, I think, if it was for pro or pro-am players only, but it's overrun by high school students (I know they have to be somewhere).
Personally, I find TrumpetHerald to be far and away the most useful trumpet forum. DECADES of posts with some incredibly useful stuff (and some bs, I know).
I would give anything to get that forum upgraded to a more modern format. IDK what it would take to do it - maybe buy it?
I don't see much value in trumpetboards - I get the weekly digest mainly because I'm a huge trumpet nerd and don't want to miss anything.

Lovely!
I do have one in stock at Ernie Williamson Music - we are one of the largest Lotus dealers...

erniewilliamson.com

@rowuk Your advice is spot on. Tolerances are right with Carol Brass valves, and it can take a bit of time to break in.

@jolter That is the one I have. I've had it for years with zero problems...

I've been very happy with the Gard mouthpiece pouch.