I bought the Paua Abalone silver plated buttons. They're really a great addition to your horn, and they're not too flashy. They're a nice, classy touch.

I bought a set of the black buttons, and they're a subtle enough change to not really stand out, but add some class to the horn. It also makes it easier to identify your horn if everyone in the section plays a strad! Two of us even play Monette mouthpieces so that doesn't work either.

My mom bought my Bach for me as a B-day present my junior year of high school on ebay (of all places). The guy had it cleaned and bought these valve caps for it. I don't notice a change in my tone when I switch out the caps (just for fun), I attribute this to the fact I always play with such a full tone. Just remember everyone, the horn doesn't make the player, but the player can make the horn look REAL good! :)

I recently purchased the gold trim kit and the black / white sard onyx finger buttons. They are a great addition to my silver trumpet and have made my instrument more individual and eye catching. They are purely a cosmetic improvement, nothing technically has been altered.

The semi-precious finger buttons I have are turquoise and sterling. The quality is excellent, and the look is all flash and style! The buttons are smooth and the workmanship is lovely -- a joy to play -- and all of the "Ooohs and Aaahs" are neat, too! (This was a great Valentine's Day surprise from my husband)