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Ultimate Boutique Thread



 
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LaTrompeta
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Joined: 03 May 2015
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Location: West Side, USA

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2022 3:18 pm    Post subject: Ultimate Boutique Thread Reply with quote

Having purchased my first "boutique" trumpet this year, it got me thinking...how many small-batch makers are there? There has to be dozens. I know of several high quality makes in the USA, and several in Germany & Austria, but outside of that, I am not well-versed in the small shops.

I wanted to start this thread and get an idea for your favorite boutique trumpet maker and why. There's no exact definition of boutique; mostly just handmade, small-batch or custom. I think I would like to focus on trumpets which you can currently order new from the manufacturer, or can still readily find in the used marketplace but are no longer produced (i.e., Lawler, Calicchio, etc).

My experience with my Thein has been very positive so far. Despite being very heavy and not-at-all aesthetically pleasing, it is extremely responsive and in-tune. It's a real joy to play.
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jhatpro
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PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2022 7:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My main ax is a terrific custom Bb made by Mark Geelan whose shop is in the Netherlands.

Here’s a link to his website:

https://www.mgtrumpets.com/
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Brassnose
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Joined: 07 Mar 2016
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Location: Germany

PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 11:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My main horns are the two Bb in the signature. The Schmidt is the most wonderful instrument I have played to date and I DEFINITELY recommend anyone who is in Potsdam to visit Martin and Lukas at their shop. If you check out their website you’ll see a statement that the company has built ca. 700 instruments between 1987 and 2020, I think. Very small scale, very professional, and very cool.

https://www.martin-schmidt-potsdam.de/

I wrote this in an earlier thread: the models on their website are not the whole program. They will also build other variants if so desired.

In Germany alone there are dozens of makers, trying a list here but will likely forget someone 🥳 Needless to say I want to visit everyone but haven’t had the chance to do so.

https://www.petersik-instruments.com/

https://thein-brass.de/

http://www.kromatbrass.de/D-kromatbrass_de/d-kromatbrass_de.html

https://meisterinstrumente-kroning.de/

https://www.metallblasinstrumentenbau-josiger.de/

http://www.hm-trompeten.de/me/me.htm

http://www.dobberstein-brass.de/html/trompeten.html

https://www.saller-meisterwerke.de/

https://www.schorre-instrumentenbau.de/

https://krinner-instrumentenbau.de/

https://www.jordan-limburg.de/

http://www.bross-blasinstrumente.de/

https://vogt-instruments.com/

http://www.blechblasinstrumente.de/de/instrumente.php

https://www.kordick.com/

https://klangwerkstatt-boehme.de/de/

https://takao-nakagawa.de/

https://www.musikhaus-loebner.de/

https://www.simon-ferstl.de/

https://www.straub-trumpets.com/

https://www.weber-instrumente.de/instrumente/trompeten/

http://www.dowids.de/

https://www.buddenbohm.com/

https://willenberg-trompeten.de/

https://www.schmidt-brass.de/

https://www.voigt-brass.de/de/instrumente/trompeten-fluegelhoerner.html

https://www.hsm-brass.de/trompete.html

https://muellerfluegelhorn.de/
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2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
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1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
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1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
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Last edited by Brassnose on Thu Dec 01, 2022 11:11 am; edited 2 times in total
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nick8801
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Joined: 22 Dec 2009
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Location: NJ

PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 11:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's what I can think of at the moment...

Monette
AR Resonance
Lotus
Del Quadro
Van Laar
Martin Bohme
Thein
G&P
Taylor
Shires
Inderbinnen
Josh Landress
Harrelson
Don Miles
Agami
Romeo Adachi
Schagerl
Larson
Warburton
Posseger
Adams
Da Carbo


I'm sure I'm missing a bunch!
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Halflip
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Joined: 09 Jan 2003
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Location: WI

PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 12:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Since they haven't been mentioned yet, how about Eclipse, Thane, Scodwell, Oakes (still available used), and Melk?

I'll also mention a personal favorite -- Robb Stewart. He has made me three rather interesting and rare horns of his own design (a Caduceus pocket cornet, a circular flugelhorn with Vienna valves, and a 'pocket' flugelhorn with a beautiful wrap), as well as a a pocket conversion of a Martin Handcraft Imperial cornet and a restoration of a Cantabile pocket trumpet. I believe he is easing into semi-retirement but is still doing projects (if they are interesting), so it may still be possible to commission a horn from him. (However, his output is so small -- frequently one-off -- that finding one of his creations in the used marketplace is highly unlikely.)
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tptptp
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 6:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have 3 Lawlers and 2 Blackburns, which are all great instruments.
As you know, Roy Lawler doesn't make trumpets any more.
And, I don't know whether the Pickett-Blackburn product is as good as Cliff Blackburn's original horns are.
Neither Blackburns nor Lawlers show up for sale very often.
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Halflip
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 6:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just thought of two more: Schlub Brass Works and Best Brass (Japan).
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"He that plays the King shall be welcome . . . " (Hamlet Act II, Scene 2, Line 1416)

"He had no concept of the instrument. He was blowing into it." -- Virgil Starkwell's cello teacher in "Take the Money and Run"
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stuartissimo
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 12:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

jhatpro wrote:
My main ax is a terrific custom Bb made by Mark Geelan whose shop is in the Netherlands.

Here’s a link to his website:

https://www.mgtrumpets.com/

Can second this, he’s a great craftsman. He revised the valves on my Olds a while back and the result was amazing. While I was there I got a chance try out a prototype of his soon-to-be-released horn design and it was a blast to play.
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giakara
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 6:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have 3 Lawlers and I use them as my main horns since 2004 , i have a big collection of horns (more than twenty) modern and vintage and i had own and try numerous Bb's like Calicchio, Van Laar, Schagerl,,Schilke, Selmer, Kanstul but my Lawlers are the best for me , recently my beloved 2003 TL5-1A have drop from a stand on a wooden floor, it don't look something serious and there was not any visible damage but when I played the second valve was sticky and all the second position notes are flat and funky , obviously something happens, now the horn is in the way to Schagerl repair shop and now I play my second TL5-1A and I think how lucky I am to have this backup and specially those days of Christmas that I have numerous gigs...

Regards
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Lawler TL6-1A Bb 2004
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Brassnose
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 12:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thought of two more folks in Germany

https://josefgopp.de/

https://www.kroeger-trumpets.com/#/
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2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 Kühnl & Hoyer Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
1951 Buescher 400 Lightweight
AR Resonance, Klier, Curry
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Zman
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 2:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

These are the people I have used/owned over the years:

Josh Landress Brass
https://www.jlandressbrass.com/
He has his own line of horns, has consulted with several factories and can also make/restore whatever you want. He's popular so wait times vary. I've had at least half a dozen custom horns from Josh and they are all killer!

Divitt Trumpets
https://www.divitt-trumpets.com/divitt-trumpets.html
Ewan has made a couple of custom Bb horns (BC 1 and BC 2) for me and they are great!
He also has a few models to choose from and has just opened his own store in Toronto. Definitely worth a look.

Taylor Trumpets
https://taylortrumpets.com/
Have owned 3 Chicago horn and still own 1x Lite II - really, really like these horns and considering getting a couple of Hybrids made up with parts I own.
Some of the nicest style horns IMO (not for everyone) and they have a signature tone to them.

Harrelson Trumpets
https://www.whyharrelson.com/
I've owned his early stuff (which I still think is some of his best work) - think 908, 907 models and also the 1st version of the Summit.
I would never order a custom horn through them again as that was quite the ride and I found it difficult to discuss what I wanted - but I would consider a second hand early version as they are very good horns.
I like the style and own a bunch of old parts that I bought from the factory to modify my own stuff. (finger rings, braces etc)
One of the makers out there pushing some interesting ideas and styles using the latest tech to make horns instead of the more traditional way.
(HT models with the thin U shaped brace were really not great - tried a couple of those and really didn't like them).

Benchmark Trumpets
https://www.benchmarktrumpets.com/
One man band who makes everything in-house. Ex Schilke. I own one of the early Prototype Piccs and it's very well made.
Yet to try the Bb model.

Scodwell Trumpets
https://www.scodwellusa.com/
Owned one of the Bb's and still regret selling it.
Have dealt with Tony again on some other projects and nothing but good vibes. Only downside is payment options are limited to a few.
He does know how to assemble a very nice playing horn though - a lot riding on testing and re-testing plus a bell annealing process. He's horns have a lot of zip.

Ones I am watching with interest.....

Puje Trumpets
http://www.pujetrumpet.com/
Haven't pulled the trigger on one yet - but will most likley. Have spoken with Brent numerous times and he's really into what he does. The quality of work keeps getting better and better. Latest custom horns use Taylor Bells.

Thane Trumpets
https://thanetrumpets.com/bbtrumpets
Surely after working with a major boutique maker for a number of years would have picked up a few tweaks/secrets here and there?

Your other option is to find a good tech in your area and have them build you a horn.

Those are my 2 cents on the subject.
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