Company Category: Brass

Taylor Trumpets enjoys an international reputation for producing stunning, hand-crafted trumpets, cornets and flugelhorns in the UK, which are performed all over the world. The company’s founder, Andy Taylor, has been in the music business for around 50 years. Armed with little more than a few GCSEs and a keen interest in art, music and making things, Andy began his career as an apprentice brass musical instrument maker with the French horn manufacturers Paxman’s, in London. After several years getting a broad training on instrument construction, and developing a keen interest in the theoretical, acoustical and design aspects of the instruments, Andy became involved in the prototyping of new models and the new ideas that Paxman’s was working on. Following a stint working as a professional musician and supplying bells to other brass instrument makers as ‘Bellman Brass’, Andy began building prototype trumpets to his own design. A meeting with an American instrument dealer heralded a turning point; not only in name, but also in design. Bellman brass trumpets became ‘Taylor’, with a new and distinctive styling, and a rich dark tone, which appealed to the American market. Taylor Trumpets are a popular choice for musicians wanting a big, jazzy presence.

Sterling Musical Instruments was founded in the UK in 1987, with a focus on producing brass instruments tailored to the traditions of the British style brass band. In its early years, the company drew upon the expertise of several former Boosey & Hawkes craftsmen, which enabled Sterling to establish itself quickly within the brass band market as a maker of hand built, high quality instruments. As the company grew, it recognised a shift in demand: many musicians no longer wanted standard, “off the shelf” models, but sought instruments that reflected their own playing style and individual requirements. In response, Sterling developed the Virtuoso Range, a line that allowed performers to customise their instruments to meet their personal needs. The company’s founder, Paul Riggett, an accomplished brass musician himself brought with him extensive knowledge and experience. Before establishing Sterling, Riggett had served as Manufacturing Manager at Boosey & Hawkes Ltd, where he gained unparalleled expertise in the design and production of professional brass instruments. His vision and craftsmanship laid the foundation for Sterling’s enduring reputation in the brass band world.