Many of the companies and craftsmen mentioned here are not capable of making a horn start-to-finish under their own roof. Harrelson, Puje, and Taylor use CarolBrass blocks, many makers use Kanstul or Anderson bells. Many fine horns are built on Getzen valves, including Del Quadro, Edwards, and early Monette. While you can debate whether or not these horns are really "handmade" (I would still argue that they are), they aren't built solely by their maker. As far as craftsmen who do bells and valves in-house and put their own name on their horns, I would limit this list to Calicchio, early Benge, Monette, New York Bach, Landress, Kanstul, Spiri, Inderbinen, Shires, Akright, Marcinkiewicz, Schagerl, Benchmark, and early Schilke. You could probably make an argument for Thane, Lawler, Possegger, and Taylor (among others) to be added to the list as well, but they outsource valve blocks. Just because a horn isn't named after its builder, or if the bell, lead pipe, and valves aren't all made in the same place doesn't make a horn less worthy. I'd rather play on a horn that takes advantage of the best building techniques available and is intelligently designed. That being said, nothing is cooler than holding an old Calicchio and hearing the old man's words, "This is my life's work. For this, I will be remembered".

I was under the impression that Schagerl made their own valves. I know they have some horns assembled in Taiwan to save on cost, but I assume that their Meister Instrumente series are entirely Austrian-made. Can anyone verify?

I'd say pre-owned carol brass is hard to beat on performance to price ratio. Early Elkhart Bachs (prior to 1975) are usually tremendous horns that can be had at a good price too. Connstellations are great if you can get an Elkhart-made horn for under $900.

Many of the companies and craftsmen mentioned here are not capable of making a horn start-to-finish under their own roof. Harrelson, Puje, and Taylor use CarolBrass blocks, many makers use Kanstul or Anderson bells. Many fine horns are built on Getzen valves, including Del Quadro, Edwards, and early Monette. While you can debate whether or not these horns are really "handmade" (I would still argue that they are), they aren't built solely by their maker. As far as craftsmen who do bells and valves in-house and put their own name on their horns, I would limit this list to Calicchio, early Benge, Monette, New York Bach, Landress, Kanstul, Spiri, Inderbinen, Shires, Akright, Marcinkiewicz, Schagerl, Benchmark, and early Schilke. You could probably make an argument for Thane, Lawler, Possegger, and Taylor (among others) to be added to the list as well, but they outsource valve blocks. Just because a horn isn't named after its builder, or if the bell, lead pipe, and valves aren't all made in the same place doesn't make a horn less worthy. I'd rather play on a horn that takes advantage of the best building techniques available and is intelligently designed. That being said, nothing is cooler than holding an old Calicchio and hearing the old man's words, "This is my life's work. For this, I will be remembered".