Best posts made by Mr. Spock

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".