the musician. At the heart of Taylor Trum- pets is a small, close-knit operation and its Taylor Custom Shop led by its founder. A musician himself, Andy’s journey into instrument making dates back to his early days at Paxman Horns, where he honed his skills in crafting brass instruments. Andy’s approach to building his team was just as unconventional as his in- struments. Rather than solely recruiting seasoned trumpet makers, he brought in craftsmen from outside the traditional brass world. “Andy wanted these instruments to be unique, and he was happy that he recruited some team members who were not neces- sarily trumpet makers or players, because he wanted them to get into his line of think- ing about what a trumpet should look and sound like,” Good said. Each horn holds its own value, not just because of its craftsmanship, but because no two are exactly alike. While Taylor offers specific models, such as the sought-after Phat Boy or Piranha, every trumpet is a unique creation, distinguished by subtle variations that come from the handcraft- ing process. “Although there are specific models, you are unlikely to find two Taylor Pi- ranhas that are exactly the same,” Good said. “It’s handmade in the U.K., so it has that distinctive character and it has that build quality, which is world renowned. Andy doesn’t put his name on it unless he is entirely satisfied with the product that is going out. He gets sight of every horn because he’s had his hands on it during the manufacturing process.” “Our core customer is still the enthusiast looking for tone — with style thrown in for good measure,” Andy said. “A Taylor will help you achieve that tone you’ve always been looking for.” PRODUCT LINEUP EXPANSION AHEAD At the core of Taylor’s lineup stands the Piranha, the brand’s leading model and what Good describes as its “flagship and standard-bearer.” What makes the Piranha so special is not just its build quality, but its adaptability. “You can customize the model,” Good explained. “It’s probably the instrument that enjoys the most prominence with players far and wide. Many start with a Piranha and then explore other models, like the Taylor Chicago, if they need something a little lighter, or the Phat Boy, which offers a different tonal character.”
As Taylor Trumpets continues to push boundaries in craftsmanship and innova- tion, the brand is making its presence felt at major events across the industry. This year, Taylor was represented at the North American Brass Band Championships in early April, followed by a strong show- ing at The International Trumpet Guild conference in Salt Lake City in May. Beyond getting out and meeting play- ers at industry events, Taylor Trumpets is also expanding its lineup with new models. This year, the Phat Boy Signature
Flugelhorn is set to make its debut — a model that leans slightly more conven- tional in design yet still delivers the bold, resonant Phat Boy sound that has become a hallmark of the brand. Additionally, Taylor is preparing to launch its new Vulcan trumpet, further diversifying its catalog. “It’s an exciting time because things have continued to move forward,” Good said. “There are new models coming on stream, and Andy is still at the heart of it all.” MI
JUNE 2025 I MUSIC INC. I 13
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