Good players command sophisticated instruments. They know the sounds they like to hear and want an instrument with a wide range so they can forget the mechanics and concentrate on making music. Skilled musicians can tell the difference between handmade and ready-made.

Musical needs vary from playing jazz and chamber music, to recording in a studio. No two players are the same or have the same requirements. In order to provide a sound suitable for individual musicians, we have scientifically designed a wide choice of compatible bells, bores and leadpipes to meet almost any conceivable musical and physical playing need.

Finding exactly the right instrument is where our expertise comes in. We can measure your old instrument, and find a similar one from our own range, and make any changes to achieve the required characteristics. This is a unique service.

Since 2005 we have been contractors to the Ministry of Defence and have designed, made and supplied specialist brass instruments to most of the British military bands.

Richard Smith

Richard Smith wrote a doctoral thesis on trumpet acoustics before joining Boosey and Hawkes, where he worked for 12 years as chief designer and technical manager responsible for the world famous Besson brass range.

He designed several Besson Sovereign instruments, including the original trumpets used by Derek Watkins and John Wallace, trombones for Roy Williams and Don Lusher, and the cornets used by most brass and military bands.

Richard's research work into acoustics, testing and development of brass instruments has been widely publicised in the scientific literature and on TV and radio, and he has travelled in Europe, the United States and Japan, testing instruments with top professional symphonic and session players.

The 'Soloist' cornet was awarded Millennium Product Status in 2000 and in 2008 Richard was made an Honorary Fellow of the College of Science and Engineering, University of Edinburgh in recognition of his collaborative work on the measurement and understanding of the acoustics of brass instruments.

Richard moved to North Yorkshire in 2005 and this year, with Derek, celebrates 25 years of designing and making the Smith-Watkins instruments.

Derek Watkins

Derek Watkins has an international reputation as one of the best all-round trumpet players.

He has played for Johnny Dankworth, Maynard Ferguson, Benny Goodman, Ted Heath and Frank Sinatra and the James Last Orchestra.

He regularly plays for TV shows and has also given concerts and made recordings with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Recent recordings include a solo album 'Increased Demand' and sound tracks for the Batman and James Bond movies.

He has worked with Richard Smith on instrument development since 1974, and has helped to test every aspect of the new Smith-Watkins design