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Trumpet Player · 06-22-2004, 02:02 PM

Hi all:

It's comforting to read that Mr. Duda is staying true to the course!

A completely handmade trumpet in the old fashoned, hard working ethic that Dominick had started. He could have gone down the mass production road and marketed a few fancy titled models like the "super excaliber high note model" but he didn't. I think it is very nice and rare in this bussiness that someone comes along with the older personalized attention to detail and not just be out for the money, but he seems to be about keeping true to the legend of Dominick and making the best horns or dare I say even better horns than Dominick.

I just have a few questions about his manufacturing of the horns.

Does he truly make everything handmade and in house. Some companies say they are handmade by them but they really send out for different parts like the valve blocks and "assemble" them in house. (Lawler) I heard that Zig Kanstul makes a lot of horns for companies under their own labels. Zig is a master and I'm sure he will bring a great deal of craftmanship and integrity to any company or line of instruments. I'm just saying the descriptions that different brands use are misleading sometimes. "Handcrafted" "hand adjusted" "Hand tuned" "hand adjusted bell and leadpipe"?

I think John Duda is a true "craftsman" and a true craftsman doesn't need to use these descriptive words in their marketing. He just takes his time and produces less horns but makes all the parts himself by hand.

At least I think he does.

So I guess this is my question: does Duda truly make everything under his one roof in Tulsa.
Even the plating of the horns?

I'm not sure if there is a difference I just think that if a horn is made in one place, the metal is formed and is assembled and plated under the same roof by the same group of guy's it makes a better product.

It is reassuring as a player that if I call up the shop and a few doors down is the machiene room and the plating room and the guy's working in those areas can be talked to by Dave right after he talks to me if he felt he needed to for any reason.

But that is just my humble opinion.

Just wondering, James (Trumpet Player)

06-22-2004, 02:02 PM	#17 (permalink)
Trumpet Player New Friend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New York/ New Jersey area Posts: 24	John Duda.... Hi all: It's comforting to read that Mr. Duda is staying true to the course! A completely handmade trumpet in the old fashoned, hard working ethic that Dominick had started. He could have gone down the mass production road and marketed a few fancy titled models like the "super excaliber high note model" but he didn't. I think it is very nice and rare in this bussiness that someone comes along with the older personalized attention to detail and not just be out for the money, but he seems to be about keeping true to the legend of Dominick and making the best horns or dare I say even better horns than Dominick. I just have a few questions about his manufacturing of the horns. Does he truly make everything handmade and in house. Some companies say they are handmade by them but they really send out for different parts like the valve blocks and "assemble" them in house. (Lawler) I heard that Zig Kanstul makes a lot of horns for companies under their own labels. Zig is a master and I'm sure he will bring a great deal of craftmanship and integrity to any company or line of instruments. I'm just saying the descriptions that different brands use are misleading sometimes. "Handcrafted" "hand adjusted" "Hand tuned" "hand adjusted bell and leadpipe"? I think John Duda is a true "craftsman" and a true craftsman doesn't need to use these descriptive words in their marketing. He just takes his time and produces less horns but makes all the parts himself by hand. At least I think he does. So I guess this is my question: does Duda truly make everything under his one roof in Tulsa. Even the plating of the horns? I'm not sure if there is a difference I just think that if a horn is made in one place, the metal is formed and is assembled and plated under the same roof by the same group of guy's it makes a better product. It is reassuring as a player that if I call up the shop and a few doors down is the machiene room and the plating room and the guy's working in those areas can be talked to by Dave right after he talks to me if he felt he needed to for any reason. But that is just my humble opinion. Just wondering, James (Trumpet Player)