Usually, the ones who are always looking for trouble will find it in almost everything they read including the link that I posted. I found several interesting things which prompted me to post this link, however.
Andy is a family man. What other trumpet maker will post a picture of himself with his son?
Andy got his start in making horns at a young age. Andy received training from a reputable company (Paxmans) and he ENJOYED it. I might add that he still enjoys making horns which is saying a lot compared with those who are in the business just for the money.
He specialized in making bells and had an interest in the theoretical, acoustical and design aspects of the instruments. In short, he wanted to know more about how it worked, why it worked, and how to make it work. Andy learned a lot about the physics of brass instruments from the Paxmans' horn designer (Richard Merewether). Personally speaking, in the horns that I asked Andy to make for me, at every idea I had in what I wanted in the horn, Andy would tell me how it would sound; so, I then was informing him as to what sound I wanted and he would tell me what needed to be done in the horn. I might add that this goes for the mpcs that he makes as well.
Andy was involved in the prototyping of new models at Paxmans and one can see even now that Andy is very prolific in making new model trumpets, cornets, flugel horns, etc.
It was also interesting to note that Andy worked as a professional musician when the UK recession started. It was at this point that he got the idea of making his own horns...the trumpet. Andy said, "Lets face it, after 15 years of making French horns, the trumpet is a relatively simple brass instrument!" Take note where/how Andy got his concept of sound for the trumpet: "It was apparent fairly early in their development, that they had a warmer sound than regular trumpets, the French horn input, maybe! The 'reference' sound in my head was that of Wynton."
Lastly, Andy stated: "A pick-up truck with a big engine might go like a rocket, but it doesn't make it a Ferrari, because it doesn't look like a Ferrari." So, if you want to liken his trumpets to a VW with a fibreglass Ferrari shell which is the complete opposite of what Andy stated, then for sure you are looking for trouble if not already creating it yourself.
Liad