Originally Posted by Indian

I think they were the best major manufacturer. This does not mean that Conn, Martin and others were lacking. What do I mean by best? They had the most advanced testing lab for fine tuning, intonation and horn design. They had some if not the best engravers of the period. Quality of design and build was second to none and even their standard models were the equivalent of most of today’s pro level horns. I have HN White horns from the early 1920s and the valve plating looks like it is only just seated. The horn has been played as a pro horn up until the 1930s so it had plenty of time for wear to occur. They had symphony horns to blend in with orchestral groups, sizzling lead horns like the SilverTone Libertys to punch out the sound in big bands, they had it all. HN White would custom build horns also. I think as a total package they supported the pro level players to higher degree and that is why so many pros used horns made by them. Harry James, Charlie Shavers, Ziggy Elman, Dizzy Gillespie and many more pros played HN White horns. The old site had sound clips of these pros to listen to as you browsed the site. I love and own other makes of horns as well but I always end up on a HN White when it counts.