Josef Dotzauer Historical Brass Instruments

January 2024 Pricelist


Rotary Valve Trumpets & Flügelhorns

For detailed information about rotary valve trumpets in general, please see our ASW information bulletin A Player's Guide to Rotary Valve Trumpets.

Dotzauer rotary valve trumpets are custom-made to individual order by two skilled craftsmen in their workshop. The models produced exclusively for Antique Sound Workshop have been tailored specifically to meet the needs and tastes of the demanding American orchestral player. They feature much more accurate response and intonation than other instruments costing two to three times as much. These excellent instruments, carefully made with the finest materials and highest level of workmanship, are intended for discriminating professional players, yet their prices are appreciably lower than many other custom makers. Unlike most German brasswind makers, Dotzauer produces every part of their instruments, including the rotary valve mechanism and the hand-spun bell, in-house to exacting specifications. Each instrument is play-tested by Jürgen Dotzauer, a skilled performer as well as craftsman, before delivery.

You don't have to take our word for the excellence of Dotzauer instruments. One satisfied customer wrote: "Thank you for providing excellent Meister Dotzauer brass instruments, notable for the materials used, the workmanship, and the downright value you offer. You have sent me, and I am eagerly working on, three rotary-valve horns: a B-flat trumpet, a standard (or `long') fluegelhorn, and a Kuhlo (or `short') fluegelhorn. Please convey my gratitude to the Dotzauers for the quality of their instruments and the evident care which went into their construction. I'm particularly grateful for your persuading me to try the Kuhlohorn, which I have already baptized by playing an obbligato to an anthem in a Lutheran church service and later by using it as my main instrument on a combo jazz/dance job. One might question whether I'm playing it or it is playing me. A happy collaboration from the start." C. T., Olympia, WA.

Another recent purchaser of a Dotzauer low F trumpet wrote, "A beautifully finished instrument – everyone who has seen it so far has said 'Wow!'" Everything works fine & (in particular) the tuning slides are a beautiful fit... The sound of the instrument is quite simply stunning. It does all that your website material claims and more. You are also quite right in your assertion that the extra length of tubing goes some considerable way towards allowing the production of a more Baroque-Trumpet-like sound, especially with certain mouthpieces. This instrument is amazing... I can play a full 3-octave range... The sound is magnificent & I am absolutely thrilled to bits with it." C. P., Crewe, Cheshire, England.

We attempt to keep most standard models, including Bb and C trumpets, Kuhlo and standard flügelhorns, Bb/A piccolo trumpets, low F trumpets, and bass trumpets, in stock for immediate delivery. We always have additional instruments on order, but occasionally we are sold out of specific models. Custom orders are always welcome, but the delivery times can be quite protracted. Please call for current availability before placing your order.

Instrument Features Price
C trumpet yellow brass, standard bore, bronze valve casings 2,447.00
gold brass, standard bore, nickel-silver valve casings 2,797.00
gold brass, standard bore, with 3rd valve trigger & nickel-silver valve casings 3,129.00
NEW gold brass, large bore Cologne model, with 3rd valve trigger
nickel-silver valve casings, triple-articulated valve linkages
3,697.00
upcharge for engraved nickel-silver Heckel bell garland, all models 152.00
fitted case for all Dotzauer C trumpets 157.00
Bb trumpet yellow brass, standard bore, bronze valve casings 2,447.00
gold brass, standard bore, nickel-silver valve casings 2,797.00
gold brass, standard bore, with 3rd valve trigger & nickel-silver valve casings 3,129.00
NEW gold brass, large bore Cologne model, with 3rd valve trigger
nickel-silver valve casings, triple-articulated valve linkages, two mouthpipes
3,697.00
upcharge for engraved nickel-silver Heckel bell garland, all models 94.00
fitted case for all Dotzauer Bb trumpets 157.00
low F trumpet yellow brass 3,160.00
upcharge for 3rd valve trigger 289.00
upcharge for engraved nickel-silver Heckel bell garland 152.00
fitted case for Dotzauer low F trumpet 137.00
D trumpet yellow brass 2,797.00
upcharge for 3rd valve trigger 289.00
upcharge for engraved nickel-silver Heckel bell garland 152.00
fitted case for Dotzauer D trumpet 157.00
Eb trumpet yellow brass 2,797.00
upcharge for 3rd valve trigger 289.00
upcharge for engraved nickel-silver Heckel bell garland 152.00
fitted case for Dotzauer Eb trumpet 157.00
Eb/D trumpet yellow brass 3,496.00
upcharge for engraved nickel-silver Heckel bell garland 152.00
fitted case for Dotzauer Eb/D trumpet 157.00
Bb/A piccolo trumpet deluxe model, goldbrass, 4 valves
nickel-silver valve casings, three mouthpipes
4,020.00
fitted case for Dotzauer Bb/A piccolo trumpet 157.00
Bb flügelhorn deluxe model, yellow brass 2,823.00
gold brass, with 3rd valve trigger & nickel-silver valve casings 3,697.00
fitted case for Dotzauer flügelhorn 157.00
Bb flügelhorn, compact model
(Kuhlohorn)
deluxe model, yellow brass 2,823.00
gold brass, with 3rd valve trigger & nickel-silver valve casings 3,697.00
fitted case for Dotzauer Kuhlo model flügelhorn 157.00
Bb tenor trumpet yellow brass 4,907.00
Bb bass trumpet yellow brass 4,907.00
gold brass 5,042.00
fitted case for Dotzauer Bb bass trumpet 297.00
mouthpieces for Dotzauer rotary valve trumpets silverplated brass, three sizes: 1½ C, 3C, 7C 63.00
mouthpieces for Dotzauer rotary valve flügelhorns
can also be used on rotary valve trumpets
silverplated brass, three sizes: 1½ C, 3C, 7C 79.00

Rotary valve instruments have a reputation for being much more trouble-prone than piston valves; this, however, is not necessarily true. Rotary valve instruments can be trouble-free if they are properly housed and maintained by the player. The following suggestions should be followed scrupulously if your instrument is to provide a lifetime of trouble-free service:

1. Rotary valve instruments should be housed and transported in correctly-designed cases in order to avoid damage to the valve linkages. Under no circumstances should they be put into piston trumpet cases or gig bags, both of which can allow the valve linkages to be easily damaged. We offer well-made, custom-fitted cases for Dotzauer instruments and strongly recommend their use. They are cheap insurance for your valuable instrument.

2. Rotary valve mechanisms MUST be oiled frequently and correctly in order to avoid sticking valves, binding linkages, build-up of corrosion, premature wear, and consequent deterioration of intonation and response. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT THE CORRECT LUBRICANTS BE USED! Piston valve oil should not be used under any circumstances. You need to use three different lubricants that have been specially formulated for three different purposes. We offer high-quality rotary valve lubricants as a service to our customers and strongly recommend their use.

A. The valve rotors should be oiled using specially-formulated rotor oil, by removing each valve tuning slide in turn, holding the instrument with the stockings pointing up, putting the valve oil directly into each valve through the tuning slide stocking, and operating the valve lever several times to coat all the rotor surfaces. Please note that the valve lever should be depressed while the slide is being removed and replaced.

B. The valve spindles at both ends of the rotors should be oiled using rotary valve bearing oil. This procedure is much easier and neater if the oil is in a needle applicator. The valve caps must be removed to oil the lower end of the rotor shaft and should be replaced so that they are just barely snug and not overly tight. Remove and replace the valve caps one at a time, so that they are not mixed up. The other end of the rotor shaft can be easily accessed where it leaves the valve casing.

C. The articulated mechanical valve linkages between each valve lever and the valve rotor, as well as the valve lever spindle, should be oiled using rotary valve linkage lubricant. This is a rather thick and viscous oil. Very little is necessary, as too much will attract dirt and debris and cause the linkages to become worn. Any excess oil or lubricant should be wiped off the instrument with a soft cloth.


Hunting Horns

The Dotzauer workshop is renowned for its extensive line of hunting horns. These are instruments of high quality suitable for advanced performers, not merely "tourist quality" artifacts intended to be used solely for decorative purposes. The workmanship and materials are of the highest calibre, and the intonation, response, and tone quality are superior to most other makers of these instruments, yet the prices are extremely reasonable.

Instrument Features Price
Pocket hunting horn in Bb Deluxe model, nickel silver bell garland
genuine leather wrapping, silverplated mouthpiece
304.00
Fürst-Pleß post horn in Bb Standard model, imitation leather wrapping, no tuning slide, unlacquered 280.00
Standard model, genuine leather wrapping, no tuning slide, unlacquered 307.00
Standard model, genuine leather wrapping, with tuning slide, unlacquered 322.00
lacquering for above models 65.00
Deluxe model, wider bore, thicker wall, nickel silver bell garland, tuning slide
lacquered, genuine leather wrapping, silverplated mouthpiece
548.00
Meister model, gold brass, nickel silver bell garland, tuning slide
genuine leather wrapping, silverplated mouthpiece
593.00
Concert model, gold brass, nickel silver bell garland, tuning slide
lacquered, unwrapped, silverplated mouthpiece
1,003.00
XXL model, goldbrass, wider bore, larger bell, tuning slide
genuine leather wrapping, silverplated mouthpiece
1,003.00
Standard model, with three rotary valves, lacquered, imitation leather wrapping NLA
Deluxe model, with three rotary valves, genuine leather wrapping, lacquered 2,331.00
Meister model, goldbrass, with three rotary valves, genuine leather wrapping, lacquered 2,541.00
Meister model, goldbrass, with three rotary valves, no wrapping, lacquered 2,928.00
SKAI vinyl carrying bag 70.00
hard case, plush-lined 164.00
Parforce Bb horn, large model imitation leather wrapping NLA
genuine wrapping 1,169.00
Concert model, goldbrass, 31 cm bell, conical tuning slide, hand-hammered bell
unwrapped, silverplated mouthpiece, lacquered
1,888.00
Parforce Bb horn, small model imitation leather wrapping NLA
genuine leather wrapping 1,222.00
Parforce Eb horn, large model, Standard model, 27 cm bell, simple tuning slide
imitational leather wrapping, unplated mouthpiece, unlacquered
1,355.00
Deluxe model, 31 cm bell, conical tuning slide
genuine leather wrapping, silverplated mouthpiece, lacquered
1,651.00
Concert model, goldbrass, 27 or 31 cm bell, conical tuning slide, hand-hammered bell
unwrapped, silverplated mouthpiece, lacquered
2,190.00
Baroque model, light historical construction, 27 cm bell, conical tuning slide, hand-hammered bell
decorative bell garland, unwrapped, silverplated mouthpiece, lacquered, inside of bell painted or polished
2,114.00
Thuringian model, matt yellow brass, 27 cm bell, brown throat, nickel-silver garland on bell
genuine leather wrapping, silverplated mouthpiece, lacquered
2,223.00
1785 model, matt yellow brass, 27 cm bell, brown throat, nickel-silver garland on bell
genuine leather wrapping, silverplated mouthpiece, lacquered
2,349.00
Parforce double Eb/Bb horn Standard model NLA
Deluxe model 1,970.00
Meister model, goldbrass bell 2,069.00
Meister model, all goldbrass,unwrapped 2,846.00
Parforce Bb horn, small model 3 rotary valves 2,331.00
SKAI vinyl bag for small Parforce horn 145.00
Parforce Bb horn, large model 3 rotary valves 2,629.00
SKAI vinyl bag for large Parforce horn 156.00


French Horns

Instrument Features Price
Bb single horn brass, mechanical linkage 3,532.00
F single horn Eb slide 3,775.00
Bb/F double horn brass, mechanical linkage 7,204.00


Slide and Valve Trombones

Instrument Features Price
Eb or F alto trombone yellow brass 1,742.00
gold brass 2,296.00
Bb tenor trombone yellow brass 1,742.00
gold brass 2,217.00
Bb/F tenor trombone yellow brass NLA
Bb bass trombone yellow brass NLA
Bb rotary valve trombone yellow brass, three valves 3,324.00
Bb rotary valve trombone yellow brass, four valves 3,879.00


Rotary Valve Tenor, & Baritone Horns

Instrument Features Price
Bb tenor horn wide bore, yellow brass 3,626.00
wide bore, gold brass 3,879.00
Bb baritone horn yellow brass, 3 valves 3,942.00
yellow brass, 4 valves 4,412.00
gold brass, 3 valves 4,734.00
gold brass, 4 valves 5,462.00
Bb Kaiser baritone yellow brass, 3 valves 4,417.00
yellow brass, 4 valves 5,066.00
gold brass, 3 valves 5,462.00
gold brass, 4 valves 6,000.00
upcharge for bell garland 237.00
upcharge for sterling silver mouthpipe 475.00


Rotary Valve Tubas

Instrument Features Price
BBb tuba 1/4 size, 3 valves NLA
1/4 size, 4 valves 7,837.00
1/2 size, 3 valves NLA
1/2 size, 4 valves 8,629
4/4 size, 4 valves NLA
5/4 size, 4 valves 10,212.00
upcharge for gold brass, all tubas +50%


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