Kühnl & Hoyer

Kühnl & Hoyer is a German manufacturer of brass instruments based in Markt Erlbach in Middle Franconia. Founded in 1948 by Adolf Kühnl, Josef Kühnl and Emil Hoyer after the war and their expulsion from the Sudetenland, the company began by producing piston-valve trumpets and repairing brass instruments in the clubhouse of the local rifle association. Over more than seven decades it has grown into a specialist manufactory known for handcrafted trumpets, trombones and related brass instruments, with a strong emphasis on combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. The firm describes itself as an experienced and innovative manufacturer of brass instruments, employing around 25 people and relying on 100% manufacturing in Germany. It collaborates with brass experts such as Malte Burba, Branimir Slokar and Bart van Lier for instrument development, and its instruments are used by professional players including Till Brönner. Kühnl & Hoyer has won the German Musical Instrument Award multiple times, most recently in 2021 for the Bb/F tenor trombone "Bolero" with "open-flow" valve, and previously in 2019 for the Bb trumpet "Topline G" and in 1993 for the Bb trumpet "Sella G". The company remains a family business now in its fourth generation. Dieter Kühnl serves as managing director, supported by his daughter Manuela Kühnl and son-in-law Ralf Waidhas-Kühnl. Its product range includes trumpets, trombones and other brass instruments, with notable models such as the "Edith" Bb tenor trombone developed with Nils Wogram. Kühnl & Hoyer positions itself as a German manufactory delivering consistently high quality for a unique sound and playing pleasure.

Kühnl & Hoyer was founded in 1948 in the municipality of Markt Erlbach in Middle Franconia, Germany, by Adolf Kühnl, Josef Kühnl and Emil Hoyer. The founders had been expelled from the Sudetenland after the war and started the business with little more than their traditional knowledge of brass instrument construction. The local rifle association made its clubhouse available as a production site, and the company began by making piston-valve trumpets and repairing brass instruments. After the 1948 currency reform, the founders adapted their factory equipment to technical progress and expanded the product range. Growing demand for Kühnl & Hoyer instruments led to the construction of a new production plant in 1952, featuring technically sophisticated production rooms while preserving the art of hand instrument making. A further extension was added in 1957. Co-founder Emil Hoyer retired in 1962. Adolf and Josef Kühnl continued the business before handing it over to the next generation of the Kühnl family. The company is now managed by Dieter Kühnl as managing director, supported by his daughter Manuela Kühnl and son-in-law Ralf Waidhas-Kühnl, who are preparing to take over. The family business is now in its fourth generation. Over the decades, Kühnl & Hoyer has earned recognition for its craftsmanship and innovation. It has won the German Musical Instrument Award multiple times, including in 1993 for the Bb trumpet "Sella G", in 2019 for the Bb trumpet "Topline G", and in 2021 for the Bb/F tenor trombone "Bolero" with "open-flow" valve — its eighth such award. The company collaborates with renowned brass experts such as Malte Burba, Branimir Slokar and Bart van Lier, and its instruments are played by professionals including Till Brönner. It continues to manufacture brass instruments entirely in Germany, emphasizing a balance of craftsmanship and technology.

• 2021

  Bb/F tenor trombone "Bolero" with "open-flow" valve wins German Musical Instrument Award, the 8th for the company.

• 2019

  Bb trumpet "Topline G" wins German Musical Instrument Award.

• 1993

  Bb trumpet "Sella G" wins German Musical Instrument Award.

• 1962

  Co-founder Emil Hoyer retires; Adolf and Josef Kühnl continue the business.

• 1957

  Factory building extended again.

• 1952

  New production plant built to accommodate growing demand.

• 1948

  Company founded in Markt Erlbach by Adolf Kühnl, Josef Kühnl and Emil Hoyer; production of piston-valve trumpets and repairs begin.

Handcrafted German brass instruments manufactory combining tradition and technology, aimed at professional and serious amateur players.

• Bb/F tenor trombone "Bolero"

  Top model from the Bolero edition with "open-flow" valve; won German Musical Instrument Award 2021.

• Bb trumpet "Topline G"

  Won German Musical Instrument Award 2019.

• Bb trumpet "Sella G"

  Won German Musical Instrument Award 1993; praised as a Bb trumpet at a very high level.

• Bb tenor trombone "Edith" – model Nils Wogram

  Equipped with a large bell (220 mm) and lightweight nickel silver slide (bore 13.4 mm); versatile tonal flexibility.

1. 1Blechblasinstrumente Metallblasinstrumente Kühnl & Hoyer GmbHkuehnl-hoyer.de
2. 2Geschichte unserer Manufakturkuehnl-hoyer.de
3. 3Kühnl & Hoyerwikidata.org