Russell Gilmour: Natural Trumpet Maker

Following in the illustrious footsteps of Frank Tomes (1936–2011) and David Staff (1958–2026), Russell Gilmour makes handmade natural trumpets closely based on originals by Johann Leonhart Ehe III, William Bull, and others.
What began as an interest in brass instrument repair in 2010 (with the maker, restorer, and collector Frank Tomes) progressed into an in-depth natural trumpet-making apprenticeship with master-craftsman David Staff from 2015. Graham Nicholson also had an encouraging influence, particularly in the field of engraving.
Russell served as David Staff's apprentice and hand engraver for 11 years before taking over his atelier in 2026. In that same year Russell completed an ambitious project, supported by Arts Council England, to study with some of the finest silversmiths and engravers in Great Britain. He studied hand engraving with Malcolm Appleby, chasing and repoussé with Miriam Hanid, and silversmithing with Julian Stephens and Ray Walton.
Russell took over David Staff's workshop in October 2026 and began making and selling trumpets. His instrument making combines his experiences of high-level performing, as well as practical research and years of study for his innovative book 'Just' Natural Trumpet. This approach allows him to offer instruments that combine historical accuracy with innate professional utility.
Russell's natural trumpets are hand built from start to finish, and he offers a plethora of highly finessed interchangeable components that will convert the historical corpus of the trumpet for use with finger holes.

Lineage

A lineage of craftsmanship, with skills and techniques passed from master to apprentice, from Frank Tomes to David Staff and now Russell Gilmour, carrying forward the tradition of natural trumpet making.
  • David Staff and Frank Tomes <br> (Photograph by Russell Gilmour)

    David Staff and Frank Tomes
    (Photograph by Russell Gilmour)

  • Russell Gilmour and Frank Tomes <br> (Photograph by David Staff)

    Russell Gilmour and Frank Tomes
    (Photograph by David Staff)

  • David Staff and Russell Gilmour

    David Staff and Russell Gilmour

  • Trumpet Maker Frank Tomes

    Francis James Tomes (1936–2011)

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    Frank Tomes trained as a nautical model maker and sculptor before spending forty years working as a teacher and technician at Wimbledon School of Art. He also played sousaphone with Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band. His passion for collecting historic brass instruments led him to study repair and conservation, laying the foundations for his own instrument making. Initially making sackbuts and serpent crooks for Christopher Monk, he later established his own workshop, producing hundreds of sackbuts and natural trumpets and maintaining a meticulous inventory of his work.
  • Trumpet Maker David Staff

    David John Staff (1958–2026)

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    David became apprentice to Frank Tomes in 2007, established his own workshop at Needham Lodge in Suffolk in 2009, and took over Frank's workshop in 2011. His expertise as a professional trumpet player informed significant advances in his instrument making workshop, building on Tomes' fine reputation. David refined trumpet-making techniques, crafted exceptional mouthpieces, and moved to using entirely handmade tubing for his instruments. He continued to make natural trumpets and oboe da caccia bells until his death in September 2026.
  • Trumpet Maker Russell Gilmour

    Russell David Gilmour (1988–)

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