Michael was an apprentice at the famous French Horn manufacturers Paxman of Covent Garden, London, before establishing his own business in Bradford in the north of England in 1992 in conjunction with Andy Hutchinson. Already with a burgeoning reputation for excellence in all types of brass instrument repair and customisation, attracting clients from across the United Kingdom, it wasn’t until the introduction of the R1 trombone in 1996, designed in consultation with leading jazz exponent Mark Nightingale, that Michael began to achieve the success that his and Andy’s many hours of hard work and attention to detail merited.

The success, and universal acclaim for the R1, quickly led to the expansion of the range over subsequent years. Demand for the instruments was such that in a move to a dedicated workshop space, with specialist facilities was called for. An old textile mill in Huddersfield was converted for the purpose.

For over twenty years, the name of Michael Rath has been synonymous with craftsmanship of the highest possible standards. With instruments currently being exported across the world, from Alaska to Australia, and played in a vast diversity of ensembles, trombones carrying the distinctive “R” symbol have proven themselves to be without equal.