In August 1973, Gottfried Büchel began his apprenticeship as a brass instrument maker at Wilhelm Monke in Cologne, Germany. In 1976, he successfully passed his journeyman’s examination at the Cologne Chamber of Skilled Crafts. He then spent approximately four years working as a journeyman at Wilhelm Monke. In 1980, he moved to Josef Monke GmbH, a company he had already become very familiar with during his apprenticeship.
In 1982, he registered for his master craftsman examination in Düsseldorf, which he successfully completed in 1983 with the highest annual distinction. For his master craftsman project, he built a six-valve F tuba made of gold brass.
In May 1983, Gottfried Büchel opened a specialist workshop and retail business for brass instruments and accessories in Bonn-Beuel. Initially, the business was located on the ground floor of his private residence. A few years later, he acquired his grandfather’s former workshop building and had it extensively renovated and converted to meet the specific requirements of brass instrument making. Gottfried Büchel continues to run the workshop successfully to this day. The photographs below show the original storage building as it appeared around 1992.
His customers include professional and amateur musicians, as well as pupils and university students.
From 1998 to 2007, Mr. Josef Helmich worked at the workshop. He brought with him more than 60 years of professional experience in brass instrument making. His exceptional craftsmanship and extensive expertise made him well known among musicians. In recognition of his dedication to training apprentices, he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz).
The following photographs show the workshop as it looks today.
In 2012, his son Michael Büchel also successfully completed his apprenticeship as a brass instrument maker. He completed the practical part of his training in his father’s workshop. Since graduating, he has been working here as a full-time member of the team.
