Passion for Invention and Innovation

When he was young, Shinji Hamanaga had a dream of becoming a professional trumpeter, but he was also fascinated by the techniques of metal crafting. He learned the basic traditional techniques from a brass expert named Masanori Takahashi and decided to try making his own trumpet. He was motivated by the passion to make an instrument which he himself could play on. 3 years later: in January of 1981, Shinji finally completed his first trumpet, the “SH Special No. 01”. The first note on the trumpet was unforgettably sensational, and it was the opening of his passion for creating brass instruments.

In 1982 Shinji entered the Yamaha Corporation as a brass designer, and finished his yearlong training program in just six months. One of his first projects was the YBL-8XK2 bass trombone which was played in the Vienna Philharmonic. In 1984, both trumpeters of the Canadian Brass, Fred Mills and Ronald Romm, began using trumpets which incorporated designs by Shinji, and his skill in brass design was appreciated by Yamaha. This led to Shinji being appointed designer of one of the most difficult brass, the French Horn.
During his time as horn designer, Shinji was constantly inventing improvements such as the Dual Plane and Quattroporte valve systems.
At the same time that Shinji was creating so many successful new instrument designs from tubas to trumpets, he also developed a series of “Signature” brass mouthpieces together with world-renowned brass virtuosi. Furthermore, in 1995, Shinji invented an unprecedented product, the Silent Brass.
Altogether, in his seventeen and a half years as a Yamaha designer Shinji was awarded 17 patents in brass design, and he helped Yamaha develop over 70 different products.

Finally in 1999 on his 43rd birthday—and as a trumpet player himself—he knew it was time to realize his dream; "To create the worlds best brass instruments". With this in mind Shinji left Yamaha and founded Best Brass. This gave him total freedom to pursue his passion for innovation to create the highest quality brass accessories and trumpets; all powered by his remarkable talent and extensive experience.

Shinji’s passion for excellence has attracted similar minded people to join Best Brass. They also bring their own new vitality to the brand, and in fact are actually accelerating the pace of Best Brass innovations. Within their first ten years, Best Brass has far outpaced the number of patents Shinji received while at Yamaha.
All the crews in BEST BRASS every day challenge and strive for discovering the unknown “next-generation brass instruments” with our unique but supreme acoustic technology, which is based on abundant experiences of over three decades.
The mutes with unique and precise design: “Sound Transformers”
The mouthpiece with progressive two concepts: “The Groove Series”.
The instrument with the revolutionary valve system: “AIOLIA”, “ARTEMIS”, “APHRODITE”.
All of which are testaments to our endeavors and also challenges in the name of “BEST BRASS”.

Feature articles “Philosophy of Trumpet design by Shinji Hamanaga”
in Japanese brass magazine ‘Pipers’.
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3

YHR-667V designed by Shinji, which features an inventive Dual Plane Valve. Mr.Gerd Seifert played it Berlin Philharmonic.

YHR-9XX (F/B♭/d[d♭]/e) full Quattro horn designed by Shinji.
Mr.Johannes Ritzkowsky played on this instrument.

Company Logo
The Best Brass emblem proudly adorns all the trumpets, and was designed by founder Shinji Hamanaga. The wings symbolize far carrying tonal projection, while the various elements of the design are in the shape of brass components such as bells, mouthpieces, and tapered tubing. An exclamation mark hidden in the center hints at the innovation which is the heart of Best Brass.