Excellence is a standard which transcends the test of time. Since its inception, B.A.C. Musical Instruments has been the spearhead of innovation and craftsmanship that will rise above the rest.

History:

In the year 1999, a young musical instrument repair technician and budding musical instrument historian by the name of Mike Corrigan decided to dedicate his life to a career of musical instrument manufacturing and building. During a four year apprenticeship in the Boston, MA area, he began to realize the significance of the shrinking number of American musical instrument manufacturers, and the challenges they faced. Conversely, Corrigan saw an overwhelming demand in the marketplace for instruments produced during the "Golden Age" of American Musical Instrument Manufacturing (1930’s-1960’s). Having become an accomplished craftsmen, Corrigan developed a strong understanding for how  modern technologies had negatively impacted the sound quality and "character" found in the older vintage instruments. He envisioned a company that could produce ‘NEW’ instruments that would meet the demands of a modern day professional, yet satisfy the acoustical pallet found with these vintage American-made instruments. So in 2004, the Best American Craftsmen (B.A.C.) vision was born.

B.A.C. began in a small utility closet of Corrigan’s Overland Park, KS home. In 2007 the shop was moved to Olathe, Kansas. Finally, in 2014, Corrigan realized his dream to move the factory to downtown Kansas City, MO. We are now appropriately located in the "Historic Jazz District" off The Paseo, and across the street from 12th Street and Vine. (As referenced in the iconic Classic “Kansas City” - Here I Come - by Wilbert Harrison.)

To date, over 100 instruments have been hand-made by B.A.C. here in the heart of America. B.A.C. Instruments have been played by professionals the world over, and seen on television with musical groups including: Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center, Trombone Shorty, Bruno Mars, Kool and the Gang, Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Panic! At the Disco, Slightly Stoopid, O.A.R., Jay-Z,  NO BS Brass Band, John Legend, Snoop Dogg, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Paul the Trombonist, ROAR!, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, HBO’s Treme’ Sound Track, and many many more.

Timeline:

2001 : Following September 11th attack on New York, cutbacks at his job in Boston forced Corrigan to start moonlighting a repair shop. He called it "B.A.C. Horn Doctor." 

2004 : Corrigan relocated to the Kansas City area, and officially focused his energy building B.A.C. Horn Doctor in the basement of his Overland Park, KS home. 

2007 : After outgrowing his home repair shop, the company was moved to a 2400 sqf shop in Olathe, KS. 

2007 : The first B.A.C. Custom "Sackbut" was completed. 

2008 : Production began on the first commercial B.A.C. Jazz trombone. Elliot Mason of Jazz at Lincoln Center became B.A.C.'s first endorsing artist. 

2010 : B.A.C. attends first International Trombone Festival in Austin, TX. 

2011:  B.A.C. launches new line of imported professional level instruments with Troy Andrews to be donated to kids around New Orleans. The new line is called "Artist Series." Corrigan is presented a key to the city of New Orleans by Mayor Mitch Landieu for B.A.C.'s role in the recovery of New Orleans Music Scene, post Hurricane Katrina. 

2012: B.A.C. officially announces the line of Artist Series and Custom horns to the public at winter NAMM convention in Anaheim, CA.

2012: B.A.C. Musical Instruments LLC is formed and splits off from B.A.C. Horn Doctor Inc.

2014 : B.A.C. Musical Instruments relocates production from Olathe, KS, to the Historic Jazz District of Kansas City, MO. 

2016: B.A.C. Introduces the new hand-made 'Paseo Series' Custom trombones and trumpets.

2017: B.A.C. introduces the new 'Recording' Model trumpet, using an original F.E. Olds Bell mandrel from Los Angeles, CA. 

2018: B.A.C. Custom Introduces the new  Maverick Model Trumpet, and Voyager Model Trombone.

Tours

CONTACT US:                                            We do enjoy providing tours to the public. We prefer scheduling tours out in  advance, however we do try our best to accommodate spontaneous opportunities when they arise. Groups of 15 people or less is ideal/preferred, however with advance notice we can coordinate for larger groups.  

American Jazz Museum:                
While B.A.C. has no affiliation with the Jazz Museum, we have a great relationship with the Museum. (Which is located just a few blocks south.) We highly encourage you to check out the museum! Visit: www.americanjazzmuseum.org for more info. 

TOUR FEE:                                            
We do not charge any fees or admissions for tours. We will however accept donations and tips. 

Passionate

"Mike's one of those guys that's really passionate about instruments, and working with the metal. And that's a rare thing. When you find someone that's really that passionate, I mean that's the kind of passion that Louis Armstrong played with, and that Charlie Parker played with. And that's a beautiful thing,  when someone not only has that, but also the craftsmanship and the skill to match. So that's why you see there's a certain uniqueness in the design and the way he builds these instruments. It's a special thing." 

— Delfeayo Marsalis - New Orleans, LA