For 40 years, the Dieter Otto name has established itself among discerning horn players around the globe. Backed by his excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail, his instruments were manufactured with the highest quality of hand work. In 1969 Dieter Otto founded his business with confidence from the experience he had growing up with his own instrument making family from Markneukirchen, Germany. In 2006, Dieter Otto hired a young, dynamic brass instrument maker named Martin Ecker. Mr. Ecker, a master craftsman in his own right, has marked 2010 as the year in which he has obtained total ownership and operation of Dieter Otto French horns. Mr. Ecker embraces the traditions set forth by Mr. Otto and is currently producing the well-known models established over the years, as well as introducing new models for players to choose from under the Dieter Otto name. Presently, the manufacturing of Dieter Otto Horns is dependant on a very close relationship with it’s clients, as each musician has specific ideas for their instrument. Martin Ecker’s hand work ensures the ability to customize an instrument to your every wish, which provides great flexibility and opportunity. You will be advised by a competent staff regarding the merits of various designs and special requests. Trust that Martin Ecker uses the latest computer analysis systems and cooperation with professional musicians, to consistently improve and develop Dieter Otto Horns to meet or exceed the highest standards of contemporary musicians worldwide.
MARTIN ECKER began his apprenticeship as brass instrument maker in 1995 with the Miraphone company in Waldkraiburg. He absolved his journeyman’s examination in 1998 and in 2002, he became a master craftsman. In 2004, he worked for the world-renown “Kanstul Musical Instruments” in Anaheim, California, U.S.A. MARTIN ECKER has worked for the DIETER OTTO company since 2005, and he will continue their honoured tradition with new ideas and production techniques.
In the family tradition, DIETER OTTO began his apprenticeship as an instrument builder, at the age of 14, with the “Meister Paul Mönnig” in Markneukirchen. Formerly, his great-grandfather had built drums and bugles in Markneukirchen. His grandfather and father had their own company, manufacturing accessories for brass instruments. After beginning his apprenticeship, Dieter was encouraged to learn horn, thus discovering his love for this instrument. He worked three years for the company “Musikhaus Barth” in Stuttgart, where he got his master craftsman diploma. Subsequently DIETER OTTO was employed until 1967 by the renowned company “Hirsbrunner - Sumiswald”, Switzerland, before he opened his own firm in Neumakt-St. Veit in 1969.
at Schillerstr. 19 in Mühldorf am Inn
(5 minutes walk from the train station )