McQueens Musical Instruments

, Stretford. In 1980 he was then made workshop manager. Having worked at Fred Rhodes for 8 years, he decided it was time for ventures new and opened McQueens Musical Instruments in October 1985. Around about this time, Barratts of Manchester were going into liquidation and Rick took the opportunity to purchase their machinery for the manufacture of Bugles, Ceremonial State and Cavalry Trumpets. Growing from strength to strength Rick also employed 3 former Barratts employees. McQueens reputation for extremely high standards of Craftsmanship was growing fast and wide. In 1988 Rick added a Silver Plating Lab to his workshops rapidly expanding business. This was followed in 1990 with a Lacquering Department. These purchases made McQueens completely self sufficient and the only Workshop within the UK to provide these facilities all on site!!

1994 brought about a big change when Rick was awarded a Contract with The Ministry of Defence to Maintain, Service and Renovate every Musical Instrument within the British Forces. Rick had a staff member travel down to The Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall, Twickenham every Monday morning to collect and delivery repairs for over 12 years!! This proved to be the longest ever Repair Contract ever supplied to an independent Repair Workshop. Rick was rewarded for this tremendous achievement by a visit from HRH The Duke of Kent to his workshop where the Duke opened a Commemorative Plaque in 2006 which was followed in July 2007 by an invite from Her Majesty The Queen to a Garden Party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, which he proudly attended with his daughter Hayley. Having moved premises 5 times to accommodate the extra machinery, plant and staff requirements. In 1997 Rick bought The Black Horse Pub premises on Manchester Road, where he is currently based. These premises meet McQueens needs perfectly. In 2007, Ricks son and heir Timothy, was introduced into the company. Having served a strict and stringent apprenticeship under the very watchful eye of Rick, Tim is now an extremely capable and skilled craftsman following in his fathers footsteps. Rick and his staff now proudly repair and restore Musical Instruments from all around the world, having recommendations from the Worlds finest Musicians. The job satisfaction and Wow Factor we get from every Restoration is priceless. Even though McQueens have Restored Thousands upon Thousands of Musical Instruments, each and everyone remains an individual joy to undertake. No task is too small nor too large for Rick and his staff to undertake. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any queries.