TromboneChat

This may be an impossible question to answer, but is there a consensus on a custom trombone manufacturer who is deemed overall best for quality of product and working with individuals?

If so, who and why are they best?

I like working with Steve Shires myself, as the horn I have just really fit me, and I see a lot of other people rave about working with Matthew Walker at M&W. I'd love to visit him myself someday. For M&W the horns are gorgeous and in immaculate shape without exception, with a variety of options that Matthew seems like he really cares and thinks deeply about - both in conception and execution.

M&W, as far as I can tell.
I've only played one of Matthew's trombones, but it was amazing.
And Matthew has been tremendously open and helpful on TromboneChat. .

If I only had the funds (and ability to take advantage of his incredible skill).

How "custom" do you want? There are several great custom makers who post here.

I mainly ask this because there seems to be quite a bit of variation on what "custom" can mean.

In my limited opinion:

M&W, Steve Shires, O’Malley Brass, Benn Hannson, and Scott Sweeney if you want custom but something CRAZY unique.

If you want a full custom Bach style jazz horn I would keep tabs on O’Malley to see what they are working on.

If you want to modify a vintage horn with great bones Sweeney is simply the best. I call him the Millennial Minick lol. Every horn he touches just plays and feels better. He can make them look as stock and classy or as wild as you want. I love my 6H/F Art Bone. Honestly one of the best instruments I’ve ever owned and I will be enjoying it for a long time.