Greetings all,

For sale is a Bach Stradivarius 42AF with Sterling Plus Bell & other custom parts. This trombone started life as a standard 42AF, but has been customized with various parts.

If you want the avoid a “tldr” situation, here are the specs and pics (otherwise continue to read for details):

Bach Stradivarius 42AF (ca. 2014)

Bell: 8.5” Sterling Plus (ca. 2000–10)

Valve: Bach Infinity (Instrument Innovations) axial flow

Main tuning slide: Hoelle Copper

Hand-slide: Bach 42 yellow brass with M/K Drawing & Bending Bronze Tenor Crook

Other modifications: Instrument Innovations Bi-Thread lead-pipe receiver. This upgrade allows you to use screw-in lead pipes from Edwards/Getzen (fine threads) or Shires (coarse threads) and some other makers.

Price: $4000 obo; I may have a little bit of wiggle room, but read below concerning pricing/bell option. At this time, I prefer to restrict sales to the United State. Shipping included in the continental US. It will be securely packaged and insured.

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I’ll start from the player end: It has an Instrument Innovations Bi-Thread lead-pipe receiver. This upgrade allows you to use screw-in lead pipes.. This upgrade allows you to use screw-in lead pipes. You can interface leadpipes with either Edwards/Getzen (fine threads) or Shires (coarse threads) leadpipes or other pipes from other makers that have either thread pitch. Utilizing a preferred pipe allows one to get the feel on the input side of things. Moving down the slide, I had a M/K Drawing & Bending Bronze Tenor Slide Crook installed. The tenor crook eliminates the tubby/wolfie nature associated with bass crooks. By my reckoning, it responds more quickly and is much more agile. The M/K tenor crook is .588 and is still a large bore crook. When discussing the tonal properties of alloys, various terms are often bandied about such as dark, bright, warm etc. I suppose the bronze does seem to warm up the sound. More apparent to me, is that bronze facilitates a wide range of dynamics. Next is the Hoelle Copper Main Tuning Slide. The crook and tuning slide legs are what Matthias describes as pure copper. The ferrules and brace are yellow brass. Again the higher copper content seems to warm up the sound and takes off the edginess that Bach trombones can have at louder dynamics. It also opens up the upper register. I find that the seamed construction provides excellent projection. Finally, is the Bach Sterling Plus 42 bell. This bell was added aftermarket and was crafted in the early to mid 2000s.

As previously stated, this was originally a stock 42AF. It was a one-owner instrument. I acquired it in 2018 from a gentleman who bought it, brand new, for his bassoon playing daughter. She only played it a short while. The trombone is in excellent condition. The lacquer is 98%, or better, intact. I use hand and neck guards to protect the finish. There are a few minor scratches and nicks here and there. They’re only noticeable or close scrutiny and otherwise do not affect the playing. There are some signs of the modification, particularly the bell since it came from a 42BO and the original mount points (solder) are visible. This could probably be buffed out. There is evidence of lacquer touchup from the slide crook being installed. Most of the custom work was done by Rich Ita’s Brass Instrument Workshop in Marietta, Georgia. And the slide was aligned by The Slide Doctor. Living in Georgia, I was able to visit both shops personally. The stock Infinity axial flow valve (Instrument Innovations) is excellent, functions perfectly, and looks nearly new. The hand-slide is easily at 9.5/10 or better. There is no lacquer wear in the grip areas. And there is no stocking wear on the inner slide. I would say, with its previous owner included, that this instrument has probably only a couple of years of playing actually on it. I used it for my last year and a half of undergraduate. I I haven’t played it much since graduating.

Of course this is very subjective, but this is a beautiful instrument to behold. The look of the various metals is quite striking. There is a nice visual contrast with the silver bell, copper tuning slide, bronze slide crook, and the balance of the original yellow brass and nickel components. The Sterling Plus Bell creates a unique beautiful tone, and the copper and bronze components accentuate, yet balance, it’s inherent characteristics. Silver responds very well to loud dynamics; You can really push it. The bronze and copper allow better control of the lower dynamics. Something that players of silver instruments find challenging: One can play very loudly but it is challenging at the lower dynamics. The addition of the copper elements mitigate this. This is a very unique sounding instrument. It does still play and sound like a Bach, albeit highly enhanced. It is certainly a great instrument for solo work. But I find that it blends well and orchestral, band, and other playing environments. It’s very nice in a brass quintet.

I really love this trombone and it is tough to let it go. But my life and musical goals have changed. I have a few other instruments and trombones for my needs. It’s sounds cliché, but I would just really like to see this go to a good home. I think it would bring someone else ad much joy as it has for me. I will try to get some better pictures taken and a video of an performance I have tomorrow. I may edit this post as well...

This sale includes the beautiful custom trombone and a current era Bach French-style case. The Rath hand brace is not included. I will include the original lead pipe that was pulled, which has a pull ring installed. It will fit as-is, but I highly recommend getting a threaded adapter added for proper interface and easy extraction. The Rrath hand brace is not included. At this time, I prefer to restrict sales to the United States. I might consider shipping abroad, but doing so will likely be very expensive considering the current world economic situation. Shipping is included in the continental US. It will be securely packaged and insured. My asking price is $4000, I may have a little bit of wiggle room. But if you’ve priced the Sterling Plus 42 Bell, you know that it is probably in the price range of this whole instrument. When I called three or four years ago it was be $4000—just for a bell! Please private message me for any to purchase or make an offer. I’m pretty adamant about PayPal goods and services. I will cover those fees as well. Thanks for looking!

Bump! Just in time for tax season.

Also, for you doublers, I have a nice Yamaha (YEP-321) euphonium with a 5th valve for sale. Check it out:

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