Custom Sterling Silver Alto Trombone?

PDH · by **PDH** » 2023-05-09 12:25 a.m.

Hi, I'm looking to do a custom Sterling Silver Alto Trombone from shires or other instrument makers and would like to get some input. Which manufacturer is better or better than Glass Sterling Silver Alto Trombone?

CalgaryTbone · by **CalgaryTbone** » 2023-05-09 12:43 a.m.

Lechter (sp?) and Adams both have ties to the old Glassel designs. They both offer a sterling version.

Jim Scott

Matt_K · by **Matt_K** » 2023-05-09 6:45 a.m.

Someone here has one custom made not too long ago. I don’t remember the brand but can probably dig up with a little searching. They seemed very pleased with the result.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2023-05-09 7:05 a.m.

It was through Brass Ark I thought

GabrielRice · by **GabrielRice** » 2023-05-09 9:00 a.m.

We made one when I worked at Shires. Sterling bell, gold brass crook and slide tubes. It sounded awesome.

hornbuilder · by **hornbuilder** » 2023-05-09 10:19 a.m.

M&W offer Sterling as an option.

dukesboneman · by **dukesboneman** » 2023-05-09 11:51 a.m.

Adams makes a nice one with the Sterling Bell option

tbonesullivan · by **tbonesullivan** » 2023-05-09 3:24 p.m.

[quote="harrisonreed"]It was through Brass Ark I thought[/quote] It was, and it was glorious apparently, and well worth the wait, which was over a year, like many things these days. It was discussed in this thread, with pictures of the result.

<LINK_TEXT text="viewtopic.php?t=21839">https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?t=21839</LINK_TEXT>

PDH · by **PDH** » 2023-05-10 12:19 a.m.

Lechter and shires are most likely, but we haven't decided yet.

slipmo · by **slipmo** » 2023-05-10 12:46 p.m.

Leuchter Stering alto with trill valve option

whitbey · by **whitbey** » 2023-05-11 11:21 a.m.

[quote="slipmo"]Leuchter Stering alto with trill valve option[/quote]

This is my alto bone.

It is spectacular.

The sound is sweet.

The intonation is good and contestant as are the slide positions.

Worth the wait.

I live in SE Mich if you want to see and play the horn.

PDH · by **PDH** » 2023-05-12 12:14 p.m.

I asked Markus leuchter, but he replied that he would not produce alto until 2025. So I think I should choose another instrument.

slipmo · by **slipmo** » 2023-05-12 1:07 p.m.

[quote="PDH"]I asked Markus leuchter, but he replied that he would not produce alto until 2025. So I think I should choose another instrument.[/quote]

I have two altos in stock, one in gold brass with nickel slide and one in gold brass with nickel slide and gold crook. Not sterling bells, but FWIW they are here

PDH · by **PDH** » 2023-05-14 12:47 p.m.

I'm sorry, but I'm interested in the Sterling Silver Alto trombone.

tbonesullivan · by **tbonesullivan** » 2023-05-15 11:13 a.m.

[quote="PDH"]I'm sorry, but I'm interested in the Sterling Silver Alto trombone.[/quote] Have you played one before? I'm just curious as to why you are so dead set on an Alto with Sterling Silver bell. Your only real options now are Used, Shires, and ADAMS, and even with those you could end up waiting a year or more.

PDH · by **PDH** » 2023-05-15 12:40 p.m.

I've played my acquaintance's glassl sterling silver alto trombone before. It was the best alto I've ever played and it was impressive. I think that's why I can't give up yet.<EMOJI seq="1f602" tseq="1f602">😂</EMOJI>

Matt_K · by **Matt_K** » 2023-05-15 1:03 p.m.

Id say that has more to do with it being a Glassl rather than the sterling silver but admittedly a sterling alto from a boutique manufacturer would be great so I can’t throw stones

slipmo · by **slipmo** » 2023-05-15 1:42 p.m.

Steve Ferguson owns a sterling Glassl, maybe if you offer him a ton of money he'd sell it to you. Worth an ask and an offer

tbonesullivan · by **tbonesullivan** » 2023-05-15 3:27 p.m.

[quote="Matt K"]Id say that has more to do with it being a Glassl rather than the sterling silver but admittedly a sterling alto from a boutique manufacturer would be great so I can’t throw stones[/quote] Yeah... Glassl alto trombones are something special. There's a reason why the design is so well known, and often used as a design influence. Miel Adams pretty much purchased the design from Glassl, so I think an Adams with a SS bell is the closest you can get.

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2023-05-15 7:11 p.m.

Wish Conn made sterling 36H bells for the masses.

whitbey · by **whitbey** » 2023-05-16 8:45 a.m.

As the guy that bought the Leuchter Stering alto with trill valve option and also has an Edwards 547 sterling bell horn, I can say sterling bells are wonderful. Maybe not for everyday playing, but when you can use them.....simply wonderful.

muschem · by **muschem** » 2023-06-13 3:56 p.m.

I’m in queue for a sterling bell alto from Shires. Should be finished sometime in 2024. I’ll post some pics and thoughts when it arrives. It found it interesting to note that while Shires offers a cut bell option from the factory now for brass bell altos, they weren’t willing to do this for a sterling bell.

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Custom Sterling Silver Alto Trombone?