Can a slide lock and main slide lock be added

J
Jmac
Posts: 53
Joined: Apr 04, 2018

by Jmac »

I’ve got an old King Proportion from the early 1930’s. Friction fit with no slide lock. Can slide locks be added to them? Is that a modification that is done?
B
Bonearzt
Posts: 833
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by Bonearzt »

Neither mod are really feasible, either monetarily or technically.

The main thinking is it would detract from the historic value from a collectors standpoint.

I think it would be too difficult to accomplish with no real added gain.
D
DontEatJunkFood
Posts: 3
Joined: Jan 24, 2019

by DontEatJunkFood »

Suggestion: Use a pipe cleaner. Tight wrap around non-moving handle closest to mouthpiece. Loosely wrap around sliding handle to lock, loosely wrap around something else when unlocked. It works and keeps the historical aspect of your trombone.
L
LeTromboniste
Posts: 1634
Joined: Apr 11, 2018

by LeTromboniste »

There's also just the question of why you would need it at all. There is no inherent reason why a trombone needs these. (In not saying it's wrong of modern trombones to have them, but they are not at all essential to the instrument being functional, and don't affect playability, so...)
B
BGuttman
Posts: 7368
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by BGuttman »

Actually, the nut on the tenon jont DOES affect playability. Primarily in situations where you need to make a lot of mute changes.

I'd also hate to march a field show with one.
L
LeTromboniste
Posts: 1634
Joined: Apr 11, 2018

by LeTromboniste »

[quote="BGuttman"]Actually, the nut on the tenon jont DOES affect playability. Primarily in situations where you need to make a lot of mute changes.[/quote]

You're right about the mute changes of course!

[quote="BGuttman"]I'd also hate to march a field show with one.[/quote]

I'd hope nobody here would take a 1930's King out marching! :horror:

I presume it wouldn't be too hard to modify the slide receiver (or make a new one) to have a radial screw like on Rath trombones.