Wondering if anyone out there in chatland has experience with this particular mod? I have seen the Slokar recommended as a miraculous upgrade for Chinese-made horns but not this one in particular. I assume all the Thomann models share the same leadpipe but if it's necessary info, I'm looking at the Classic TEB480 GL. I don't know if this comes out of the same factory as the Jinbao horns, which is what I see most referenced with upgrades.

Any info is appreciated, thanks!

Thomann SL-35 with the curvy Slokar braces is the normal one modded. It replaced the goofy long one.

Do you have a goofy long leadpipe in your current Thomann Alto?

Yes, it looks like it might be upwards of a foot long. So I guess there is some potential that a change could add some magic.

Interestingly, the photo on BrassArk of their pipe next to a Jinbao makes the BA pipe look pretty long.

The leadpipe I designed that you are looking at on the website is a copy of an actual K&H Slokar leadpipe. It is much longer than the Jinbao leadpipes that come stock with those instruments, as you can see in the side by side photo. I'm not familiar with any "goofy long" Chinese made pipes. Sounds like they copied some other European alto trombone, maybe?

I designed the leadpipe as a thread in replacement for the poorly made leadpipes in the Jinbao Slokar copy, but it should work well in other altos, providing the bore size is the same and the original soldered in leadpipe is pulled. It's no problem for me to make them without threads if requested.

[quote="brassmedic"]The leadpipe I designed that you are looking at on the website is a copy of an actual K&H Slokar leadpipe. It is much longer than the Jinbao leadpipes that come stock with those instruments, as you can see in the side by side photo. I'm not familiar with any "goofy long" Chinese made pipes. Sounds like they copied some other European alto trombone, maybe?

I designed the leadpipe as a thread in replacement for the poorly made leadpipes in the Jinbao Slokar copy, but it should work well in other altos, providing the bore size is the same and the original soldered in leadpipe is pulled. It's no problem for me to make them without threads if requested.[/quote]

Thanks for the info Brad! Thomann's site lists this horn's bore as 12.2mm / .480". They sell the K&H Slokar and it appears to have the same bore size so I assume it would work. Giving some thought to next steps.

Thanks again,

Charles

I would suggest double-checking the bore size. The long leadpipe that has been described sounds like the one that goes with a Chinese alto that is a copy of the Thein that is a .525/.547 dual bore. That particular Thein comes with a leadpipe that is almost as long as the slide tube. They do also provide a different pipe that is a more traditional length. I'm not sure what comes with the Thomann horn, or if it is that Thein copy, but I would check before buying a new leadpipe. Does that horn come with a detachable B flat attachment that attaches to the bell at the point where the slide attaches as well? That is how the Thein is set up, and I do remember seeing a Chinese copy of it that was showing up on eBay, as well as some retailers.

Jim Scott

by the way - the Thein version is quite good inspire of the non-traditional specs.