Recommend a small bore horn

tbdana · by **tbdana** » 2025-09-12 7:03 p.m.

I have a friend who is a community player. He's always played on a .547 bore horn. He just got appointed to play lead in a big band, and now he wants a used small bore horn, of professional quality. He's a huge guy and can put a LOT of air through a horn.

Because of me, he's looking at Bach 16Ms. He needs a .508 or .509 bore. He'll just overblow a .500 or smaller. Other than the 16M he already has in mind, what other horn should I point a guy like him toward?

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2025-09-12 7:22 p.m.

3BF, Silver Sonic if he's got the scratch.

ngrinder · by **ngrinder** » 2025-09-12 7:47 p.m.

Don't discount the dual bores. I think a (non "M") Bach 16 can actually take more air and power than a straight 16M, and the Conn 32H was the choice horn for many years of Bill Reichenbach (and other bass players) given it's "dual" characteristics (see what I did there) of sounding small but feeling large.

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2025-09-12 7:53 p.m.

hyperbolica · by **hyperbolica** » 2025-09-12 9:45 p.m.

Overblowing is something you can learn not to do. I'm sure I sound like a broken record when I recommend Getzen 3508 or 1050. If playing lead is the only consideration, I'd pick a Conn 24h or Bach 6. Stick around long enough and we'll name every small bore trombone.

Mamaposaune · by **Mamaposaune** » 2025-09-12 10:15 p.m.

Not a common horn, but the Selmer Bolero is worth considering if you can find one in good shape.

Pezza · by **Pezza** » 2025-09-13 3:50 a.m.

Im a bass bone player. I found the Bach 12 easier to not overblow than the 16!

tbdana · by **tbdana** » 2025-09-13 10:21 a.m.

[quote="hyperbolica"]\Stick around long enough and we'll name every small bore trombone.[/quote]

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: I'm sure that's true! :)

sf105 · by **sf105** » 2025-09-13 11:50 a.m.

vote here for the 32H. For playing lead on a SS, I would have thought a 2B.

dembones · by **dembones** » 2025-09-13 12:23 p.m.

The 891ZD .508 (detachable bell) is a great horn, with the screw bell it can take a lot and hold it together.

Briande · by **Briande** » 2025-09-13 7:18 p.m.

Conn 48h.

tbdana · by **tbdana** » 2025-09-13 7:44 p.m.

So, then, anything but the Conn 48H?

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2025-09-13 8:53 p.m.

As a bass trombone player I had similar problems until I learned to play a small bore with more finesse.

One horn that seems to be underappreciated is the Benge 170 Free Lance.

I had success with a Martin Committee (see my avatar).

I also like my Conn 40H, but the heavy slide (it's TIS) might be a turnoff.

If he doesn't want to learn a small bore (and even a .508/.509 may be too easy to overblow) maybe a medium bore like a Bach 36 or Conn 78H would work.

tbdana · by **tbdana** » 2025-09-13 9:01 p.m.

[quote="tbdana"]So, then, anything but the Conn 48H?[/quote]

Aw, man, my joke was ruined by deleting his repeated posts! Jeez...

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2025-09-13 9:07 p.m.

[quote="tbdana"]<QUOTE author="tbdana" post_id="285450" time="1757807042" user_id="16498">
So, then, anything but the Conn 48H?[/quote]

Aw, man, my joke was ruined by deleting his repeated posts! Jeez...
</QUOTE>

Sorry. Repeated posts are my bugbear and I remove them automatically.

If you were at my end of the country I'd be happy to let your friend try all my small bores, although I don't have the Committee any more (but I do have an Imperial I used to use for Dixieland and a Holton Stratodyne (67) that was used for Dixieland by local legend Cas Brosky).

salsabone · by **salsabone** » 2025-09-13 10:18 p.m.

Please advise him to look at an older Renolds Argenta or an older Contempora non f-att. horn .520 bore. In my opinion that would work the best!!

Fruitysloth · by **Fruitysloth** » 2025-09-13 10:57 p.m.

[quote="tbdana"]<QUOTE author="tbdana" post_id="285450" time="1757807042" user_id="16498">
So, then, anything but the Conn 48H?[/quote]

Aw, man, my joke was ruined by deleting his repeated posts! Jeez...
</QUOTE>

I saw your initial post and was ready to come in here swinging, I really dig the 48H :lol:

Aznguyy · by **Aznguyy** » 2025-09-13 11:08 p.m.

Olds Recording!

MrHCinDE · by **MrHCinDE** » 2025-09-14 3:22 a.m.

Another vote for 2BSS, specifically the 2B silvertone, it can take plenty of the right air. I have an easier time switching to it from large bore than to a 3B (or 3BSS I used to own). I suspect the leadpipe on my 2B is more open than the ones on 3B I’ve tried. Whether that’s the reason or not, the horn feels more open than any 3B I’ve tried and is very accepting of air, but sounds pretty compact on the other side of the bell. Best of both worlds for my taste.

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Recommend a small bore horn