Grip aid list- feel free to help add some
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
In a rare bout of free time, I put together a list of all the grip aids I can think of and links to, well, an attempt to get one.
I'm missing the new little Yamaha strap thing- dunno where that one is with some googling. Please let me know and I'll add new things to the document.
<LINK_TEXT text="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11TQ ... sp=sharing">https://docs.google.com/document/d/11TQX8z1C0o-QBtShvdIOhx30hbROSl-xOKaitjMntdU/edit?usp=sharing</LINK_TEXT>
I'm missing the new little Yamaha strap thing- dunno where that one is with some googling. Please let me know and I'll add new things to the document.
<LINK_TEXT text="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11TQ ... sp=sharing">https://docs.google.com/document/d/11TQX8z1C0o-QBtShvdIOhx30hbROSl-xOKaitjMntdU/edit?usp=sharing</LINK_TEXT>
- GabrielRice
- Posts: 1496
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
Sent an edit request.
The small Yamaha one is available from eBay sellers.
I've just gotten a grip from Joe Maiocco, and I think it's a winner. Like the CalderPips or old Sheridan Get-a-Grip but made on a 3d printer with a material that can be bent after running it under hot water. It's smaller and doesn't force my wrist out as far as I can tell, though I've had to ask Joe to make a slightly different one to fit my instrument.
The small Yamaha one is available from eBay sellers.
I've just gotten a grip from Joe Maiocco, and I think it's a winner. Like the CalderPips or old Sheridan Get-a-Grip but made on a 3d printer with a material that can be bent after running it under hot water. It's smaller and doesn't force my wrist out as far as I can tell, though I've had to ask Joe to make a slightly different one to fit my instrument.
- AtomicClock
- Posts: 1094
- Joined: Oct 19, 2023
Thein also makes a back-of-hand support. But I don't know if they offer an aftermarket kit.
https://thein-brass.de/en/instrument/thein-equipment/
https://thein-brass.de/en/instrument/thein-equipment/
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
There's more than a few that are brand-specific and wouldn't work on another brand. But I think it's important enough to have them included.
- BassBoneFL
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Aug 14, 2018
I have both a Wise Grip and a SlideKick on my slides along with the Greenhoe hand rest on all my bells. Have the Maiocco hand rest on order to try out. Had a love/hate relationship with the Get-A-Grip. Ultimately felt the minuses outweighed the plusses for me.
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
[quote="BassBoneFL"]I have both a Wise Grip and a SlideKick on my slides[/quote]
That was dumb- I even have the Slidekick website open in a tab! Totally forgot. Getting one at some point for my short cork barrel Conns.
That was dumb- I even have the Slidekick website open in a tab! Totally forgot. Getting one at some point for my short cork barrel Conns.
- wayne88ny
- Posts: 82
- Joined: May 24, 2018
On the old TTF, one of the members posted instructions for a do it yourself support called "Get a Grip". No relation to the Sheridan Get a Grip. This one predates the Sheridan support.
<ATTACHMENT filename="7-GAG-PARTS-ANNOTATED.jpg" index="0">[attachment=0]7-GAG-PARTS-ANNOTATED.jpg</ATTACHMENT><ATTACHMENT filename="6-GAG-PARTS#3.jpg" index="1">[attachment=1]6-GAG-PARTS#3.jpg</ATTACHMENT><ATTACHMENT filename="5-GAG-PARTS#2.jpg" index="2">[attachment=2]5-GAG-PARTS#2.jpg</ATTACHMENT><ATTACHMENT filename="4- GAG-PARTS#1.jpg" index="3">[attachment=3]4- GAG-PARTS#1.jpg</ATTACHMENT><ATTACHMENT filename="3- GAG-TR183.jpg" index="4">[attachment=4]3- GAG-TR183.jpg</ATTACHMENT><ATTACHMENT filename="2- GAG-OET#2.jpg" index="5">[attachment=5]2- GAG-OET#2.jpg</ATTACHMENT><ATTACHMENT filename="1- GAG-OET#1.jpg" index="6">[attachment=6]1- GAG-OET#1.jpg</ATTACHMENT>
The split shaft collar needs to be brazed to the dual set screw coupler and the brass rod needs to be bent and cut to size. The rest is just assembly.
<ATTACHMENT filename="7-GAG-PARTS-ANNOTATED.jpg" index="0">
The split shaft collar needs to be brazed to the dual set screw coupler and the brass rod needs to be bent and cut to size. The rest is just assembly.
- jacobgarchik
- Posts: 358
- Joined: Oct 27, 2018
Anybody ever have an ergonomics expert study these, or like a physical trainer or alexander technique person? to determine which part of the hand and which position might be best for holding weight?
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
[quote="jacobgarchik"]Anybody ever have an ergonomics expert study these, or like a physical trainer or alexander technique person? to determine which part of the hand and which position might be best for holding weight?[/quote]
They'll just be paid off by Big Grip
They'll just be paid off by Big Grip
- BassBoneFL
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Aug 14, 2018
Just got the Maiocco grip a few days ago.... A+++. Fixes some of my issues with Get-A-Grip. Hand position better and doesn't move around. Fits on my Shires and Bach slides along with SlideKick and WiseGrip. However just a hair too big for my narrow and shorter-barreled 70+yr old Bach and 90+yr old Conn. (Wise Grip doesn't work with them either)
- Kbiggs
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
[quote="Burgerbob"]<QUOTE author="jacobgarchik" post_id="292011" time="1767753899" user_id="3890">
Anybody ever have an ergonomics expert study these, or like a physical trainer or alexander technique person? to determine which part of the hand and which position might be best for holding weight?[/quote]
They'll just be paid off by Big Grip
</QUOTE>
Why Aidan, I never thought you could be so cynical! :shock:
Anybody ever have an ergonomics expert study these, or like a physical trainer or alexander technique person? to determine which part of the hand and which position might be best for holding weight?[/quote]
They'll just be paid off by Big Grip
</QUOTE>
Why Aidan, I never thought you could be so cynical! :shock:
- Kbiggs
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
[quote="BassBoneFL"]Just got the Maiocco grip a few days ago.... A+++. Fixes some of my issues with Get-A-Grip. Hand position better and doesn't move around. Fits on my Shires and Bach slides along with SlideKick and WiseGrip. However just a hair too big for my narrow and shorter-barreled 70+yr old Bach and 90+yr old Conn. (Wise Grip doesn't work with them either)[/quote]
I’m glad to hear that there’s another possibility out there. I was considering one of the English handgrips to replace my Sheridan Get-a-Grips, but the Mango Menace’s Foreign Goods Tax made me think twice.
So you can use all three devices at once on the same horn?
I’m glad to hear that there’s another possibility out there. I was considering one of the English handgrips to replace my Sheridan Get-a-Grips, but the Mango Menace’s Foreign Goods Tax made me think twice.
So you can use all three devices at once on the same horn?
- BassBoneFL
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Aug 14, 2018
[quote="Kbiggs"]<QUOTE author="BassBoneFL" post_id="292015" time="1767794093" user_id="3629">
Just got the Maiocco grip a few days ago.... A+++. Fixes some of my issues with Get-A-Grip. Hand position better and doesn't move around. Fits on my Shires and Bach slides along with SlideKick and WiseGrip. However just a hair too big for my narrow and shorter-barreled 70+yr old Bach and 90+yr old Conn. (Wise Grip doesn't work with them either)[/quote]
So you can use all three devices at once on the same horn?
</QUOTE>
Yes
Just got the Maiocco grip a few days ago.... A+++. Fixes some of my issues with Get-A-Grip. Hand position better and doesn't move around. Fits on my Shires and Bach slides along with SlideKick and WiseGrip. However just a hair too big for my narrow and shorter-barreled 70+yr old Bach and 90+yr old Conn. (Wise Grip doesn't work with them either)[/quote]
So you can use all three devices at once on the same horn?
</QUOTE>
Yes
- GabrielRice
- Posts: 1496
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="jacobgarchik"]Anybody ever have an ergonomics expert study these, or like a physical trainer or alexander technique person? to determine which part of the hand and which position might be best for holding weight?[/quote]
When I was seeing an occupational therapist to deal with left tennis elbow (which was not caused by playing, but playing was preventing it from healing) I brought my bass trombone in to show them what I was dealing with. I don't remember the specifics of the conversation, but the basic gist was that I needed to get the weight supported by big muscles and geometry rather than the last two fingers of the left hand (I also had trigger finger as it happens), and that the tendinitis I was managing in my wrist required me to keep it straight.
The best solution for me to accomplish those things has been the Leather Specialties strap. The Get-a-Grip/Calderpips puts the weight in essentially the same place, but I've never been able to get my wrist completely straight with them. I tried a Rath piece that supports the back of the hand, and that was great except that it dulled the response of the instrument.
I think the Maiocco grip will work, and it will have the advantage of being easier to get in and out of for mute changes. It's also easier to adjust than the Calderpips, per Joe's instructions on instagram. I just did it this afternoon.
When I was seeing an occupational therapist to deal with left tennis elbow (which was not caused by playing, but playing was preventing it from healing) I brought my bass trombone in to show them what I was dealing with. I don't remember the specifics of the conversation, but the basic gist was that I needed to get the weight supported by big muscles and geometry rather than the last two fingers of the left hand (I also had trigger finger as it happens), and that the tendinitis I was managing in my wrist required me to keep it straight.
The best solution for me to accomplish those things has been the Leather Specialties strap. The Get-a-Grip/Calderpips puts the weight in essentially the same place, but I've never been able to get my wrist completely straight with them. I tried a Rath piece that supports the back of the hand, and that was great except that it dulled the response of the instrument.
I think the Maiocco grip will work, and it will have the advantage of being easier to get in and out of for mute changes. It's also easier to adjust than the Calderpips, per Joe's instructions on instagram. I just did it this afternoon.
- jacobgarchik
- Posts: 358
- Joined: Oct 27, 2018
What I'm wondering is what is the best hand position and best part of the hand (or the arm?) to carry the weight, even before taking into account which device to use.
index finger extended? fist? fingers straight out and hand flat?
is the back of the hand better to carry weight? or the part between the thumb and the index finger?
Seems like device design should start from there.
index finger extended? fist? fingers straight out and hand flat?
is the back of the hand better to carry weight? or the part between the thumb and the index finger?
Seems like device design should start from there.
- GabrielRice
- Posts: 1496
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
A repair tech in Chicago named John (I think) Haynor came up with another way of holding a bass trombone years ago. You can see it here: <REDDIT id="Trombone/comments/ao3d70"><LINK_TEXT text="https://www.reddit.com/r/Trombone/comme ... _trombone/">https://www.reddit.com/r/Trombone/comments/ao3d70/another_way_of_holding_trombone/</LINK_TEXT></REDDIT>
And if you scroll down here: <LINK_TEXT text="https://www.yeodoug.com/resources/faq/f ... nsion.html">https://www.yeodoug.com/resources/faq/faq_text/tension.html</LINK_TEXT>
It's a great idea and I've played a couple of horns with this setup, but it put my wrist in a very uncomfortable position bent back rather than forward. There was another version, sometimes called the half-Haynor, that moved the thumb lever to where you see it in those pictures but left the finger lever essentially where it is, which kept the wrist straight and supported the weight of the instrument squarely in the crook between the thumb and first finger. I don't see a picture of that, but I had a friend with one at one point.
In both cases, to do it right really required the tech installing it to customize it to the hand of the one person who would be playing it.
And if you scroll down here: <LINK_TEXT text="https://www.yeodoug.com/resources/faq/f ... nsion.html">https://www.yeodoug.com/resources/faq/faq_text/tension.html</LINK_TEXT>
It's a great idea and I've played a couple of horns with this setup, but it put my wrist in a very uncomfortable position bent back rather than forward. There was another version, sometimes called the half-Haynor, that moved the thumb lever to where you see it in those pictures but left the finger lever essentially where it is, which kept the wrist straight and supported the weight of the instrument squarely in the crook between the thumb and first finger. I don't see a picture of that, but I had a friend with one at one point.
In both cases, to do it right really required the tech installing it to customize it to the hand of the one person who would be playing it.
- jacobgarchik
- Posts: 358
- Joined: Oct 27, 2018
do you think haynor is better ergonomically though?
- GabrielRice
- Posts: 1496
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="jacobgarchik"]do you think haynor is better ergonomically though?[/quote]
As I said, I found the full Haynor conversion as pictured above to be quite uncomfortable, so no. In addition to bending my wrist back, it felt like the instrument was precariously balanced.
As I said, I found the full Haynor conversion as pictured above to be quite uncomfortable, so no. In addition to bending my wrist back, it felt like the instrument was precariously balanced.
- dbwhitaker
- Posts: 196
- Joined: May 16, 2019
[quote="GabrielRice"]I tried a Rath piece that supports the back of the hand, and that was great except that it dulled the response of the instrument.[/quote]
Does this suggest that attaching a grip aid to the cross brace (e.g. Rath) has a negative effect doesn't occur (or is at least lessened) when grips attach to the slide receiver or neckpipe (e.g. calderpip, Maiocco, Neotech, Greenhoe rest bar, etc.)? Or is this perhaps due to the larger mass of the Rath? Or something else entirely?
Does this suggest that attaching a grip aid to the cross brace (e.g. Rath) has a negative effect doesn't occur (or is at least lessened) when grips attach to the slide receiver or neckpipe (e.g. calderpip, Maiocco, Neotech, Greenhoe rest bar, etc.)? Or is this perhaps due to the larger mass of the Rath? Or something else entirely?
- GabrielRice
- Posts: 1496
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="dbwhitaker"]Does this suggest that attaching a grip aid to the cross brace (e.g. Rath) has a negative effect doesn't occur (or is at least lessened) when grips attach to the slide receiver or neckpipe (e.g. calderpip, Maiocco, Neotech, Greenhoe rest bar, etc.)? Or is this perhaps due to the larger mass of the Rath? Or something else entirely?[/quote]
I think it's because it's attached to a cross brace. It behaves a lot like a counterweight - which some people like.
I think it's because it's attached to a cross brace. It behaves a lot like a counterweight - which some people like.
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
I find the clampy grips make the most difference in response, the heavier the more difference they make. Otherwise I would probably use the Pawel Wilk grip on everything.
- JTeagarden
- Posts: 625
- Joined: Feb 24, 2025
[quote="Burgerbob"]<QUOTE author="jacobgarchik" post_id="292011" time="1767753899" user_id="3890">
Anybody ever have an ergonomics expert study these, or like a physical trainer or alexander technique person? to determine which part of the hand and which position might be best for holding weight?[/quote]
They'll just be paid off by Big Grip
</QUOTE>
Exactly, the musical-industrial complex Eisenhower warned us about.
Anybody ever have an ergonomics expert study these, or like a physical trainer or alexander technique person? to determine which part of the hand and which position might be best for holding weight?[/quote]
They'll just be paid off by Big Grip
</QUOTE>
Exactly, the musical-industrial complex Eisenhower warned us about.
- Kbiggs
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
I bit the bullet and ordered a Maiocco grip. I’m out of town for a few days, so I’ll see what it’s like when I get back.
BTW—this is probably old news—did anyone notice a difference between older and newer versions of the Sheridan GaG? The newer ones are wider and have a different shape to them. There’s a flat area just after the hook that wraps around the slide. It took me a while to re-shape the one on my tenor it so it was comfortable.
BTW—this is probably old news—did anyone notice a difference between older and newer versions of the Sheridan GaG? The newer ones are wider and have a different shape to them. There’s a flat area just after the hook that wraps around the slide. It took me a while to re-shape the one on my tenor it so it was comfortable.
- BigBadandBass
- Posts: 270
- Joined: Feb 13, 2020
[quote="Kbiggs"]I bit the bullet and ordered a Maiocco grip. I’m out of town for a few days, so I’ll see what it’s like when I get back.
BTW—this is probably old news—did anyone notice a difference between older and newer versions of the Sheridan GaG? The newer ones are wider and have a different shape to them. There’s a flat area just after the hook that wraps around the slide. It took me a while to re-shape the one on my tenor it so it was comfortable.[/quote]
Yeah my Newer GaG was a pain to adjust and different than my friends old one. It was comfortablish but i could never adjust it just right.
Fwiw its worth personally i really dig my Maiocco, haven’t had time to do the bending yet but its as comfortable as my GaG regardless. Prolly gonna bend it and maybe add some Tennis Racket tape or something to it just to give it some cushion
BTW—this is probably old news—did anyone notice a difference between older and newer versions of the Sheridan GaG? The newer ones are wider and have a different shape to them. There’s a flat area just after the hook that wraps around the slide. It took me a while to re-shape the one on my tenor it so it was comfortable.[/quote]
Yeah my Newer GaG was a pain to adjust and different than my friends old one. It was comfortablish but i could never adjust it just right.
Fwiw its worth personally i really dig my Maiocco, haven’t had time to do the bending yet but its as comfortable as my GaG regardless. Prolly gonna bend it and maybe add some Tennis Racket tape or something to it just to give it some cushion
- Tbarh
- Posts: 505
- Joined: Aug 16, 2018
I have tried almost everything (not the Haynor grip), and by far the best for me is the new Yamaha strap.. Almost no interfering with the instrument as most of it is wrapped around the hand . No extra weight, Extremely simple concept.. very adjustable ,very cheap.. My search has ended.. Not sure how easy it is to get hold of now . I bought mine from Japan on eBay..
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
I've got a Maiocco now- first impressions are this is the best one yet. I've had some tendon problems in my left upper arm for a while and even though I've been putting in long days on my M&W, those have gone away. Very impressed.
- norbie2018
- Posts: 1051
- Joined: Apr 05, 2018
I like mine too, but does anyone have suggestions for adding cushioning to it?
- GabrielRice
- Posts: 1496
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="norbie2018"]I like mine too, but does anyone have suggestions for adding cushioning to it?[/quote]
Have you adjusted it to fit your hand really well? I think I got mine to conform well enough that I don't feel the need for any extra cushioning.
Have you adjusted it to fit your hand really well? I think I got mine to conform well enough that I don't feel the need for any extra cushioning.
- norbie2018
- Posts: 1051
- Joined: Apr 05, 2018
I think it fits very well, just needs some cushioning on the part that fits over the back of the hand. Perhaps I'm used to the Neotech which offers a certain degree of flex and cushion.
- KWL
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Oct 23, 2019
Gabe wrote: “I think the Maiocco grip will work, and it will have the advantage of being easier to get in and out of for mute changes.”
This is what I’m looking forward to when mine arrives. I played a dance band gig where one piece called for “hand in bell.” My left hand strapped into the Neotech brace made that a challenge.
Ken
This is what I’m looking forward to when mine arrives. I played a dance band gig where one piece called for “hand in bell.” My left hand strapped into the Neotech brace made that a challenge.
Ken