Small Bore Recommendations

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shinythings7
Posts: 52
Joined: Jul 22, 2018

by shinythings7 »

Hi all,

I'm getting back into playing trombone. It'll be my first time getting into the world of the small bore horns. I've played on mostly Holtons and Bachs, but they were all large bore or basses. I'm not picky on the brand or anything. It would need to be something that has a wide slide, as I have a large neck. Any and all help would be appreciated.
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harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed »

I can't think of a single wide crook small tenor...*

*That isn't a custom horn that no longer plays like a stock version.
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dukesboneman
Posts: 935
Joined: Apr 02, 2018

by dukesboneman »

Since you only played large bore horns a "smaller" horn with a wide slide would be a Bach 36
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harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed »

The Bach 36 isn't like a 42 width though. It's been ages, but I vaguely remember it being not as wide.
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tctb
Posts: 46
Joined: Apr 04, 2018

by tctb »

I would suggest you try a Yamaha 891Z or an 897Z as both seem to suit players with wider necks.
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hyperbolica
Posts: 3990
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by hyperbolica »

Conn 78h has a wide slide, plays brighter than 36b.
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brtnats
Posts: 341
Joined: Apr 26, 2018

by brtnats »

[quote="harrisonreed"]The Bach 36 isn't like a 42 width though. It's been ages, but I vaguely remember it being not as wide.[/quote]

36 slide width is comparable to an 88H, with a more square crook.

How small you talking? +1 for 891Z or its smaller brother 897Z. They’re consistent, blow big, come with interchangeable leadpipes as standard. Something a little physically bigger? Think .525.

Want to experiment at a low cost? King 3B.
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shinythings7
Posts: 52
Joined: Jul 22, 2018

by shinythings7 »

These are all some great suggestions. I'm actually looking at stuff in the .508" and smaller range. Definitely small bore. I'll eventually go medium bore if I feel as though I can't blend with larger horns, but that won't be a concern for a bit.

So from what I understand, not a lot of options .500" and smaller with wide crooks stock, if at all? Anyone have any replacement part suggestions that aren't from the boutique brands? Not trying to spend that kind of money when I don't know what I'm doing yet.
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hyperbolica
Posts: 3990
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by hyperbolica »

There was a thread here a few months back that talked about slide widths for small bores. I think the consensus was that the widest small bore slide was a Besson. That thread was at this link https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=10859
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HawaiiTromboneGuy
Posts: 1025
Joined: Sep 03, 2018

by HawaiiTromboneGuy »

King 3B/F
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mrdeacon
Posts: 1225
Joined: May 08, 2018

by mrdeacon »

There isn't really anything stock that comes with a WIDE slide... King 3B and 78h will probably be the widest slides without going the WIDE slide option. There are WIDE crooks floating around and a few techs out there can whip you one up.

This might seem like an odd suggestion... I'm also primarily a Bass Trombone player. Big fan of Holton and Bach large tenor and bass bones. I'm a really big fan of Bach style small tenors!

I know they seem small... especially with the 7 1/2" bell but they are super easy to play and I feel offer a similar blow to the larger horns.

I'm a huge fan of my Rath R1 which is similar to a Bach 16. Nice open blow and with the square crook plays really similar to my basses. I really want to own a Bach 12 or Bach 6 or 8 at some point!
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Matt_K
Posts: 4809
Joined: Mar 21, 2018

by Matt_K »

The only "stock" horn that I am aware of that has a wide slide and takes a small shank mouthpiece is a Shires medium bore. A TW25 slide is "Bach" width.

Beyond that, a tech can modify the slide receiver of most bell sections to be more angled by heating up the solder a little and bending it. Might make more sense to go that route.