[Trombone-l] An alto neophyte asks for it.

[Matthew Stoecker]

Well, I'm an alto neophyte too, I guess. I play alto very occasionally in 
just-for-fun orchestras. But I have tried quite a few, and none, in my 
opinion, even comes close to the Elkhart Conn 35H. These horns are gorgeous 
and vibrant, easy and responsive. I did a side-by-side comparison with a 
current Conn and there was no comparison at all. BTW, there is an Elkhart 
Conn 35H on eBay right now that I would buy if I thought the lacquer was 
original, but I really don't need two. Still a good deal at the BIN price of 
$1500.

For a mouthpiece, I use an Al Almont sterling silver mouthpiece. It sounds 
kind of bizarre, but it really works-the tone is light like an alto but full 
of color. One of the problems I have with mouthpieces like the 12E is that 
they just sound dead.

My 2 cents.

Matthew Stoecker


>From: John Cather <John at CatherMusic.com>
>To: trombone-l at server5.samford.edu
>Subject: Re: [Trombone-l] An alto neophyte asks for it.
>Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2007 11:13:49 -0700
>
>There have been a lot of good responses on this topic. Heres my take
>that no one has hit on yet. I've been playing alto for much longer
>than this new revival period of the alto. I hope it's not a fad but a
>lasting dimension of the modern trombone.
>
>In my opinion, The Conn and Yamaha are very well constructed, but
>only to please a tenor player. They are large bore with large bells.
>They play and sound like short tenors to me. The smaller bore
>instruments with smaller bells sound more like altos to me and I
>prefer them. Otherwise I'd rather play a small tenor.
>
>Also, I've preached this before. Sorry guys, you can hit delete now
>if you want.
>A bach 12 or bach 15 is not an alto mouthpiece it's a tenor. I know
>most players are tenor players and want the alto to feel and play
>like their tenor and that's why the bach 12 and the such. That's fine
>for those that do not want to put in the time to play alto as an
>alto. But you don't get the added high range or the focused sound
>that comes naturally with an alto mouthpiece unless you are (in my
>opinion) working too hard and maybe pinching your sound. An alto mpc
>should be in the range of about 22mm rim width and not the 24mm width
>on a bach 12 or 15. I know not many makers offer anything like this
>and that's because there is little to no demand for it. But most
>makers can custom make anything you'd like. I've made a few myself
>out of the frustration of not having a bach or schilke available to
>buy. But when the mpc is at least ballpark close, it becomes easy to
>play and get the focused sound and range you'd expect from the
>smaller trombone. It doesn't kill you to play the repertoire like it
>does on a tenor (or tenor mpc) and it sounds better naturally.
>
>OK off my soap box. Sorry guys.
>
>John Cather
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