[Trombone-l] 57 and Thinking About My First Double-Rotor Bass Trombone

[Earl Needham]

At 09:56 PM 8/19/2007, Eric & Candice Swanson wrote:
>If you like the 72H (once you get your problems worked out) you could
>add a second valve to it.  That would be far less than a new horn.  You
>could even put Thayer valves on the 72H and come out many hundreds less
>than any new horn.

         This might be the best idea on the list!  I mean, the old 
Conn sound with a new set of valves!

         I played a Conn Bass Trombone for a short time in college 
(1974-ish), I'm trying to remember the model number -- it had 
dependant valves, maybe 72H?  Not sure --

         Anyway, when using either valve, or both valves, it was 
stuffy as H$%^!  I mean, it was so bad it felt like someone had 
stuffed the bell full of cotton every time I used a valve.  Seems to 
me that a set of Thayer valves would probably open up a horn like 
that.  An open wrap couldn't hurt, either.

         That being said, let me dissuade you from one of your 
initial statements -- not all double-valve horns are stuffy.  The 
1062's get high marks in this regard, and I'll put my old Duo Gravis 
up against just about anything, for being free-blowing and open with 
the valves.  Of course, the Duo Gravis is a bit brighter than most, 
but the general idea is that two valves don't necessarily indicate a 
stuffy horn.

         I personally have never cared for the Bach "sound", but 
there has to be a reason they seem to be the standard around the 
world.  I seriously doubt they could sell more than a few of the Bach 
50's if they were stuffy.  Most people just won't put up with a horn 
that's not comfortable to play if there's something better (read that 
more comfortable and MORE FUN) available.

         Tom, two things -- first, go to a convention, or maybe a 
store with a lot of different models, and give a bunch of them a test 
blow.  You might find something you like!

         Second, 57 better not be old!  I'm right behind you and I 
DON'T WANNA BE OLD!!!

         Earl

KD5XB -- Earl Needham
Clovis, New Mexico DM84jk
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cw_bugs
Quoting from the Coast Guard: ZUT