[Trombone-l] Selman Alto Trombone

[Dave Demko]

Agreed. But this slide is a bit more out-of-true than is necessary for
a secure fit. It can be difficult to move. With enough lubricant it
works well enough. It's a minor problem and probably an indication
that the assembly isn't done to really fine tolerances.

DD

On 10/16/07, bjmchaffie at aol.com <bjmchaffie at aol.com> wrote:
> The problem with the tuning slide is:? in order for the slide to stay in the bell and not fall out at an improvident time, the tubing must be just a little bit out
> of parallel with the bell tubing to provide a friction fit.? I have this problem on two of my P-shooters, once I remove the slide completely.
>
> beldon wade
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Howard Spindel <howard at sci1.com>
> To: trombone-l at server5.samford.edu
> Sent: Tue, 16 Oct 2007 5:07 pm
> Subject: Re: [Trombone-l] Selman Alto Trombone
>
>
>
> Dave's report encouraged me to update my initial report based on a
> couple things he said.
>
> 1.  My tuning slide is out of align in the same way Dave
> mentions.  It moves freely when inserted, but if it pops completely
> out it can be difficult to re-insert.
>
> 2.  The slide lock on mine does not rotate the entire cork barrel -
> just a little ring like on most trombones.
>
> 3.  The slide needs to be stored in the case with the bell tenon up
> and to the right to prevent possible bell damage.  The case works
> fine if the slide is stored that way.  The case has no storage for
> slide lube, which is annoying, and the only mouthpiece storage is one
> of those holes (like in current Bach cases) that seem designed to
> eventually let your mouthpiece damage your horn.
>
> 4.  I still think for the money I paid that this is a heckuva good
> way to get introduced to alto bone.
>
> Howard
>
> At 06:01 AM 10/16/2007, Dave Demko wrote:
> >I have a lightly used Selman alto (nickel plated version) to evaluate
> >courtesy of Jim Battell. Here's a preliminary report, based on a good
> >close look at and some playing time with only one specimen of the rare
> >and authentic Selman.
> >
> >Fit and finish: The joints are all solidly put together. I can see
> >small bits of solder here and there that weren't thoroughly cleaned up
> >after assembly. The nut holding the slide and bell together is very
> >difficult to thread. I have to try several times when putting the horn
> >together. The tuning slide doesn't align properly; it's about a
> >millimeter off. I can get it in place, but it's tight and hard to
> >move, usable but annoying. The slide is decent. I could benefit from a
> >setup, I'm sure, but it works as-is. On the stone (OK, on the granite
> >countertop, which stands in pretty well as a level stone) the tubes
> >are straight and not torqued. The nickel plating is nice. Overall,
> >this horn is a cut (or several cuts) above the proverbial Chinese junk
> >that's easy to break and difficult or impossible to fix.
> >
> >Design: The slide lock works by rotating the entire outside of the
> >barrel. Even with the threads lubricated, I can't lock and unlock the
> >slide with a single-finger push. I have to take my hand off the slide
> >to grasp and turn the barrel. The slide bumpers are felt, not cork.
> >The braces are curved, like those on the Kuhnl & Hoyer Slokar model,
> >from which the Selman is copied. The horn fits comfortably in my
> >slightly smaller than average hand. The leadpipe doesn't seem
> >engineered for the horn. The fit is not snug at all. There's enough
> >space between the outside of the leadpipe and the inside of the inner
> >slide for condensation to form. I can tell that because of the water
> >spot and beginning of corrosion on part of the leadpipe's outer
> >surface. The mouthpiece receiver is visibly out of round and
> >mouthpieces don't fit properly. I have read that replacing the stock
> >leadpipe with a K&H improves this horn. From what I've seen, I believe
> >it.
> >
> >Sound and Intonation: My opinion doesn't count for much here, as I'm
> >an alto newbie with no basis for comparison. With the tuner handy, I
> >can play the thing in tune, so I guess there are no gross acoustical
> >oddities. Mouthpiece size seems to affect the tone quality more than
> >it does on a tenor. The imperfect mouthpiece/receiver fit is probably
> >degrading the tone I'm getting.
> >
> >Dave
> >
> >
> >On 10/15/07, t.stone at att.net <t.stone at att.net> wrote:
> > > Hi List,
> > >
> > > Does anyone have any first-hand experience with the Selman Alto
> > trombone? I keep seeing these advertised on E-Bay for the
> > Buy-It-Now price of $169.99. They look fantastic and are a bargain
> > at that price if they play well (that's a BIG if), and if they're
> > made well (that's another BIG if). I've searched and searched, but
> > can't much information about them or where they are made. What I
> > have found is just a lot of skepticism about how they play and
> > their quality, but no first-hand reports. They are offered by a
> > company called Great Tunes Direct located in Twin Falls, Idaho, and
> > shipped from their location. So, does anyone own one of these and
> > can tell  me how it plays, where it's made and what the quality of
> > workmanship is?
> > >
> > > Tim
> > > Northridge, CA
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
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