[Trombone-l] bass trumpet

Wed Jun 18 08:05:23 CDT 2008

My answer isn't necessarily going to be popular, but here's what I think:

The difference between a bass trumpet and a "marching" trombone is what the maker calls it.

There are bright sounding valve bones, and dark sounding trumpets.  Some of each really do sound like trumpets.  Some of both - to my ear (Bach, Getzen) sound like pea-shooter bones.  In general, I think the bore profile of the "trumpets" tend to be narrower overall.  But put a 22EW into an Olds Marching bone and you'll be surprised at how "trumpet-like" it sounds.

Put valves on a big-bore contrabass trombone, you get a "cimbasso".  Lower the cost of a bass trumpet, you get a "marching trombone".

Remember, there are a HUGE variety of bores and bore profiles in trombones (doesn't trombone mean "big trumpet"?) and trumpets.  Jazz trumpets with .485 bores.  Peashooter bones with .454 bores. Pocket trumpets, marching trombones, "double sized trumpets" (King)... And somewhere in this mess, bass trumpets and valve trombones.

Honestly, I think there are what they're called by the maker.  I've made three now.  The first was ugly, but was used happily for "Rite" without question.  The second one is played a LOT, and the owner has no complaints - even with a .509 bore.  It's all what your tonal concept says as a maker and a buyer.

That said - the Summit CD with bass trumpet (drawing blank on the name) - RAD tone color!

You may flame me now...

J.c.S.

---- Adrian Drover <slide at adios.co.uk> wrote: 
> 
> 
> > From: Daniel Pliskin
> > 
> > I asked a question a week ago and got no answer.  I'll ask again.
> > 
> > What's the difference between a bass trumpet and a marching trombone, like
> > the following?
> 
> 
> I also asked the list what the difference was between a bass trumpet and a
> valve trombone and got no answer.  I should imagine, Dan, that there is very
> little difference other than the way the tubing is wound.  The two pictures
> you posted were Both bass trumpets, yet one was shaped more like a cornet.
> I guess the style of wrapping has an effect on how it sounds and I'm certain
> that no valve trombone comes close in sound to that of a slide trombone.
> 
> A.
> 
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