New Axe Help!

[trambonetim11]

Hey all!
I am in the market for a new axe and am looking for advice. I mostly play lead in the Army Band. Brass band, swing band, and solo jazz is what I mostly play. For concert and orchestral playing I use a Bach 42 that the army gives me so I am looking for a pea shooter. I want the ease of a small bore but something a bit more versatile... kind of a do all horn with a larger bore. I have narrowed it down to a Edwards T302, Shores Michael Davis plus, and a BAC paseo... any help would be awesome!

[paulyg]

King 3B

[harrisonreed]

How have you narrowed it down to those options?

[Pre59]

"Pea Shooter"...

[Burgerbob]

Hey, Tim!

Get a 3B!

[hyperbolica]

The 3b and the Shires MD+ are both great horns. Also the Yamaha 891. Of the three, I prefer the Shires, although it's hard to go wrong with any of them. The Shires was more versatile and more neutral in my opinion.

[Trevorspaulding376]

T302 or paseo

[johntarr]

Lawler model one or two, seriously.

[afugate]

3BF or Yamaha 356.

--Andy in OKC

[Matt K]

If I had spare bread I'd buy an MD or MD+ with an F attachment today. Those are killer horns, at least for me. And a little bit of a departure from the normal Shires setups which often lean a little bit on the larger side.

[Mv2541]

If I had spare bread I'd buy an MD or MD+ with an F attachment today. Those are killer horns, at least for me. And a little bit of a departure from the normal Shires setups which often lean a little bit on the larger side.

I think the 1.5 tuning slide helps make the small bores play more normal. The no marking tuning slides are huge! (And I think the MD and plus have the 1.5 tuning slides)

[bkessler]

I realize it's not in your list, but do take a look at Lawler as well. I've never played a small bore that I've been happier with, and the multiple flares are great for versatility. I specifically got a .508 with two flares that are really different in character so that I could have maximum versatility in sound.

[ssking2b]

Try The new XO 1634. Designed by Fedchock as a .508 bore horn. Easily the equal or better than the MD+ Shires, and a much better price!

[Matt K]

If I had spare bread I'd buy an MD or MD+ with an F attachment today. Those are killer horns, at least for me. And a little bit of a departure from the normal Shires setups which often lean a little bit on the larger side.

I think the 1.5 tuning slide helps make the small bores play more normal. The no marking tuning slides are huge! (And I think the MD and plus have the 1.5 tuning slides)

Yeah that's likely it. Normally I actually like the larger size... I've been playing a 356 or a 646 for most of my commercial stuff other than lead. I have a slightly unorthodox setup though with a pretty shallow piece for that but I've never had a problem being bright. Quite the contrary But the MD+ really straddles that line nicely for me where it's not too bright but its still small enough to be more efficient than just about anything I've played. Really good work on the R&D for that one.

[TromboneSam]

+1 for the 3B! It’s my main horn for all my work. It’s also all I use in my Army Band’s small ensembles. If my commander wants a bigger sound for concert band I play my 8H, and you already have that covered with your 42.