.562" gold tube/wide nickel crook slide. 9.5" 2 piece red brass bell, with seamed red brass tuning slide and gooseneck. Features some Olde School touches such as the soldered leadpipe, tuning slide bow guard, traditional wrap, friction fit slide and under-the-thumb lever. I wish now I had left off the slide lock!
My new Favorite trombone!
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My new Favorite trombone!
My new favorite trombone!
.562" gold tube/wide nickel crook slide. 9.5" 2 piece red brass bell, with seamed red brass tuning slide and gooseneck. Features some Olde School touches such as the soldered leadpipe, tuning slide bow guard, traditional wrap, friction fit slide and under-the-thumb lever. I wish now I had left off the slide lock!
Also spent some time practicing my engraving. Slide pulls to E, and the horn has very solid low C (on F side) and B natural (on E side)
.562" gold tube/wide nickel crook slide. 9.5" 2 piece red brass bell, with seamed red brass tuning slide and gooseneck. Features some Olde School touches such as the soldered leadpipe, tuning slide bow guard, traditional wrap, friction fit slide and under-the-thumb lever. I wish now I had left off the slide lock!
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Last edited by hornbuilder on Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
Additional photos.
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Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
Matthew,
She's beautiful.
Will you keep her or sell?
She's beautiful.
Will you keep her or sell?
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
I made this for myself. But if someone just "had" to have this horn, I'm sure we could come to an agreement! 
Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
- SwissTbone
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
Holy moly!
Modern 60h?
Can I geek out a bit?
Did you consider TIS? Why? Why not?
Tuning slide guard only for looks or is there a difference in sound/playing?
Modern 60h?
Can I geek out a bit?
Did you consider TIS? Why? Why not?
Tuning slide guard only for looks or is there a difference in sound/playing?
ƒƒ---------------------------------------------------ƒƒ
Like trombones? Head over to https://swisstbone.com/ to see some great vintage and custom horns!
Like trombones? Head over to https://swisstbone.com/ to see some great vintage and custom horns!
- Neo Bri
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
Pretty amazing...I'm jealous.
Brian
Former United States Army Field Band
https://keegansoundandvision.com/index.php/media/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnbwO7 ... eTnoq7EVwQ
Former United States Army Field Band
https://keegansoundandvision.com/index.php/media/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnbwO7 ... eTnoq7EVwQ
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
SwissTbone.
We have made TIS versions of this. I just wanted TIB. No specific reason.
The bow guard does tend to induce a little focus, compared to a bow without the guard.
We have made TIS versions of this. I just wanted TIB. No specific reason.
The bow guard does tend to induce a little focus, compared to a bow without the guard.
Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
Keats
Keats
Kenneth Biggs
I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.
—Mark Twain (attributed)
I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.
—Mark Twain (attributed)
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
Amazing! Beautiful! Also really cool. 

- RConrad
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
That's one nice looking horn. I really like the use of red brass and how it contrasts with the f attachment. Nice touch! Why did you decide to go with a friction fit?
Robert C
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
R CONRAD.
The friction fit was done on a whim. I could do it, so why not? I am acknowledging the instruments that set the standard all.those years ago.
The friction fit was done on a whim. I could do it, so why not? I am acknowledging the instruments that set the standard all.those years ago.
Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
- SwissTbone
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
It looks really elegant!hornbuilder wrote: ↑Sat Dec 19, 2020 12:21 pm R CONRAD.
The friction fit was done on a whim. I could do it, so why not? I am acknowledging the instruments that set the standard all.those years ago.
ƒƒ---------------------------------------------------ƒƒ
Like trombones? Head over to https://swisstbone.com/ to see some great vintage and custom horns!
Like trombones? Head over to https://swisstbone.com/ to see some great vintage and custom horns!
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
Wow! What a beautiful instrument.
- RConrad
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
I think it was a good choice for the horn, flows nicely with the other design choices you made. How's it play?hornbuilder wrote: ↑Sat Dec 19, 2020 12:21 pm R CONRAD.
The friction fit was done on a whim. I could do it, so why not? I am acknowledging the instruments that set the standard all.those years ago.
Robert C
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!

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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
In the words of my 10 year old...totes jeals!
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
Eye candy/horn porn at its best.
Current instruments:
Olds Studio trombone, 3 trumpets, 1 flugelhorn, 1 cornet, 1 shofar, 1 keyboard
Previous trombones:
Selmer Bundy, Marceau
Olds Studio trombone, 3 trumpets, 1 flugelhorn, 1 cornet, 1 shofar, 1 keyboard
Previous trombones:
Selmer Bundy, Marceau
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
How does it play? Fabulously well!
Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
Interesting choice of mechanical linkage on the valve. Why not go for string linkage like the old Conns?
Kenneth Biggs
I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.
—Mark Twain (attributed)
I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.
—Mark Twain (attributed)
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
Matt, very impressive! Do you go with soldered or unsoldered rim, and if you soldered in the leadpipe, what did you go with? Thank you.
- Savio
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
Looks so nice. Wish I could try it!
Leif.
Leif.
- DougHulme
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
Matt - you keep making my horn for me - one of these days I am coming to collect!!... Doug
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
NICE!!!!! What a great looking horn, classic Single Valve bass. Love the E-pull as well.
David S. - daveyboy37 from TTF
Bach 39, LT36B, 42BOF & 42T, King 2103 / 3b, Kanstul 1570CR & 1588CR, Yamaha YBL-612 RII, YBL-822G & YBL-830, Sterling 1056GHS Euphonium,
Livingston Symphony Orchestra NJ - Trombone
Bach 39, LT36B, 42BOF & 42T, King 2103 / 3b, Kanstul 1570CR & 1588CR, Yamaha YBL-612 RII, YBL-822G & YBL-830, Sterling 1056GHS Euphonium,
Livingston Symphony Orchestra NJ - Trombone
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
How does the guard on the tuning slide affect it playing wise? Looks great in contrast to the red brass
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
David.
The bell rim is un-soldered.
The leadpipe is an MK50L. I can't play small pieces, and generally speaking, a Conn type pipe, being typically quite open, and short, makes a big mouthpiece too much. The tighter, longer, Bach type pipe suits a bigger mouthpiece quite well.
The bell rim is un-soldered.
The leadpipe is an MK50L. I can't play small pieces, and generally speaking, a Conn type pipe, being typically quite open, and short, makes a big mouthpiece too much. The tighter, longer, Bach type pipe suits a bigger mouthpiece quite well.
Last edited by hornbuilder on Tue Dec 22, 2020 8:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
- Vegastokc
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
The more I look at it the more the horn just gets more stunning. 

Michael Saffier
I ate twice as much lasagna as I should have...
I ate twice as much lasagna as I should have...
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
That is a very interesting observation about tighter and longer leadpipes suiting the bigger mouthpieces better.hornbuilder wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 9:45 pm David.
The bell rimnis un-soldered.
The leadpipe is an MK50L. I can't play small pieces, and generally speaking, a Conn type pipe, being typically quite open, and short, makes a big mouthpiece too much. The tighter, longer, Bach type pipe suits a bigger mouthpiece quite well.
Do you find that to be a general phenomenon or more something that is a personal thing for you?
Beautiful work by the way!
I play M&W’s myself and couldn’t be happier with them!
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
Chat name.
Regarding the leadpipes, that observation was made through my own experience. I just find the Bach type pipe well suited to the this type of horn, at this point in my playing life.
Regarding the leadpipes, that observation was made through my own experience. I just find the Bach type pipe well suited to the this type of horn, at this point in my playing life.
Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
That’s interesting. Thank you!
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Re: My new Favorite trombone!
Matt Walker wrote, " a Conn type pipe, being typically quite open, and short, makes a big mouthpiece too much. The tighter, longer, Bach type pipe suits a bigger mouthpiece quite well."
This may go far to explain why we often hear that vintage bass trombones play better with mouthpieces that are not too large!
I too have a MK50 lead pipe. It's very good on the Yamaha 613H I have that you set up to have interchangeable pipes. Perhaps a little easier to play or just a more conventional feel than stock. However on my Bach 50A3 the MK50 is transformative! It is by far the best lead pipe I've used on a Bach, and while keeping the good aspects of the Bach sound, improves the response and openness to the point that it's almost as good as my Shires, which is a great horn but not as deep sounding as the Bach. It may be elusive getting the best possible sound with the easiest to play, as they say in calculus, you can only maximize on variable.
This may go far to explain why we often hear that vintage bass trombones play better with mouthpieces that are not too large!
I too have a MK50 lead pipe. It's very good on the Yamaha 613H I have that you set up to have interchangeable pipes. Perhaps a little easier to play or just a more conventional feel than stock. However on my Bach 50A3 the MK50 is transformative! It is by far the best lead pipe I've used on a Bach, and while keeping the good aspects of the Bach sound, improves the response and openness to the point that it's almost as good as my Shires, which is a great horn but not as deep sounding as the Bach. It may be elusive getting the best possible sound with the easiest to play, as they say in calculus, you can only maximize on variable.