Blessing BTB-8

[spike]

I've played some of the old Blessings and they were generally decent instruments, but the new or newer Blessings are kind of a mystery to me. There's only one or two references to the 8h sized Blessing on this board. Does anyone have any experience with the BTB-8, and any comments on quality or playability or a comparison to Conn 8h, and in particular if its parts are interchangeable (bell/slide)?

[Tromboned]

I have a sliver BTB-8 and a Conn 88H. I just took a look at them and the slides/ bells are interchangeable. The tuning slides are not at least with my Gen 2 88H as the bell end slide nests in the bell section but the slide end goes over the slide side. On the BTB-8, both sides of the tuning slide nest into the bell section. I have never played a Conn 8H but compared to the 88H, the Blessing is not as heavy and the sound gets kind of harsh at loud dynamics. I don't find that to be the case with my Conn. I also really like my Conn slide. It is probably the best slide I have ever had. The Blessing works, it just isn't a smooth and it is lighter. My other complaint is the crossbar on the Blessing is farther back than other horns I have played so it feels strange when I first hold it and it is not as comfortable. The Blessing works for what I need it for and the 0.547 bore was a great improvement over the 0.500 horn I was using before. When I got the BTB-8, it was before Blessing was sold to St. Louis Music. I'm not sure if they still make these horns in Elkhart or not. I hope this helps.

[spike]

Ok, well that's the kind of info I was looking for. Not really what I wanted to hear, but it might keep me from buying a horn I don't want. I guess I really want an 8h, so I should probably just buy an 8h, not expect something else to play like an 8h.

I saw a US manufactured btb-8 which looked like it was in good shape. It was cheap, and thought I might save a few hundred bucks.

[LuvTD2b]

I have a B7 and a B88.....OK horns for students or improving players.....on par with other intermediates, not professionals, but for myself as a adult student they are fine. I have checked out and played a 88h and a 78h and they are better balanced and faster slides, but no surprise there. Can't expect a mansion at bungalow prices, but they aren't dogs either. More fair to compare the B88 to a 52H than a 88H in my opinion. They are overlooked and can be had on the cheapside which will always be appealing in the student and amateur scene. As far as mix and matching I often wondered the same, mostly if a bach 36 slide would mate with the b7. Than I get back to reality and tell myself when I am good enough to warrant a 36B I will sell my step ups and get my dream horn, not half of one. I just hope I get there before I need a walker.

[hyperbolica]

As far as mix and matching I often wondered the same, mostly if a bach 36 slide would mate with the b7....

Con you interchange the b7 and b8?

[LuvTD2b]

My B7 slide does attach with no problem to the B88 bell section, so I'm betting it would to the B8, which is the 547 straight. I don't have a B8 bell to try. It doesn't blow or sound right though...stuffy.....I guess if you had no options....but I wouldn't recommend it...they blow better with proper slides.