New Rath R12F ordered :-)

[MrBadger]

Just wanted to share my experience at Rath HQ earlier this week…

I spent two hours testing small bore trombones and all the options with a very understanding and helpful Tim Sidwell.

As expected, I went in thinking I knew exactly what I wanted (an R10 with a trigger) and ended up with something different - which was an R12 with a trigger based on an R10 gooseneck.

My daily small bore driver for the last 20 years has been a Bach 16M - as many have said, the Rath is like a supercharged Bach - easy to blow, nicely slotted, a great core sound, and a range of timbre all depending on how you blow it!

It;s a bit off piste getting an F attachment with such a small bore trombone, but the sound I was able to get out of it promises that it will work well.

Just got to wait for them to craft it now

[hyperbolica]

That sounds like a great horn. Make sure to post pix when it comes in, maybe a recording.

[Jimkinkella]

A .500 bore with a trigger can definitely be a smoking horn!
I’m surprised more or the boutique mfrs. don’t offer that option.

[harrisonreed]

Love a trigger on a small horn. Valves these days just don't have a negative effect like the old designs used to.

[Vegasbound]

Small bore Bb/F great for pit work

[Matt K]

Oh man that’s real nice. I’m about 2 projects away, but I’m totally angling to get a 485ish bore with an F attachment at some point. More likely a g attachment though. That bore size us always eluded me. I have one in that bore size but I almost always play something a little bigger in the 500 to 508 range.

[Mikebmiller]

What is the bore of the valve section? Are the using the same one as the R3?

[MrBadger]

The valve section is based on an R10 gooseneck - Rath's are getting a suitably sized Hagmann valve for that.

[ithinknot]

The valve section is based on an R10 gooseneck - Rath's are getting a suitably sized Hagmann valve for that.

Are you getting a wider-than-standard slide too? That Hagmann might be making friends with your jugular otherwise.

[Hughes158]

I inherited an R2 with nickel bell and a Hagmann.

It has the standard width slide. It does mean it is a tighter fit but even though it is snug compared to a straight horn it is not uncomfortable or awkward.

As for the bore of the valve, I do not know. It sits on an R2 goose neck but i do not know if Rath used the same valve as for the R3 model. I must say the horn does play nicely, whatever the ergonomics and bores. Perhaps it is also the combination of bits but it is a fun horn and does give me a relaxed confidence when I play it.

I hope you enjoy your R12F.

[MrBadger]

I'm looking forward to it - the waiting is painful

I believe the valve isa special one sized for the R10 gooseneck that they have to order in as a non-standard.

[MrBadger]

And here she is at the Rath factory, ready to be packed and shipped

[hyperbolica]

Ooooh! Nice!

[Matt K]

For those of you wondering, Hagmann offers a 13.5mm (~.530) sized valve which is probably what this one is using. Would love to see how one of these would play on a 3BF at some point.

[Finetales]

For those of you wondering, Hagmann offers a 13.5mm (~.530) sized valve which is probably what this one is using. Would love to see how one of these would play on a 3BF at some point.

Or TWO of those!

[Burgerbob]

Find out for only $1500 per valve!