Professional Horns

[WilliamC3553]

I've been playing Trombone in Adult big bands for a few years now using my current trombone, (not sure of the model but is an old conn trombone small bore no f attachment) very good horn and few specialists I've to around my area have all said it's a good horn on its own and that I paid way too little compared to what it was actually worth (I paid around 650$ AUD and I've been told that I could have spent $3000 AUD and it would then be a fair price.

Anyway, I'm trying to look for a more professional horn, there is nothing inherently wrong with my current but I'm looking for more options currently. I love my current horn as it has that amazing old horn tone (hopefully people understand what I mean by that) and it has a beautiful bright sound almost perfect for my big band.

I'm not overly fond of using horns with the F attachment, though that could be because my second trombone (Yamaha Ysl 650) might not be the best horn but either way having the attachment is not part of my preference. However I do like the attachment because of the easy method to perform Trills, as I've never been able to do lip trills successfully even with many months of constant practice with my trombone teacher.

I recently stumbled across an old Conn trombone that actually had a Trill valve, and I really like that concept but I found out that they haven't really been made for a long time, at least commercially. I like the concept of alto trombones but I'm not sure if they are worth it in context as my understanding is that you can play higher but can't play as low in contrast. And I haven't seen anyone saying what that range generally is, so I am unsure of how low is not as low if that makes sense.

I'm not sure what type of trombone (if I ever do end up upgrading, as this is all future hypotheticals at the moment) Would be best for playing in lead big band context. If anyone has any suggestions that would be awesome but yeah thanks!

[hyperbolica]

I've been playing Trombone in Adult big bands for a few years now using my current trombone, (not sure of the model but is an old conn trombone small bore no f attachment) very good horn and few specialists I've to around my area have all said it's a good horn on its own and that I paid way too little compared to what it was actually worth (I paid around 650$ AUD and I've been told that I could have spent $3000 AUD and it would then be a fair price.

Huh. Must be rare and in great shape.

Anyway, I'm trying to look for a more professional horn, there is nothing inherently wrong with my current but I'm looking for more options currently. I love my current horn as it has that amazing old horn tone (hopefully people understand what I mean by that) and it has a beautiful bright sound almost perfect for my big band.

Yeah, lots of us get that amazing old horn tone...

I'm not overly fond of using horns with the F attachment, though that could be because my second trombone (Yamaha Ysl 650) might not be the best horn but either way having the attachment is not part of my preference. However I do like the attachment because of the easy method to perform Trills, as I've never been able to do lip trills successfully even with many months of constant practice with my trombone teacher.

I recently stumbled across an old Conn trombone that actually had a Trill valve,

Well, I don't doubt what you can find in Australia.

... and I really like that concept but I found out that they haven't really been made for a long time, at least commercially. I like the concept of alto trombones but I'm not sure if they are worth it in context as my understanding is that you can play higher but can't play as low in contrast. And I haven't seen anyone saying what that range generally is, so I am unsure of how low is not as low if that makes sense.

I'm not sure what type of trombone (if I ever do end up upgrading, as this is all future hypotheticals at the moment) Would be best for playing in lead big band context. If anyone has any suggestions that would be awesome but yeah thanks!

Wow. Small bore for playing lead is a huge list. Conn 4h, 6h, 12h, 30h, 38h, 48h, 24h, 100h... King 2b, 2b+, 3b ...Bach 6, 8, 12, 16 ... Olds Super, Recording... And then there are more modern horns...

$3000 is an awful lot for an old Conn. Can't even think of what that would be. Or what would be an upgrade from that. A new or even just different horn doesn't have to be an upgrade it can just be different. It's ok to own multiple trombones. If you want a small bore horn with an F attachment, you could get a 3bf. That's kind of the standard for that kind of thing, and you could even play lead on that. And trills on the F valve - keep working on that "shake" or lip trill. I've never seen an old Conn with a trill valve. not sure what that would be aside from a custom job. And an alto in a big band would be a novelty. Not to say it wouldn't work, but the purpose and sound of an alto trombone is really different from a small bore tenor. Stick with the tenors.

[BGuttman]

What model Conn are you playing? Is it marked Connstellation? Does it have tuning in the slide?

What chair are you playing? I've found that an F-attachment is useful for 3rd chair and mandatory for 4th chair (bass trombone). Playing 1st or 2nd chair can easily be played on a straight trombone. Nobody regularly uses an alto trombone in Big Band.

Some nice straight tenors (12.3 mm, 12.7 mm, and 12.9 mm bore) might be:

Bach 6, 8, 9, 12, 16
Benge 170
Conn 4H, 6H, 10H, 12H, 24H, 38H, 40H, 48H, 100H
Edwards T-302
Holton TR-65, 67 (Stratodyne), 69
Jupiter XO 1632, 1634
King 2B, 2BPlus, 3B
Martin Committee, Urbie Green
Olds Radio, Recording, Super, Studio
Reynolds Contempora, Argenta
Schmeltzer 1
Shires MD, MD+
Yamaha TR-652, 691, 695, 697, 891, 897

There are probably more. Some may not be an improvement on what you have now. Some will be VERY expensive.

Good luck.

[WilliamC3553]

I've never seen an old Conn with a trill valve. not sure what that would be aside from a custom job. And an alto in a big band would be a novelty. Not to say it wouldn't work, but the purpose and sound of an alto trombone is really different from a small bore tenor. Stick with the tenors.

In case you might be interested I took the link off of another post I made regarding the trill valve.


https://cderksen.home.xs4all.nl/Conn10H1920image.html


It is actually quite cool but someone responded saying they haven't been made in decades so yeah. It's a beautiful thing and at my current mindset that is exactly what I would want but yeah probably way too hard to find.

[rudytbone]

Nothing against buying a new, or new "old" horn, but if there's nothing lacking in your current horn, I don't see much reason to change.
One thing I would not do is sell your current horn to finance the "new" one. I did that once and regretted it for many years. Since fixed, but took nearly 20 years.

[WilliamC3553]

One thing I would not do is sell your current horn to finance the "new" one. I did that once and regretted it for many years. Since fixed, but took nearly 20 years.

Yeah I never planned on selling my current and regarding the start of the reply it is very hypothetical probably for the next long while cause I first need to save and do the proper research before doing it. I’m just planning for the future

[Digidog]

I've been playing Trombone in Adult big bands for a few years now using my current trombone, (not sure of the model but is an old conn trombone small bore no f attachment) very good horn and few specialists I've to around my area have all said it's a good horn on its own and that I paid way too little compared to what it was actually worth (I paid around 650$ AUD and I've been told that I could have spent $3000 AUD and it would then be a fair price.

Anyway, I'm trying to look for a more professional horn, there is nothing inherently wrong with my current but I'm looking for more options currently. I love my current horn as it has that amazing old horn tone (hopefully people understand what I mean by that) and it has a beautiful bright sound almost perfect for my big band.

I'm not overly fond of using horns with the F attachment, though that could be because my second trombone (Yamaha Ysl 650) might not be the best horn but either way having the attachment is not part of my preference. However I do like the attachment because of the easy method to perform Trills, as I've never been able to do lip trills successfully even with many months of constant practice with my trombone teacher.

I recently stumbled across an old Conn trombone that actually had a Trill valve, and I really like that concept but I found out that they haven't really been made for a long time, at least commercially. I like the concept of alto trombones but I'm not sure if they are worth it in context as my understanding is that you can play higher but can't play as low in contrast. And I haven't seen anyone saying what that range generally is, so I am unsure of how low is not as low if that makes sense.

I'm not sure what type of trombone (if I ever do end up upgrading, as this is all future hypotheticals at the moment) Would be best for playing in lead big band context. If anyone has any suggestions that would be awesome but yeah thanks!

$3000 AUD for an old Conn does not sound plausible, unless your horn is really, really, really rare and in absolute fantastic condition.

If you are happy with your current horn, if it sounds and plays as you need and want it to, I see no real need for a change. The only reason I could think of, is if your horn is so old, worn and rare that you no longer want to use it out and wear and tear on it (as it can be hard to repair and replace parts on a too old brass instrument).

However: If you are determined to get another horn for playing big band lead, the options are numerous and so many of the small bore horns that have been made and are made would fit what you look for, that you just have to go out and try as many as you possibly can. Make an event of it: Like a short vacation weekend trip for trombone testing.