FS: My Rath R4F

[ttf_mark fellows]

http://s1126.photobucket.com/user/mfellows821/library/?sort=2&page=1

$2995 Firm plus shipping - I can take paypal

Rath R4F Custom Professional Trombone
Hagmann Valve with Open Wrap
8 1/2 Inch Rose Brass Bell
.547 Large Bore
No Dents
Perfect Slide Action

This has been my main trombone for the last seven years or so and it is with SERIOUS reservations that I am selling it. I have loved this horn and still do. I just found another that seems to fit me a bit better and cannot justify having this one sit unused. I am still playing a Rath Bass Trombone and jazz horn.

Rath is a custom trombone builder in England, owned and operated by Mick Rath. I have had the opportunity to meet him and buy from him in person and he is the finest gentleman you could ever meet. It is easy to immediately sense he knows exactly what he is doing in building trombones.
His top of the line (this is one of them) trombones are modular- you can build your best fit a piece at a time.
 I bought the bell and valve with a different tuning slide, hand slide and leadpipe and have changed components over the years. The bell is rose brass and fairly light- Similar to the legendary Conn 88h's of the 60's. The Hagmann valve is quick and very open blowing and much lighter than the now popular Thayer type axial valves. It is Raths most expensive choice.

I chose a yellow brass tuning slide and later moved to one with the extra weights on it that you now see along with putting a heavy valve cap on the Hagmann valve. I moved from a rose outer slide to yellow. All this seemed to give the horn a better lower end and more projection. It also felt more solid and slotted better.

To sum up in my mind. I get the coloring and flexibility of a Conn 88H with some of Bach's bigger and heavier characteristics- Kind of the best of both worlds and in my mind, the best valve made today.

I am a believer that your sound is the most important feature of any player and this trombone gave me a beautiful warm sound. When I pushed air, it could fill a room or hall. It can easily soar into the upper register and can pop a pedal.

Condition reflects my love for the instrument. I always used leather grips to protect the finish at hand and neck contact points. As you can see, they did their job. It never had any dents and lacquer is gorgeous as you can see. The slide is my idea of perfection, very fast and free, smooth and completely silent. I use Ultra Pure lube which does not solve slide issues- it just makes very good slides better.

Comes with two leadpipes. I bought the darker one that I use- liked it better than the one that came with it and never thought about changing again.

No mouthpiece with this one. A custom horn should have a mouthpiece that has been auditioned and found to be the best fit of the player and the horn. I used a Greigo but also am a fan of Giddings stainless pieces.

Case is also in premium condition- fits and protects well and I find good looking.

With these options a new R4F sells for more than $5000 without the case. This is a chance to get one in superb condition for a good value.

I will ship to the lower 48 states well packed for $60 and elsewhere for actual cost by US Postal service. Europe and Japan should expect to pay about $100 for shipping, Australia about $120

email me at [url=mailto:[email protected]][email protected][/url] or call me at 253 241 0932

[ttf_mark fellows]

Now on Ebay with a lower starting price

https://www.ebay.com/itm/162736315227

[ttf_MikeBMiller]

It would be a crime if someone got that horn for $2k. You should look at having Dillons sell it for you on consignment. They take 15%, which is pretty reasonable.

[ttf_mark fellows]

Usually Ebay ends up selling for pretty much what the instrument is worth. Sometimes a bit less sometimes a bit more. I usually figure a trombone in good condition will sell for about half of the price of a new one. When it is in all but new condition a bit more. I am curious to see what this one will go for because not a lot of players know about Rath.

[ttf_mark fellows]

SOLD