Small Bore Recommendations

[shinythings7]

Hi all,

I'm getting back into playing trombone. It'll be my first time getting into the world of the small bore horns. I've played on mostly Holtons and Bachs, but they were all large bore or basses. I'm not picky on the brand or anything. It would need to be something that has a wide slide, as I have a large neck. Any and all help would be appreciated.

[harrisonreed]

I can't think of a single wide crook small tenor...*

*That isn't a custom horn that no longer plays like a stock version.

[dukesboneman]

Since you only played large bore horns a "smaller" horn with a wide slide would be a Bach 36

[harrisonreed]

The Bach 36 isn't like a 42 width though. It's been ages, but I vaguely remember it being not as wide.

[tctb]

I would suggest you try a Yamaha 891Z or an 897Z as both seem to suit players with wider necks.

[hyperbolica]

Conn 78h has a wide slide, plays brighter than 36b.

[brtnats]

The Bach 36 isn't like a 42 width though. It's been ages, but I vaguely remember it being not as wide.

36 slide width is comparable to an 88H, with a more square crook.

How small you talking? +1 for 891Z or its smaller brother 897Z. They’re consistent, blow big, come with interchangeable leadpipes as standard. Something a little physically bigger? Think .525.

Want to experiment at a low cost? King 3B.

[shinythings7]

These are all some great suggestions. I'm actually looking at stuff in the .508" and smaller range. Definitely small bore. I'll eventually go medium bore if I feel as though I can't blend with larger horns, but that won't be a concern for a bit.

So from what I understand, not a lot of options .500" and smaller with wide crooks stock, if at all? Anyone have any replacement part suggestions that aren't from the boutique brands? Not trying to spend that kind of money when I don't know what I'm doing yet.

[hyperbolica]

There was a thread here a few months back that talked about slide widths for small bores. I think the consensus was that the widest small bore slide was a Besson. That thread was at this link https://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=10859

[HawaiiTromboneGuy]

King 3B/F

[mrdeacon]

There isn't really anything stock that comes with a WIDE slide... King 3B and 78h will probably be the widest slides without going the WIDE slide option. There are WIDE crooks floating around and a few techs out there can whip you one up.

This might seem like an odd suggestion... I'm also primarily a Bass Trombone player. Big fan of Holton and Bach large tenor and bass bones. I'm a really big fan of Bach style small tenors!

I know they seem small... especially with the 7 1/2" bell but they are super easy to play and I feel offer a similar blow to the larger horns.

I'm a huge fan of my Rath R1 which is similar to a Bach 16. Nice open blow and with the square crook plays really similar to my basses. I really want to own a Bach 12 or Bach 6 or 8 at some point!

[Matt K]

The only "stock" horn that I am aware of that has a wide slide and takes a small shank mouthpiece is a Shires medium bore. A TW25 slide is "Bach" width.

Beyond that, a tech can modify the slide receiver of most bell sections to be more angled by heating up the solder a little and bending it. Might make more sense to go that route.