TromboneChat

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

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

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.

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

Small bore Bb/F great for pit work

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.

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

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

MrBadger wrote: ↑Fri Oct 29, 2021 12:34 am 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.

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.

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.

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

Ooooh! Nice!

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.

Matt K wrote: ↑Sat Feb 12, 2022 7:09 am 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!

Find out for only $1500 per valve!