Questions: Olds Flugabone and Yamaha slide bone

[thecoast]

A few months ago, I got an Olds flugabone/marching trombone and posted about my experience with it. A few days ago, my trombone fanatic brother-in-law bought me a used Yamaha YSL354 (for the irresistible price of $125). It’s in really decent condition. I didn’t know what to look for (and maybe still don’t), but after closer inspection at home, it seems that the slide doesn’t belong to the the bell. They fit, and the bone sounds fine (no air escape that I can tell), but the lock nut hook doesn’t reach the lock. By a couple inches. And the slide says DZ instead of Yamaha on it. Maybe that’s what the slide is supposed to say, but I don’t know and that’s why, in part, I’m posting to find out. But for sure, it doesn’t belong because the lock is way too far away from the lock nut hook. I think a repair tech can move it and place it so that it works. Will check on that soon. Otherwise, I just have to be really, really careful to not let the slide drop.

I noticed that my slide trombone seems easier to play than my flugabone. I also noticed that the flugabone has a warmer/darker sound and the slide bone is brighter and seems louder than the flugabone. Pedal tones are easier for me on the flugabone than on the slide bone. I got an app on my iPad that shows the slide positions (very handy), and I’m getting the idea of how that’s supposed to work.

Anyway, seems to me like the slide trombone and the flugabone are very different animals. I like them both, but each gives me a different vibe. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[thecoast]

A few months ago, I got an Olds flugabone/marching trombone and posted about my experience with it. A few days ago, my trombone fanatic brother-in-law bought me a used Yamaha YSL354 (for the irresistible price of $125). It’s in really decent condition. I didn’t know what to look for (and maybe still don’t), but after closer inspection at home, it seems that the slide doesn’t belong to the the bell. They fit, and the bone sounds fine (no air escape that I can tell), but the lock nut hook doesn’t reach the lock. By a couple inches. And the slide says DZ instead of Yamaha on it. Maybe that’s what the slide is supposed to say, but I don’t know and that’s why, in part, I’m posting to find out. But for sure, it doesn’t belong because the lock is way too far away from the lock nut hook. I think a repair tech can move it and place it so that it works. Will check on that soon. Otherwise, I just have to be really, really careful to not let the slide drop.

I noticed that my slide trombone seems easier to play than my flugabone. I also noticed that the flugabone has a warmer/darker sound and the slide bone is brighter and seems louder than the flugabone. Pedal tones are easier for me on the flugabone than on the slide bone. I got an app on my iPad that shows the slide positions (very handy), and I’m getting the idea of how that’s supposed to work.

Anyway, seems to me like the slide trombone and the flugabone are very different animals. I like them both, but each gives me a different vibe. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[hyperbolica]

As long as it fits and works, just have the slide lock piece on the outer hand slide moved. It will probably be fine.

About the Flugabone, though, yeah, i've got an Olds like that, and it is very dark, and maybe a less open blow than a straight trombone. Definitely different vibes. I'll sit back in a recliner and play mellow Beatles tunes with the flugabone, but with the trombone I have to sit up straight, and it's easier to work up a sweat. Enjoy them, though, both nice playing instruments.

[BGuttman]

First, I think you have a replacement slide on the Yamaha. The original slide would have fit and the lock nut would have gone on correctly. If the slide works OK, you could have a tech replace the tenon with a Yamaha 354 tenon (not terribly expensive) and everything should fit together properly. Or you could just find an old 354 (or even 352) slide.

The Olds has a different taper than the Yamaha: more conical and less cylindrical. This will make that warm/dark effect you noticed. Also, all the bends add resistance to the blow. A trombone has very few bends and little to impede airflow and thus will feel more "open".

You are right: they are actually two different instruments, especially in how they play. Learn how they respond in different applications and enjoy fitting the right tool to the job.