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What was Tommy Dorsey’s exact set up?
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2022 11:38 pm
by Supermanalito
Title has the question, but a fellow in my big band (trumpet player) likes to put together historical instruments. His next project he wants to put together is a historically accurate set up of the trombone Tommy played. I think he famously played on a 2b and in looking at old videos, it appears it’s gold plated?!?! Is that right? Or is the color distorted in those older videos? I also have heard he played on a smaller hard to find mouthpiece, but I don’t remember what kind. I know there are some of you trombone history buffs out there that can lend some accurate information to my foggy memory. Let me know
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Re: What was Tommy Dorsey’s exact set up?
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2022 12:19 am
by Vegasbound
TD used an Almont mouthpiece made from sterling silver, Greg black reproduces a version
His horn was custom made, friction fit,no slide lock with a trumpet style water key (as in the Jiggs model) TD liked his horns to be light, so not really a 2b, yes they where gold plated and heavily engraved.
Re: What was Tommy Dorsey’s exact set up?
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2022 4:34 am
by officermayo
Vegasbound wrote: ↑Wed Nov 30, 2022 12:19 am
TD used an Almont mouthpiece made from sterling silver, Greg black reproduces a version
His horn was custom made, friction fit,no slide lock with a trumpet style water key (as in the Jiggs model) TD liked his horns to be light, so not really a 2b, yes they where gold plated and heavily engraved.
Re: What was Tommy Dorsey’s exact set up?
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:14 pm
by Vegasbound
I have seen those pics before, but look at any photo of TD where you get a good look at his horn and it’s friction fit no slide lock
Re: What was Tommy Dorsey’s exact set up?
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:57 pm
by ithinknot
Vegasbound wrote: ↑Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:14 pm
I have seen those pics before, but look at any photo of TD where you get a good look at his horn and it’s friction fit no slide lock
They probably made him dozens of horns over the years. From photos and videos, oversleeves and
even the occasional slide lock come and go. I've never seen a photo with the Jiggs/trumpet water key, only the standard one, but I don't doubt that it happened at some point.
Re: What was Tommy Dorsey’s exact set up?
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2022 3:22 pm
by officermayo
ithinknot wrote: ↑Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:57 pm
Vegasbound wrote: ↑Wed Nov 30, 2022 2:14 pm
I have seen those pics before, but look at any photo of TD where you get a good look at his horn and it’s friction fit no slide lock
They probably made him dozens of horns over the years. From photos and videos, oversleeves and
even the occasional slide lock come and go. I've never seen a photo with the Jiggs/trumpet water key, only the standard one, but I don't doubt that it happened at some point.
TD had King make a bunch of horns. He'd use them a while and then give them away. There's no telling how many Kings he got over the years.
Re: What was Tommy Dorsey’s exact set up?
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 5:57 pm
by dxhall
Legend has it that one of Tommy’s horns was stomped flat by Jimmy during an on-stage argument.
Re: What was Tommy Dorsey’s exact set up?
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 7:53 pm
by Posaunus
dxhall wrote: ↑Thu Dec 01, 2022 5:57 pm
Legend has it that one of Tommy’s horns was stomped flat by Jimmy during an on-stage argument.
The Dorseys were never known as mild-mannered angels, were they?
Wish I'd grilled Sammy Nestico more when I spent time with him several years ago. He always told good tales!
Re: What was Tommy Dorsey’s exact set up?
Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2023 8:54 am
by Macbone1
dxhall wrote: ↑Thu Dec 01, 2022 5:57 pm
Legend has it that one of Tommy’s horns was stomped flat by Jimmy during an on-stage argument.
Not surprised. I wouldn't doubt that a nip or 4 of Irish or Scotch "lubricant" helped that to occur. I also heard that Tommy had a King coffin case fitted out to carry several spare slides on the road (perhaps right after this incident?)
Re: What was Tommy Dorsey’s exact set up?
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:10 am
by Macbone1
officermayo wrote: ↑Wed Nov 30, 2022 4:34 am
Vegasbound wrote: ↑Wed Nov 30, 2022 12:19 am
TD used an Almont mouthpiece made from sterling silver, Greg black reproduces a version
Quite a tiny mouthpiece too, if memory serves. Worked well for Tommy, a former cornet player, and it helped on those long gigs with all that high register playing.
Re: What was Tommy Dorsey’s exact set up?
Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2023 5:27 pm
by MaxPirone
Few Dorsey's photos...I played a Dorsey's bell at Alan Kaplan 's house before made his Kanstul model copied this bell...was a really lighter bell more open in troath the 2b ...7 1/2 bell really different then 2b...
