TromboneChat

I own two bass bones. My 72H lives in Cleveland and I love it! I play mainly big band and I get a very compact, centered, and edgey sound which I love!

My TR180 stays in Florida and I just kind of like it. The sound spreads too much for my taste and not enough edge. It’s bone stock and I’m playing it with a V cup Macinkowitz 1 1/2 G. I’ve also added a 10” piece of peel and stick foam weather stripping to the bell flare which seems to help.

What other mods can I make to the 180 to get the sound I’m after or should I just trade it in on a vintage Conn?

Nothing else is much like a small taper Conn (71/72/73H), so if that's what you like just get another. Holtons are fundamentally wider sounding, especially with the 10" bell, so don't fight it.

73H if you want a dependent double like the 180. Assuming equivalent condition, valuewise those two would probably be a straight trade, so you might even find someone who wants to swap.

Agreed.

Are you playing both horns with the same mouthpiece? Is your Marcinkiewicz 1 1/2 G a custom mouthpiece? I am not really seeing a reference to “deep v” on Marcinkiewicz’s site.

Unpopular opinion, but wrap the throat of the bell with leather, tape, or suede. You can add metal rods to add weight. This will give you more focus and fundamental / core.

Conns and Holtons are apples and oranges. The 10inch bell doesn’t help on the 180 either. Sounds like you are a vintage Conn guy.

Calderpips tone halo?

Had a similar problem with my Williams. Put some weight on the handslide and it‘s solved. I taped some plated of lead on it, in total 80 gramms. Works very good.

Ugh. I would never do that to a slide.

Word of warning: electrical tape like that will trap moisture and corrode the brass.

Brass Exchange out of St Louis has a 72H in playable but rough condition at a reasonable price. He takes trades and consignments.