TromboneChat

I recently aquired an “American Triumph” by Harry Pedler & Sons trombone, and it came with a locking case. I have the key but I cant figure out how to lock it, can anyone help?

Why lock it? Every case-locking musician that I have known (only a few) has regretted locking it. Why? Because they would show up at a rehearsal or gig with the case locked and realize that they left the key at home!

I was a public school band/orchestra director for 38 years. Whenever students would show up with a case that had locking latches, I would advise them to throw the key away. Those who took my advice were fine. Those who didn’t would inevitably show up and a rehearsal in the first month with a locked case…..but the key was left at home.

Also if people want to steal the trombone they will typically not take it out the case first.

Perhaps the OP wants to keep his overstuffed wallet in his case when he's playing the trombone?

Crazy4Tbone86 wrote: ↑Sun May 11, 2025 5:25 pm I was a public school band/orchestra director for 38 years. Whenever students would show up with a case that had locking latches, I would advise them to throw the key away.

Sounds like bad advice. I can't help but imagine a lone prankster among the students, who would lock his friends' cases. Keep the key, but for unlocking only.

Never had such a problem…..and I had average of 400 + students for many years. The only problems I had were:

*Students locking their cases and leaving the key at home.

*Trombone students storing the fold-up music stands in their cases and wondering why their instruments were covered with scratches by the third week of band.

*Trumpet and saxophone students storing their music books and folders in the case. Months later the trumpet players can’t understand why their 2nd valve doesn’t work (bent valve tubing). Same with the saxophonists, they cannot figure out why their keys are bent and the instrument doesn’t work.

Of course, I told them about theses problems from the first week of class. There was always a certain percentage of students who never listened.