Bach 42 Centennial
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2018 4:07 am
Reviews ?
Below, I have provided a partial one.
Why doesn’t it surprise me that you’ve tried one?
I haven’t tried the LT42BOFG. But, I have played enough examples of the LT42BOG to know, new valve aside, that is not the combination of slide and bell for me. For alternative bells, I prefer the Sterling Plus—more about that at a latter date.castrubone wrote: ↑Sat Aug 11, 2018 10:13 am The LT42BOFG in particular is quite nice...Bottom line: if you like Bach then you’ll probably like them!
I bought a Bach 42BOF Centennial Edition about a month ago, but I’ve been on the road. Also, I have an audition later this month. So, I’m not changing equipment until afterwards. All that to say, I haven’t played it much. I am currently playing on a 42AF.
It’s actually the Meinlschmidt Open-Flow valve. Some of you may be familiar with this particular valve and certainly with the maker.
It’s funny you should say this. I also have too many Bach 42s. Please read below about the Sterling Plus.
Thank you for a great post. Did you have the time to do the video or to play the horn a little more?LarryPrestonRoberson wrote: ↑Sat Aug 11, 2018 10:45 pmBelow, I have provided a partial one.Why doesn’t it surprise me that you’ve tried one?
I haven’t tried the LT42BOFG. But, I have played enough examples of the LT42BOG to know, new valve aside, that is not the combination of slide and bell for me. For alternative bells, I prefer the Sterling Plus—more about that at a latter date.castrubone wrote: ↑Sat Aug 11, 2018 10:13 am The LT42BOFG in particular is quite nice...Bottom line: if you like Bach then you’ll probably like them!
But yes, even with my limited play time, I contend that your later assessment is accurate.I bought a Bach 42BOF Centennial Edition about a month ago, but I’ve been on the road. Also, I have an audition later this month. So, I’m not changing equipment until afterwards. All that to say, I haven’t played it much. I am currently playing on a 42AF.
My initial thoughts are these: Visually, it’s a beautiful instrument. The Centennial Edition engraving is very nice. The wrap of the F-attachment has nice lines and is more compact than the 42BO. It plays and sounds as a Bach 42 should. From playing it one time the valve seems to be more open than the standard rotor. The throw is a welcome change from the axial valve of my 42AF. Although the Instrument Innovations (Mike Olsen) sourced Infinity Valve is also a very fine option. If you like the newer French-style cases, the Centennial version is quite lovely with wine interior and commemorative badge.
Speaking of the valve:It’s actually the Meinlschmidt Open-Flow valve. Some of you may be familiar with this particular valve and certainly with the maker.
While the Open-Flow Valve initially seems to be a great improvement, I will likely tweak the horn to suit me. For starters, I will have the lead pipe pulled as to use something besides the stock 42 one. Or, use one of my other slides with the lead pipe already pulled. And the beautifully engraved bell will likely get swapped.It’s funny you should say this. I also have too many Bach 42s. Please read below about the Sterling Plus.
As much as I love my 42AF, after a year of playing it, I was looking for an alternative to the axial valve. Once again, it is a very fine valve by Instrument Innovations—best axial flow valve I’ve ever played. I heard out about the 42BOF and found one through a certified Conn-Selmer dealer; It was a demo sell. Being the way I am, of course I haggled the price a bit lower. It is a beautiful instrument, but cosmetics and commemoration aside, I just bought it for the valve. I will likely scavenge my 42 Sterling Plus Bell from my 42AF, just as I took it from the 42 before it, and have it mated to the 42BOF.
As far as factory options there is obviously the LT42BOG variant. Jay Friedman was involved with the design of this trombone. And a Jay Friedman signature model is available to order as a “42CUSTOM” with the following options:
Lightweight gold brass bell
Lightweight 50 slide, lightweight or standard 42 slide
Also available to order as a "42CUSTOM" with any of the following options:
-Interchangeable leadpipes
-Yellow standard, lightweight or heavyweight bell
-Gold standard or lightweight bell
-Standard hand slide or lightweight nickel hand slide
-Dual bore hand slide (a first for Bach large bores. I assume it's .547"/.562")
-.562" bass bore hand slide or lightweight nickel hand slide
There are pictures/brochures floating around featuring a gold-plated 42BOF. I wonder if this really exits, or is it a computer manipulated image. If a gold-plated version exits, it's likely in the hands of Canadian Brass trombonist Achilles Liarmakopoulos. If I had the dough and wanted a collector's piece, this is what I would buy.
As I’ve already stated, I haven’t played the the 42BOF very much. I recorded an unboxing video and may post it to YouTube—it’ll be my first video. And I’ll likely follow with a formal review and playing demonstration. I will also start a corresponding thread on this forum. Below, I will link some videos and reviews I discovered online while researching the 42BOF.
Here is an article by Jay Friedman discussing his involvement with developing the 42BOF:
https://www.jayfriedman.net/articles/equipment_notes
And here is a video of Filipe Alves previewing and playing the 42BOF: