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TromboneDave

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Re: Current status of instrument makers?
01/25/10 at 15:41:58

Evening all,

What with all the problems going on in the stock markets, does anyone know how the instrument builders are faring?
The reason I ask is that I have some students needing to purchase their own instruments, so I want to give informative advice on which instruments to avoid, which are worth a try, and which are excellent.

All comments are welcome,
Thanks.

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TrombieZombie

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Re: Current status of instrument makers?
Reply #1 - 01/27/10 at 16:52:59

The top recommendation for students at the moment would be the new range produced jointly by John Packer and Rath trombones - the first of which is a .525 straight tenor (JP231/Rath) which costs about £350, including case and mouthpiece. They have just produced a .500 straight tenor and are soon to release both .525 and a .547 Bb/F tenor.

They are very highly rated indeed, and worth finding out about Look up either website for further details. To try you would probably need to visit either Huddersfield or Taunton, or possibly arrange some loan or other, which may be possible given your work.. There are several other reputable student trombones out there (Bauhaus-Walstein, John Packer, Phil Parker International and others that produce straight tenors for under £300, before you go up to the Yamaha 354 generally at over £500.

Hope that this helps
TZ Cool

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Rob Hanson

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Re: Current status of instrument makers?
Reply #2 - 01/28/10 at 09:20:50

Many thanks for your kind words on the JP/RATH trombone projects. The JP231RATH has been around for around 6 months and as well as establishing itself as the new benchmark for student trombones has been seen played by Carol Jarvis on the recent Seal European tour.

This is what Nick Hudson thought when he tried it.........

As brass teachers we are well aware that in these days of financial insecurity the cost of purchasing a quality trombone has been a major obstacle in our ‘trombone teaching mission’. Being able to purchase a good quality, free blowing, durable, well made trombone has been easier said than done, to say the least. Up until now……
The release of the JP231 Rath trombone, without being over dramatic, is a godsend. The build quality and craftsmanship, for an instrument aimed at the student market, is exceptional. The Rath 231 has a medium large bore with an 8 inch bell which enables the instrument to be applied in many situations and whilst this instrument is mainly aimed at the student market, I would have no qualms about using it for lighter, chamber or solo performances myself.
John Packers collaboration with Michael Rath has produced an instrument which is resilient, well made for the price, easy blowing and affordable! What more could a trombone student – or teacher - ask for!
Bravo Packers and Rath!
Nick Hudson
The new .500 version (JP230RATH) was launched at the NAMM show last week in Los Angeles. This is a slightly more compact version with 7.5" bell, narrower slide and of course a .500 bore.

Mick Rath is busy working away at the Bb/F Versions and we hope to have some more information soon.

In the meantime the JP231RATH and the JP230RATH are available through either John Packer Ltd in Taunton or Michael Rath Musical Instruments in Huddersfield

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Rob Hanson
Director
John Packer Ltd
www.johnpacker.co.uk
www.jpmusicalinstruments.com

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Mujician

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Re: Current status of instrument makers?
Reply #3 - 01/31/10 at 19:16:10

Well, it depends on what level your students are. If they are just beginners and they might ot particulary want to take playing very far there are always 'ebay specials'! The trombones may not be brilliant but they will do the job. For people who really want to go places with it, but have just started up, MIR have a good selection of good second hand bones, or at least they did. Which will be a cheaper option. Local music shops will often have second hand instruments in which IM sure you could advise on. Then there are more advanced students and the same can be said about selecting instruments for them. Second hand instruments are often betten than new ones as they already have thier sound. In the 'olden days' (LOL) people used to pour milk inside their trombones and leave it there for a few weeks to 'age' the metal a little. LOL

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TromboneDave

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Re: Current status of instrument makers?
Reply #4 - 02/08/10 at 15:35:10

Thanks for the comments,

The main reason I'm looking around is that I have a student ready to Make the Big Step and get their own instrument. I live in South Africa, and new instrument prices are ridiculously expensive. I can get the instrument for half the price (or less) in Europe, which covers even the price of an airfare. As far as I know, there isn't anyone who imports Rath trombones. We do get Vincent-Bachs', Yamaha's, Jupiter's, Century (!), Conn and Weril instruments though. Time for a trip overseas me thinks...
The second reason I'm looking for instruments is that I've picked up a fair number of new students, who don't have access to any instruments. It's not worth splashing out big money for instruments for beginners; I'll most probably end up paying quite a bit for repairs.

(Pouring milk into a brass instrument?? That's a new one! My dad's a dairy farmer, milk's pretty corrosive stuff, never mind the smell)

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iiipopes

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Re: Current status of instrument makers?
Reply #5 - 02/08/10 at 18:21:40

With some of the smaller companies like Rath, if you email them in advance and tell them your situation, they might deal with you directly rather than make you go through a dealer. And if you are going to make the trip, advise them well in advance and ask for a visit to their shop, which they will probably be happy to accommodate you.

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TrombieZombie Rank & File Offline Yes, I'm a brass dude Posts: 49 South Wales Gender:	Re: Current status of instrument makers? Reply #6 - 02/18/10 at 12:11:00 Do Contact Martin at www.woodwindandbrass.co.uk or Steve at www.johnpacker.co.uk to discuss your requests - I'm sure either would be able to help you, and both have good trombones for £200 upwards, including the JP231/Rath trombone that is really excellent. Kind regards TZ
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TromboneDave

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Re: Current status of instrument makers?
Reply #7 - 03/05/10 at 08:40:11

Thanks for the comments,

My problem is still that I'm 5000 miles from civilization.. Unless someone sponsors me a ticket.

In other news, Vincent Bach is selling cheap trombones (<300pounds) under the Prelude name. These are built in China as far as I can tell, and they seem to play well, and they seem to be put together properly. But time will tell. Watch this space.

Have there been any companies going under?

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bones

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Re: Current status of instrument makers?
Reply #8 - 03/05/10 at 14:18:49

I have a JP Rath 231 525 and I struggle to measure it against my pro stuff.

The reason being, it that it is simply so good, I dont feel I am cheating my employers when I take a hooter along to a pro job which cost a few hundred pounds. I do have a Rath R1, and there are a lot of similarities. THis is not a stencil brand, this is a quality horn with the quality control coming from mick himself.

Well worth a look....

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gcbtrom05

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Re: Current status of instrument makers?
Reply #9 - 03/05/10 at 20:05:23

I got one of the new Rath Student Trombones (231) a while ago and after a fair settling in period going from a large bore with ive played for about 8 years now i am settling into it beautfully.

The 12c mouthpiece that comes with it is a little too small in my opinion and have opted for a 6.5AL.

I play 2nd bone in a local jazz orchestra and it is brilliant. I do find the sound can be a little too "tight" at times and could probably do with being freed up but maybe thats just my playing...

It is very well worth the money and I cant wait until their Bb/F versions hit the market because im pretty certain I will be getting one.

Hope this helps. Wink

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TromboneDave

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Re: Current status of instrument makers?
Reply #10 - 03/17/10 at 10:56:39

Thanks for the comments, I will definitely take a look at a Rath when I'm in England again. I knew one who had a bass trombone, it sounded good.
I've found generally that the 12c mouthpiece is really small for most applications. Some of my students have battled to get a good sound on it, after switching to a bigger size the sound improves. Too bad the 12c comes with most beginner model trombones. I prefer the 6.5 for a compromise. The 12 is good for getting an alto sound in Beethoven/Mozart symphonies.

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