Valve Trombone Options

Post Reply
User avatar
Geordie
Posts: 271
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2018 10:45 am
Location: UK

Valve Trombone Options

Post by Geordie »

Have a chance to buy either a mid-1970s Conn Victor or late 1940s King 2B. Both in reasonable condition. I’m doing a range of stuff so looking for a flexible horn. Currently using Olds and Kings.
Any observations or recommendations on these two horns?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is not a rehearsal
User avatar
Neo Bri
Posts: 1313
Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:30 am
Location: Netherwhere
Contact:

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by Neo Bri »

Many 2Bs (the slide version) play pretty tight already. Adding the valve part tends to tighten things up even more. So bear that in mind.

I have no info on the Conn.
User avatar
Geordie
Posts: 271
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2018 10:45 am
Location: UK

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by Geordie »

Thanks. Not sure what you mean by ‘tight’. Is that what might be called ‘stuffy’?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is not a rehearsal
User avatar
Neo Bri
Posts: 1313
Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:30 am
Location: Netherwhere
Contact:

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by Neo Bri »

Geordie wrote: Thu Apr 26, 2018 11:11 am Thanks. Not sure what you mean by ‘tight’. Is that what might be called ‘stuffy’?
Yup.
User avatar
BGuttman
Posts: 5896
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:19 am
Location: Cow Hampshire

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by BGuttman »

If you already have an Olds valve trombone, just use that. They are really great. And less "stuffy" than either the King or the Conn.
Bruce Guttman
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
User avatar
Geordie
Posts: 271
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2018 10:45 am
Location: UK

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by Geordie »

Bruce unfortunately I don’t have and Olds valve trombone. I have two Olds slide ‘bones and love them. Feel like trying a valve ‘bone. Sadly I cannot locate an Olds valve trombone. That’s why I am weighing up the King and Conn options.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is not a rehearsal
jej
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:28 am
Location: Connecticut

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by jej »

There's one on the New Haven, CT, Craigslist: https://newhaven.craigslist.org/msg/d/v ... 28237.html
User avatar
BGuttman
Posts: 5896
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:19 am
Location: Cow Hampshire

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by BGuttman »

Given a choice between a King 2B Valve and a Conn valve, I'll take the Conn.
Bruce Guttman
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
User avatar
Geordie
Posts: 271
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2018 10:45 am
Location: UK

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by Geordie »

Am leaning towards the Conn. will go check it out shortly. Any advice on what to look for in choosing a used valve trombone?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is not a rehearsal
Reedman1
Posts: 241
Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2018 12:18 am

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by Reedman1 »

Geordie wrote: Wed May 02, 2018 12:54 pm Am leaning towards the Conn. will go check it out shortly. Any advice on what to look for in choosing a used valve trombone?
Valves that don't wiggle in their casings. Good neck tenon. Then all the rest of the stuff (dents, dings, scratches, damaged finish, etc.) See if you like - or at least can tolerate - the blow. Can you manage intonation? Things like that.
User avatar
Geordie
Posts: 271
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2018 10:45 am
Location: UK

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by Geordie »

Thanks. - good points.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is not a rehearsal
User avatar
dukesboneman
Posts: 636
Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2018 4:40 pm
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Contact:

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by dukesboneman »

I have a 2B valve trombone and love it.
To really make it "work" for me I had use a deeper mouthpiece
User avatar
greenbean
Posts: 1784
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 6:14 pm
Location: San Francisco

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by greenbean »

I know the Conns are often recommended (on TTF), but the one I owned briefly was quite stuffy. The King 3B's have played much better for me.
Tom in San Francisco
Currently playing...
Bach Corp 16M
Many French horns
User avatar
Geordie
Posts: 271
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2018 10:45 am
Location: UK

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by Geordie »

A 3B was what I wanted, but could not locate one at a sensible price.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is not a rehearsal
Davidus1
Posts: 155
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 8:00 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by Davidus1 »

BGuttman wrote: Thu Apr 26, 2018 11:29 am If you already have an Olds valve trombone, just use that. They are really great. And less "stuffy" than either the King or the Conn.
Definitely agree about Olds being great valve bones. So many of the available options out there are puny bore with a small stuffed sound. Getting an open blow is an advantage offered by the Olds. Best wishes in your search!
Conn Victor 5H
Yamaha YSL-630
Yamaha YSL-354
Miraphone 186 BBb
User avatar
Geordie
Posts: 271
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2018 10:45 am
Location: UK

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by Geordie »

I own two Olds horns and love them - Recording and Super. I think the chances of finding a reasonably priced valve Olds here in England are very slim, sadly. But if anyone out there reads this .....
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is not a rehearsal
Davidus1
Posts: 155
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 8:00 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by Davidus1 »

I have not played on the Yamaha 354 Valve Bone. I own a 354 slide bone and love it. It is a great horn. I can't believe how cheaply these can be found. I would be curious how the valve bone plays. Its a .500 bore as is the slide counterpart.
Conn Victor 5H
Yamaha YSL-630
Yamaha YSL-354
Miraphone 186 BBb
User avatar
Geordie
Posts: 271
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2018 10:45 am
Location: UK

Re: Valve Trombone Options

Post by Geordie »

So, I play tested the King 2B and the Conn. Neither of them would win any beauty contests. However, both were in good playing condition. Beforehand I was leaning to the Conn, partly because of the bore size but also comments here and elsewhere seemed to rate them.
In the end after playing them, and hearing them played, the 2B was what I opted for. Easy blowing with a surprisingly big sound but with good responsiveness and. the sort of cutting crispness I prefer. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions, much appreciated. Might gig it in a couple of weeks on a small stage where slide space is at a premium.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is not a rehearsal
Post Reply

Return to “Instruments”