My trombone plays really flat.

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Shumanbean
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My trombone plays really flat.

Post by Shumanbean »

On a lark, I attached my Bach 16 .508 slide to my 12 bell and found I prefer it. It's a nice open sound, but the horn plays flat, such that 1st is often questionable. The intonation with the 12 slide is fine. The .508 16 lt slide has been modified with a round (yamaha I think) slide crook, and a press-in Kanstul H8 lead pipe. Is the slide the problem?

Is there a way to bring the pitch up a hair?

Thanks.
D Crockett
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Burgerbob
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Re: My trombone plays really flat.

Post by Burgerbob »

The crook could add a bit of length.

What mouthpiece are you using? My 16Ms have always been fine to play to pitch, even with some wiggle room. A 12 bell section is exactly the same as a normal 16 bell section after all.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
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ithinknot
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Re: My trombone plays really flat.

Post by ithinknot »

If there's a significant length change from the mods, the tape measure will tell you.

I'm not saying it's you... but from experience the H8 considerably widens the slots (as might the round crook), so if one wanted to play low on the pitch, it would definitely be easier on that setup (especially if the point of comparison is a 12)...
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Doug Elliott
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Re: My trombone plays really flat.

Post by Doug Elliott »

You don't really even need to measure since you have both slides. Put them next to each other and compare. inner and outer separately, and assembled. I bet there's a significant difference in length somewhere. The crook is part of it but maybe not all.
"I know a thing or two because I've seen a thing or two."
baileyman
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Re: My trombone plays really flat.

Post by baileyman »

Small Bachs seem to be often only just sharp enough for lots of players, part of the motivation to cut down tuning slides.
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Bloo
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Re: My trombone plays really flat.

Post by Bloo »

Shumanbean wrote: Mon May 02, 2022 11:49 pm Is there a way to bring the pitch up a hair?

Thanks.
D Crockett
brass pipe cutter / dremel, blowtorch, and some solder should fix it ;P
I'm partial to vintage Conn horns, and new Getzens.
GabrielRice
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Re: My trombone plays really flat.

Post by GabrielRice »

Shortening the tuning slides of Bachs is pretty simple for a competent tech. I've had it done to every Bach I've owned.
Shumanbean
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Re: My trombone plays really flat.

Post by Shumanbean »

Thanks, y'all.
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