How big of a dent will affect the trombone?

[buzzedmouthpiece]

Hello,

I have a dent in the tuning slide of my trombone and was wondering how big of a dent will affect the trombone, like in the sound coming out, or anything else. When I play, sometimes, I can hear a separate noise like a vibration near the tuning slide area of the trombone.

Thanks.

[BGuttman]

A small dent is unsightly but won't make much difference. You can still play on one nearly crushed flat, but I wouldn't recommend it.

My rule of thumb is that anything that reduces the diameter by around 30% should be taken care of.

[harrisonreed]

Screenshot_20241207_085948_Samsung Notes.jpg

Don't worry about it

[afugate]

Hello,

I have a dent in the tuning slide of my trombone and was wondering how big of a dent will affect the trombone, like in the sound coming out, or anything else. When I play, sometimes, I can hear a separate noise like a vibration near the tuning slide area of the trombone.

Thanks.

This sounds more like a loose solder joint.
--Andy in OKC

[imsevimse]

Hi!

I have discovered it matters where the dent is. Most dents do not affect intonation so I can feel or hear a difference. I had a big dent in the bell section just after the receiver that wasn't very deep but it was big enough to destroy my middle F. When I removed that dent the intonation of the F changed. I have some tools so I like to remove all dents.

/Tom