G/F Bass Trombone Slide Tubes

[Finetales]

Is there a comprehensive list of shops that can draw nickel slide tubes long enough for a G or F bass trombone (or contra)?

I've been told MK Drawing can do it, but I E-mailed them to ask and they said they cannot. I also E-mailed O'Malley, who also said they couldn't.

I'm sure the small European makers that make F contras with a full-length slide (Haag, Helmut Voigt, etc.) could do it, but I'm sure that would be spectacularly expensive.

Do we know of any other options out there?

[hornbuilder]

Jurgen Voigt would be my suggestion. Depending on the bore size needed.The issue with contra tubes is having a mandrel long enough, obviously. Long mandrels are expensive.

[octavposaune]

I already quiered a lot of makers at ITFs in the teens. There is one guy who can legit build a slide with seven positions in F. Mick Rath. His Contra has nearly or actually 7 positions and I confirmed with him measurements off of my Imperial Boosey G bass (nearly 8 positions in G) he can make the same length slide. My price quote was fron 2018 so I wont say it on here but wager to say over 2000£ would be likely if he has time to make one.

Benn

[hornbuilder]

Benn
Was that for Rath to build the complete slide? I know we bought a set of tubes from them, to rebuild a slide for Randy Hawes, when I was at Ghoe. The tubes were crazy expensive!! (In the 4 digits, inc shipping, just for the 4 tubes!!) I know Voigt are no where near that price, being quite reasonable.

[brassmedic]

Juergen Voigt made F sackbut tubes for me, exactly to my specifications. They were expensive, but not extremely so. I thought it was quite reasonable considering what they were doing, and the quality is excellent. That was quite some time ago, though.

[MStarke]

Jürgen Voigt is potentially the best place to start.
A) They build a relevant number of contras every year
B) They seem to supply many instrument builders with parts (I had multiple builders here in Germany order parts with them)
C) They seem to have generally reasonable prices

[hornbuilder]

What bore were the tubes you had made, Brad?

[tbonesullivan]

This reminds me of reading about the custom F Bass that Yamaha made for Doug Yeo as a token of appreciation. They had to keep the door open at the drawing room or something like that to be able to draw the tubes long enough. Definitely sounds like Voigt would be the best option for contrabass tubes. I can say that If I ever get rich and decide to get a contra, I would probably get a Voigt.

[brassmedic]

What bore were the tubes you had made, Brad?

Don't remember off hand. For the Hainlein model bass, 12.? mm. I believe they charged me a fee for custom bore size.

[LeTromboniste]

Everyone I talk to in Europe systematically recommends Jurgen Voigt for ordering slide tubes. They seem to be the go-to of every repair shop in German for replacement tubes and will make tubes to your specifications in any bore size. Also seamed tubes.