New dependent basses?
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bigbandbone
- Posts: 590
- Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2019 7:45 am
New dependent basses?
My trusty TR180 is starting to wear out
Is any maker or manufacturer making a double valve dependent set up in Bb/F/flat E tuning?
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hornbuilder
- Posts: 1331
- Joined: Wed May 02, 2018 9:20 pm
Re: New dependent basses?
I (M&W Custom Trombones) can certainly do that.
Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
- MahlerMusic
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Tue May 07, 2019 10:18 am
Re: New dependent basses?
I think I speak for everyone!!!bigbandbone wrote: Sun Aug 24, 2025 1:10 pm Is any maker or manufacturer making a double valve dependent set up in Bb/F/flat E tuning?

J/K but Why??? I think the cons of Independent setups are a mute point now a days.
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bassbone1993
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2023 12:01 am
Re: New dependent basses?
As far as I know, Shires and Greenhoe also do dependent sections as well.
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6219
- Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2018 8:10 pm
Re: New dependent basses?
I'm not sure Shires still does. I haven't seen one since the 2000s.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
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MStarke
- Posts: 1024
- Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2019 4:33 pm
Re: New dependent basses?
You will get dependent sections from many different makers still today, including the big companies like Conn, Bach (not totally sure?) and Yamaha. But especially the smaller workshops can offer this.
But if you REALLY want it in that tuning, you will probably have to go to someone like Matt/M&W. Some of the small/medium companies like Greenhoe, Kühnl & Hoyer etc. might perhaps also offer it, but it will certainly be custom and take time. Or buy another Holton. Or buy some other dependent horn and have it customized.
But if you REALLY want it in that tuning, you will probably have to go to someone like Matt/M&W. Some of the small/medium companies like Greenhoe, Kühnl & Hoyer etc. might perhaps also offer it, but it will certainly be custom and take time. Or buy another Holton. Or buy some other dependent horn and have it customized.
Markus Starke
Alto, tenor, bass and contra (plus euphonium and bass trumpet)
Occasional freelance trombonist
Former Founder/Owner MST STUDIO Mouthpieces
Alto, tenor, bass and contra (plus euphonium and bass trumpet)
Occasional freelance trombonist
Former Founder/Owner MST STUDIO Mouthpieces
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tbonesullivan
- Posts: 1935
- Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2019 9:06 am
Re: New dependent basses?
Flat E tuning for the second valve is definitely something you'll only find on used horns, or a full custom one. Plenty of makers still make Bb/F/Eb tuned dependent horns, but E or flat E was abandoned long ago.bigbandbone wrote: Sun Aug 24, 2025 1:10 pm My trusty TR180 is starting to wear outIs any maker or manufacturer making a double valve dependent set up in Bb/F/flat E tuning?
What exactly is wearing out on your Holton?
David S. - daveyboy37 from TTF
Bach 39, LT36B, 42BOF & 42T, King 2103 / 3b, Kanstul 1570CR & 1588CR, Yamaha YBL-612 RII, YBL-822G & YBL-830, Sterling 1056GHS Euphonium,
Livingston Symphony Orchestra NJ - Trombone
Bach 39, LT36B, 42BOF & 42T, King 2103 / 3b, Kanstul 1570CR & 1588CR, Yamaha YBL-612 RII, YBL-822G & YBL-830, Sterling 1056GHS Euphonium,
Livingston Symphony Orchestra NJ - Trombone
- JohnL
- Posts: 2464
- Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 9:01 am
Re: New dependent basses?
Just what I was wondering. Pretty everything that would wear out (valves, inner slide tubes, etc.) can be replaced.
Either that or
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bassbone1993
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2023 12:01 am
Re: New dependent basses?
Honestly, if the OP knows what needs to be replaced, I'm sure M&W would be a great fit to replace what's worn out. Assuming that they're not looking for a different another 180.
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WGWTR180
- Posts: 2113
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Re: New dependent basses?
JohnL wrote: Mon Aug 25, 2025 9:54 amJust what I was wondering. Pretty everything that would wear out (valves, inner slide tubes, etc.) can be replaced.
Replacing "pretty much everything" on a Holton is not as easy as you might think if you want to keep it sounding like a Holton. I've made the mistake of replacing slide tubes with other makers and it completely changes the way the instrument sounds and responds. One needs to choose wisely when changing parts out.
Either that or
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AtomicClock
- Posts: 900
- Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2023 8:01 pm
Re: New dependent basses?
For the same reason I don't use a Bb/G tenor. Or Celsius.
- MahlerMusic
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Tue May 07, 2019 10:18 am
Re: New dependent basses?
lol, you got me.
- harrisonreed
- Posts: 6330
- Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2018 12:18 pm
Re: New dependent basses?
Aren't we still in the 2000's? The 1900's were the entire last century. 1800's the century before that. Shouldn't we call that decade the aughts? The 00's?Burgerbob wrote: Mon Aug 25, 2025 9:24 am I'm not sure Shires still does. I haven't seen one since the 2000s.
Also, to everyone. I want a dependent bass too. I am with the OP.
- Harrison Reed
Harry's Custom Mouthpieces
Harry's Custom Mouthpieces
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GabrielRice
- Posts: 1575
- Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:20 am
Re: New dependent basses?
They certainly can. The new Vintage Elkhart bass model was initially made as a dependent for Josh Cirtina.Burgerbob wrote: Mon Aug 25, 2025 9:24 am I'm not sure Shires still does. I haven't seen one since the 2000s.
You can still buy a Bach 50B2 in that tuning. The Yamaha 620G has that tuning as an option.
And there are a lot of used Holton 180s out in the world.
Gabe Rice
Stephens Brass Instruments Artist
Faculty
Boston University School of Music
Kinhaven Music School Senior Session
Bass Trombonist
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
Vermont Symphony Orchestra
Stephens Brass Instruments Artist
Faculty
Boston University School of Music
Kinhaven Music School Senior Session
Bass Trombonist
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
Vermont Symphony Orchestra
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AtomicClock
- Posts: 900
- Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2023 8:01 pm
Re: New dependent basses?
Really? 50B2 is not on the bachbrass website.
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Kdanielsen
- Posts: 601
- Joined: Sun Jul 28, 2019 9:35 pm
Re: New dependent basses?
Just saw a very pretty new Stephen’s dependent bass on Facebook.
Kris Danielsen D.M.A.
Faculty:
Dartmouth College
Westfield State University
Keene State College
2nd Trombone, Glens Falls Symphony
Principal Trombone, The Valley Winds
Faculty:
Dartmouth College
Westfield State University
Keene State College
2nd Trombone, Glens Falls Symphony
Principal Trombone, The Valley Winds
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GabrielRice
- Posts: 1575
- Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:20 am
Re: New dependent basses?
Huh...you're right. It was the last time I looked. But there are definitely retailers who have them - or at least say they have them.
Last edited by GabrielRice on Tue Aug 26, 2025 6:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Gabe Rice
Stephens Brass Instruments Artist
Faculty
Boston University School of Music
Kinhaven Music School Senior Session
Bass Trombonist
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
Vermont Symphony Orchestra
Stephens Brass Instruments Artist
Faculty
Boston University School of Music
Kinhaven Music School Senior Session
Bass Trombonist
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
Vermont Symphony Orchestra
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GabrielRice
- Posts: 1575
- Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:20 am
Re: New dependent basses?
Yes, Steve recently made two of them to order for Boston-based bass trombonists.Kdanielsen wrote: Tue Aug 26, 2025 6:39 pm Just saw a very pretty new Stephen’s dependent bass on Facebook.
Gabe Rice
Stephens Brass Instruments Artist
Faculty
Boston University School of Music
Kinhaven Music School Senior Session
Bass Trombonist
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
Vermont Symphony Orchestra
Stephens Brass Instruments Artist
Faculty
Boston University School of Music
Kinhaven Music School Senior Session
Bass Trombonist
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
Vermont Symphony Orchestra
- although
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2019 4:02 am
Re: New dependent basses?
I kind of like "the naughties"harrisonreed wrote: Mon Aug 25, 2025 6:10 pmAren't we still in the 2000's? The 1900's were the entire last century. 1800's the century before that. Shouldn't we call that decade the aughts? The 00's?Burgerbob wrote: Mon Aug 25, 2025 9:24 am I'm not sure Shires still does. I haven't seen one since the 2000s.
- harrisonreed
- Posts: 6330
- Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2018 12:18 pm
Re: New dependent basses?
That's the UK term, I believe. Noughtiesalthough wrote: Wed Aug 27, 2025 1:53 pmI kind of like "the naughties"harrisonreed wrote: Mon Aug 25, 2025 6:10 pm
Aren't we still in the 2000's? The 1900's were the entire last century. 1800's the century before that. Shouldn't we call that decade the aughts? The 00's?
- Harrison Reed
Harry's Custom Mouthpieces
Harry's Custom Mouthpieces
- jonathanharker
- Posts: 142
- Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2022 11:13 pm
Re: New dependent basses?
I love my B♭/F/D dependent Shires. From my cold dead hands...!
- jonathanharker
- Posts: 142
- Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2022 11:13 pm
Re: New dependent basses?
But also, you could probably get a Rath R9D with Rotax or Voigt valves and flat E tuning if you asked them. Can double-plus recommend in-slide tuning as well.
https://www.rathtrombones.com/pages/r9
https://www.rathtrombones.com/pages/r9
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LIBrassCo
- Posts: 600
- Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2019 5:34 am
Re: New dependent basses?
I do a few a year.
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