Lawler horns

[salsabone]

Hello chat members! I owna Lawler model 3 purchased in 2019. I LOVE it. I have a chance at an older Lawler "Big boy" model. I do play a bigger setup for some small group work. Is $2000 a decent price if ir is great condition. Thanks in advance for your input.
Salsabone, Kevin McAlley

[RJMason]

I bought a Big Boy for $1300 in 2016. It was in really nice shape. I sold it once I got my new Lawler. The original big boy is a great horn. If you like that size you will enjoy it. My gut tells me $2000 is a little high, but not outlandish. You may not find another…

[JLivi]

I bought a Big Boy for $1300 in 2016. It was in really nice shape. I sold it once I got my new Lawler. The original big boy is a great horn. If you like that size you will enjoy it. My gut tells me $2000 is a little high, but not outlandish. You may not find another…

Ray, if the Big Boy horn that Salsabone is interested in is the one being sold by Chris Shuttleworth on FB Marketplace, that is your old Big Boy horn. I forget how, but he semi-confirmed that back when Chris was living in Chicago and bought the horn.

I don't know how much they go for these days now that Roy isn't making horns, but if it is Chris' Big Boy, I know has taken great care of it.

[pwrjam]

Ray, if the Big Boy horn that Salsabone is interested in is the one being sold by Chris Shuttleworth on FB Marketplace, that is your old Big Boy horn. I forget how, but he semi-confirmed that back when Chris was living in Chicago and bought the horn.

I don't know how much they go for these days now that Roy isn't making horns, but if it is Chris' Big Boy, I know has taken great care of it.

I know Chris and can confirm that horn is well cared for, I played it once and I would consider it as close to a perfect medium bore trombone as I've ever played. Great response, great sound, great projection.

[RJMason]

That horn looks to be different. The handgrip looks pretty worn. My old Big Boy has been all over the world and definitely sold for less than $1500 each time handgrip chrome plating intact. If it says Bernie Griffith on the tuning slide than it was my former horn. I remember writing “Sanders” in marker over it

Anyway, $1500-1800 seems to be like a better price. I think my old horn sold for like $950 at the beginning of the this decade…kind of miss it maybe I’ll buy it back lol

[salsabone]

Hello all! I did put Chris on a sort of time constraint. It does that this particular trombone has some history!!! I should probably reconsider. I do love my Lawler model 3. Funny enough I have a late 40's Martin Committee that Roy based his design on, and i mostly now play on .525 larger bell stuff. Thanks to all of you for you insight.
Salsabone

[salsabone]

To follow up, I ended up purchasing the Lawler Big Boy. It is an amazing horn and it plays wonderfully. Now into the weeds...doing some amateur measurements, it seems that it would be possible to cut the Big Boy bell and make it compatible with my other 3 Lawler bells that I already own. It could be an interesting idea. I ask for the thoughts of the cat forum!! Thanks, Salsabone

[Posaunus]

... it seems that it would be possible to cut the Big Boy bell and make it compatible with my other 3 Lawler bells that I already own. It could be an interesting idea. I ask for the thoughts of the cat forum!!

[DaveAshley]

To follow up, I ended up purchasing the Lawler Big Boy. It is an amazing horn and it plays wonderfully. Now into the weeds...doing some amateur measurements, it seems that it would be possible to cut the Big Boy bell and make it compatible with my other 3 Lawler bells that I already own. It could be an interesting idea. I ask for the thoughts of the cat forum!! Thanks, Salsabone

I would be very interested in getting a ring that fits the Lawler bell flares. I don't know how to go about this. Roy is not an option.

[RJMason]

The original Lawler horns were a collab with Herb Bruce I believe? He may be able to offer advice. I feel like the measurements are different as I don’t think the Big Boy is based off a Martin Committee style horn.

I’m sure if someone were willing to offer their newer Lawler bell section to O’Malley in Chicago and spend the $ they could replicate the ring design and make new flares.

[salsabone]

To RJ Mason. My idea was not to make additional bells for the Big Boy, but to making interchangeable withe 3 bells that I already owm for my more recent Lawler model 3. It is just an idea. I think it would be good to speak with Herb Bruce about this idea! Salsabone

[JerryY]

I would be interested in lawler bell flare rings as well.