Alternative Materials for Valve Tuning Slides?

[JTeagarden]

I was wondering why there do not seem to be any alternative tuning slides for trombone valves as for main tuning slides.

My layman's guess is that there's a lot more "bang for the buck" altering the main tuning slide as the last piece of tubing before the bell section, but I suspect there might be more to this.

[GabrielRice]

Edwards does it.

[Burgerbob]

I think for most horns, a yellow valve section makes sense as a balance between response and sound. Plus that's the easiest to source and assemble.

I have horns with gold brass and nickel valve sections as well- and they match the horns they're on.

[JTeagarden]

Thanks, I should have specified: I meant after-market options!

[elmsandr]

Thanks, I should have specified: I meant after-market options!

Q) what does a ball out tool cost for a crook?

Q) how many different crooks do you need to make to have a reasonable product range?

Q) how much can you sell them for where people will buy them?

Q) how many can be sold reasonably?

Q) will this be profitable aftermarket?

A) not likely.

Instrument innovations has some: https://instrumentinnovations.com/teno ... ide-crook/

Might work with some others, but they aren’t going to be hot swappable.

Cheers,
Andy

[JTeagarden]

Thanks, I should have specified: I meant after-market options!

Q) what does a ball out tool cost for a crook?

Q) how many different crooks do you need to make to have a reasonable product range?

Q) how much can you sell them for where people will buy them?

Q) how many can be sold reasonably?

Q) will this be profitable aftermarket?

A) not likely.

Instrument innovations has some: https://instrumentinnovations.com/teno ... ide-crook/

Might work with some others, but they aren’t going to be hot swappable.

Cheers,
Andy

This calculus would seem to hold true for after-market main tuning slides as well.

Given the large array of after-market doodads for trombone that are available and compatible with Shires, Bach, and Conn at the least, it seems like these OEMs are either 1) all over the board in terms of the spacing of their valve tuning slides compared to their main tuning slides (such that it's a crapshoot if an after-market valve tuning slide will fit or not), or 2) there's not enough change in the sound or playing characteristics from in "afyter-market" valve tuning slides.

[trombonedemon]

I think for most horns, a yellow valve section makes sense as a balance between response and sound. Plus that's the easiest to source and assemble.

I have horns with gold brass and nickel valve sections as well- and they match the horns they're on.

You have copper tuning slide on one of your horns, correct?

[Burgerbob]

I used to have one, yes. I eventually gave up on it as it made the horn a bit too zippy for my uses.

[trombonedemon]

I used to have one, yes. I eventually gave up on it as it made the horn a bit too zippy for my uses.

Custom made?

[brassmedic]

I'm working on a 42B sterling bell project and made a seamed gold brass valve slide crook. I'll let you know how it comes out, but probably will be awhile.

20260110_215531.jpg

[Burgerbob]

I used to have one, yes. I eventually gave up on it as it made the horn a bit too zippy for my uses.

Custom made?

Hoelle

[AtomicClock]

I used to have one, yes. I eventually gave up on it as it made the horn a bit too zippy for my uses.

Didn't you say you'd prefer to use Pawel Wilk's support on everything, but it deadens the sound too much? Could this be a solution?

[Burgerbob]

I used to have one, yes. I eventually gave up on it as it made the horn a bit too zippy for my uses.

Didn't you say you'd prefer to use Pawel Wilk's support on everything, but it deadens the sound too much? Could this be a solution?

There are other reasons to not use that kind of grip- for one, the horn won't fit in most cases with it on.

I'd also rather not add weight if I don't have to.

[BrianJohnston]

Matthias Holle made me a nickel silver tuning slide for my f-attachment (thayer valve wrap). It's very high quality. I believe he can make just about any sort of brass tube you ask him for in NS, YB, GB, or pure copper.