Rath at Dillon Music?
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Mikebmiller
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Rath at Dillon Music?
Is Dillon no longer a Rath dealer? They don’t have any new Rath horns on their website. Lots of used stuff, but nothing new. I was thinking of getting an R4 slide.
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SpencerChapman
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
Noticed the same thing, Greg Black & Hornguys seem to be Rath dealers now?
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Spencer Chapman
Houston Area Freelancer
Shires Custom Series .547 Tenor
Shires Custom Series .525 Tenor
Thein W3 NY Alto
Shires MD+ Small Tenor
Shires Custom Series Bass
Spencer Chapman
Houston Area Freelancer
Shires Custom Series .547 Tenor
Shires Custom Series .525 Tenor
Thein W3 NY Alto
Shires MD+ Small Tenor
Shires Custom Series Bass
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WGWTR180
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
Yeh Dillon has moved away from that.
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RJMason
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
J. Landress can order for you in NYC. Bandwagon Repair in Nashville actually has most of the US inventory for Rath, can give them a call and see what they have left, Linden is a great guy. I’m sure they will restock US inventory for NAMM end of January.
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WGWTR180
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
I've noticed that most of what these dealers are offering are the 400 and 900 series. Dillon Music had 2 very nice used R9s some months ago that have sold.
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Fidbone
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
Bear in mind that one of my students waited 10 months for his Rath R3 and he only lives 45 minutes from the workshop 
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mrdeacon
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
Josh Landres Brass has some new and used horns on their website.
I was also able to order a R4 tuning slide à la carte. I’m still waiting for the tuning slide but I can say Josh was very pleasant to purchase with!
I was also able to order a R4 tuning slide à la carte. I’m still waiting for the tuning slide but I can say Josh was very pleasant to purchase with!
Rath R1, Rath R3, Rath R4, Rath R9, Minick Bass Trombone
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blast
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
Now that Rath is owned by John Packer, some of the business structure will change. I think it was always Mick's least favourite part of the business. He liked building trombones.
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WGWTR180
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
Too bad that Bandwagon shows nothing on their website regarding Rath inventory or even instrument sales at all. ??RJMason wrote: Tue Dec 23, 2025 9:21 am J. Landress can order for you in NYC. Bandwagon Repair in Nashville actually has most of the US inventory for Rath, can give them a call and see what they have left, Linden is a great guy. I’m sure they will restock US inventory for NAMM end of January.
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RJMason
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
Yes you have to call and speak to a person, Tennessee vibesWGWTR180 wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 12:55 pmToo bad that Bandwagon shows nothing on their website regarding Rath inventory or even instrument sales at all. ??RJMason wrote: Tue Dec 23, 2025 9:21 am J. Landress can order for you in NYC. Bandwagon Repair in Nashville actually has most of the US inventory for Rath, can give them a call and see what they have left, Linden is a great guy. I’m sure they will restock US inventory for NAMM end of January.
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WGWTR180
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
Ok thanks. As someone who's from TN I'll keep that in mind.
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hornbuilder
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
Making high quality instruments takes time. Just because the client lived 45 minutes away doesn't mean they can make his horn any quicker.Fidbone wrote: Wed Dec 24, 2025 9:28 am Bear in mind that one of my students waited 10 months for his Rath R3 and he only lives 45 minutes from the workshop![]()
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
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Fidbone
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
I know, I worked there for a while.hornbuilder wrote: Wed Jan 14, 2026 6:59 pmMaking high quality instruments takes time. Just because the client lived 45 minutes away doesn't mean they can make his horn any quicker.Fidbone wrote: Wed Dec 24, 2025 9:28 am Bear in mind that one of my students waited 10 months for his Rath R3 and he only lives 45 minutes from the workshop![]()
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Mikebmiller
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
It looks like Greg Black is now a dealer for Rath and his shop is only about an hour from me.
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WGWTR180
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
True but I'm wondering what, if anything, he will have in stock to sell right on the spot or if instruments will need to be ordered. The same with parts.Mikebmiller wrote: Thu Jan 15, 2026 12:36 pm It looks like Greg Black is now a dealer for Rath and his shop is only about an hour from me.
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RJMason
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
Even when Dillion was the only Rath dealer in the US they hardly had “everything”. I had several frustrating trips there in the 2010s in which they never had a nickel silver bell. Most of their stock was dusty…Probably just bad luck and the fact that those bells sell quick.
In fact the only way I, as an American, was able to put a truly bespoke Rath R3F together was by taking a side quest via train to the factory when I was in London for work. This was 11 years ago mind you, but worth the trip (though I ended up just buying an old Bach oops).
Rath will be back at NAMM next week. I will inquire the best way to get a hold of instruments and components in the US this year!
In fact the only way I, as an American, was able to put a truly bespoke Rath R3F together was by taking a side quest via train to the factory when I was in London for work. This was 11 years ago mind you, but worth the trip (though I ended up just buying an old Bach oops).
Rath will be back at NAMM next week. I will inquire the best way to get a hold of instruments and components in the US this year!
- SwissTbone
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
It might seem counterintuitive buying through a European dealer. But I offer a 30 day trial period now. I ship DDP now so no taxes on your side and your return shipping is free.
Mind you... this is a testing period to see if this works out financially for me but you guys could take advantage of it.
A very nice nickel silver R3F will go online soon.
Mind you... this is a testing period to see if this works out financially for me but you guys could take advantage of it.
A very nice nickel silver R3F will go online soon.
ƒƒ---------------------------------------------------ƒƒ
Like trombones? Head over to https://swisstbone.com/ to see some great vintage and custom horns!
Like trombones? Head over to https://swisstbone.com/ to see some great vintage and custom horns!
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WGWTR180
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
It's true that Dillon didn't carry everything as that would be virtually impossible but they had quite a bit there for quite some time. They had drawers full of parts and lead pipes that one could try as well as multiple R9 bells and slides.RJMason wrote: Fri Jan 16, 2026 4:59 pm Even when Dillion was the only Rath dealer in the US they hardly had “everything”. I had several frustrating trips there in the 2010s in which they never had a nickel silver bell. Most of their stock was dusty…Probably just bad luck and the fact that those bells sell quick.
In fact the only way I, as an American, was able to put a truly bespoke Rath R3F together was by taking a side quest via train to the factory when I was in London for work. This was 11 years ago mind you, but worth the trip (though I ended up just buying an old Bach oops).
Rath will be back at NAMM next week. I will inquire the best way to get a hold of instruments and components in the US this year!
I'll be curious to see what you find out from them next week at NAMM.
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mrdeacon
- Posts: 1259
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
I just wanted to confirm that I have received a R4 tuning slide I special ordered through Josh Landres Brass. Took about 6 months to show up. Im very pleased with the purchase and Josh and his team were great to work with.
That said I ordered before tariffs were a thing for the UK. Who knows what it’d be like now. I’m sure it’s going to be near impossible to find or get Rath stuff in the states for the foreseeable future.
That said I ordered before tariffs were a thing for the UK. Who knows what it’d be like now. I’m sure it’s going to be near impossible to find or get Rath stuff in the states for the foreseeable future.
Rath R1, Rath R3, Rath R4, Rath R9, Minick Bass Trombone
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Mikebmiller
- Posts: 927
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
I got mine at the ATW in DC about 9-10 years ago. They had all the options there. What's funny is that Mick was in the booth and I didn't know who he was. I thought he was one of the Dillon guys. I had played another brand of horn at their booth which i really liked and I asked him if he knew the price on that horn. He didn't say anything about his horns being better - he just checked the price for me. Dillon gave me a nice trade in on my Edwards which enabled me to get the Rath for a little over 2 grand at the time. A buddy of mine worked as a tech for a nearby music store and he managed to score a great demo price on an R6 with a brushed finish bell recently. That is a beautiful horn.WGWTR180 wrote: Sat Jan 17, 2026 9:26 amIt's true that Dillon didn't carry everything as that would be virtually impossible but they had quite a bit there for quite some time. They had drawers full of parts and lead pipes that one could try as well as multiple R9 bells and slides.RJMason wrote: Fri Jan 16, 2026 4:59 pm Even when Dillion was the only Rath dealer in the US they hardly had “everything”. I had several frustrating trips there in the 2010s in which they never had a nickel silver bell. Most of their stock was dusty…Probably just bad luck and the fact that those bells sell quick.
In fact the only way I, as an American, was able to put a truly bespoke Rath R3F together was by taking a side quest via train to the factory when I was in London for work. This was 11 years ago mind you, but worth the trip (though I ended up just buying an old Bach oops).
Rath will be back at NAMM next week. I will inquire the best way to get a hold of instruments and components in the US this year!
I'll be curious to see what you find out from them next week at NAMM.
- deanmccarty
- Posts: 213
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
Houghton Horns is a dealer.
Dean McCarty
“Have a good time... all the time.” - Viv Savage, Spinal Tap
VoigtBrass/LIB Artist
Voigt 163 FG, LIB 750
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“Have a good time... all the time.” - Viv Savage, Spinal Tap
VoigtBrass/LIB Artist
Voigt 163 FG, LIB 750
Voigt 188-FXG, LIB 525
Voigt 27, LIB custom
Voigt 711, LIB custom
Voigt 173-FGg-K, LIB standard contra
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AndyBaker
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
You should find it much easier to get Rath instruments and parts in the states going forward because of the distribution heft of John Packer. That said, when I last spoke to them, there was still pretty much a six month backorder situation. The instruments are selling as fast as they can build them…
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WGWTR180
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
Who sells Rath mouthpieces??? I doubt Greg Black does. LOL
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bbocaner
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Re: Rath at Dillon Music?
haha... six months! I'm at a year and some change waiting for my R6 order.AndyBaker wrote: Tue Mar 31, 2026 4:46 pm You should find it much easier to get Rath instruments and parts in the states going forward because of the distribution heft of John Packer. That said, when I last spoke to them, there was still pretty much a six month backorder situation. The instruments are selling as fast as they can build them…