Bass Trombone additional valve

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Confuz
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Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2023 8:43 pm

Bass Trombone additional valve

Post by Confuz »

Can you modify a single valve bass trombone into a double valve bass trombone?
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BGuttman
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Location: Cow Hampshire

Re: Bass Trombone additional valve

Post by BGuttman »

The answer is "yes, but".

A conventional wrap Bach or Holton can have a valve that plugs into the narrow loop of the F-attachment. These aren't common.

Any other bass (open wrap, or a wrap like a King or Yamaha) will need some serious surgery to add another valve and appropriate tubing. This modification will cost around $2000 (US). Not a casual thing to consider. It may be more cost effective to find a used 2 valve bass.
Bruce Guttman
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
hornbuilder
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Joined: Wed May 02, 2018 9:20 pm

Re: Bass Trombone additional valve

Post by hornbuilder »

Some more information would be helpful.
What horn do you have? Are you wanting a removable second valve? Or are you wanting to convert your single into a permanent double valve setup?
Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
Confuz
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Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2023 8:43 pm

Re: Bass Trombone additional valve

Post by Confuz »

It is a Bach 50BO that I want to convert to a permanent double valve
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spencercarran
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Location: Chicago

Re: Bass Trombone additional valve

Post by spencercarran »

Physically possible, but quite expensive. The most straightforward way is to buy a double valve section (from Shires, M&W, Instrument Innovations, or someone else) and replace your existing single valve section. The parts (if purchased new from manufacturer) could easily run a couple grand, and the skilled labor of a competent tech to install it properly is not cheap either. Buying a trombone that already has two valves is likely the path of less resistance.
hornbuilder
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Joined: Wed May 02, 2018 9:20 pm

Re: Bass Trombone additional valve

Post by hornbuilder »

Okay. The question makes sense now.
What type of valves are you wanting?

As an example, I (M&W Custom Trombones) offer a double valve section, complete, using my own design M&W rotor valve, installed on your bell/tuning slide, for $4,275.00.
Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
hornbuilder
Posts: 866
Joined: Wed May 02, 2018 9:20 pm

Re: Bass Trombone additional valve

Post by hornbuilder »

Here is a picture of one such project....
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Matthew Walker
Owner/Craftsman, M&W Custom Trombones, LLC, Jackson, Wisconsin.
Former Bass Trombonist, Opera Australia, 1991-2006
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