TromboneChat

Hi All,

[Asking for a friend!] Are the Rath custom bass trombone slides compatible with the "off-the-peg" R900 bass trombone? I'm talking about physical connection, and playability/intonation.

Many thanks.

Just to close this one out - they are not physically compatible.

Out of curiosity - why not? R900 bigger tenon or such like?

The official (albeit from a distributor, not they guys themselves) answer I got was - they are slightly different construction and don't fit.

MrBadger wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 5:38 am The official (albeit from a distributor, not they guys themselves) answer I got was - they are slightly different construction and don't fit.

Curious. IS this from a US distributor and, if so , which one?

John Packer, UK - who should know.

Indeed, since John now owns Rath Trombones. Still doesent actually indicate what differences do actually make them incompatible however.

MrBadger wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 6:54 am John Packer, UK - who should know.

Yeh wasn't questioning the information. I'm just trying to actually find a US distributor that carries something besides the 900 series.

I've seen J Landress and Austin custom brass carry the custom series

bassbone1993 wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 7:58 am I've seen J Landress and Austin custom brass carry the custom series

I've checked. Yes they get in an instrument from time to time but it's not the same as going somewhere and trying options. Dillon Music used to be the place on the East Coast. Now they have little to zero instruments or parts. They're also not listed on Rath's page anymore as a distributor. Many of the places that are listed only carry the cheaper model instruments. Times have changed.

Its all to do with John Packer, he's obviously got different plans for marketing. They were at NAMM so he must have plans - email Packers and ask them who the agent is now?

MrBadger wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 5:38 am The official (albeit from a distributor, not they guys themselves) answer I got was - they are slightly different construction and don't fit.

Good to know, I was curious about this as well.

WGWTR180 wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 9:32 am

bassbone1993 wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 7:58 am I've seen J Landress and Austin custom brass carry the custom series

I've checked. Yes they get in an instrument from time to time but it's not the same as going somewhere and trying options. Dillon Music used to be the place on the East Coast. Now they have little to zero instruments or parts. They're also not listed on Rath's page anymore as a distributor. Many of the places that are listed only carry the cheaper model instruments. Times have changed.

The Baltimore Brass web site indicates they have currently have an R9 in stock. I visited them last year during ATW and they had 2 R9 and one R900 in stock at the time.

dbwhitaker wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 11:18 am

WGWTR180 wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 9:32 am

I've checked. Yes they get in an instrument from time to time but it's not the same as going somewhere and trying options. Dillon Music used to be the place on the East Coast. Now they have little to zero instruments or parts. They're also not listed on Rath's page anymore as a distributor. Many of the places that are listed only carry the cheaper model instruments. Times have changed.

The Baltimore Brass web site indicates they have currently have an R9 in stock. I visited them last year during ATW and they had 2 R9 and one R900 in stock at the time.

Yes they do. Let me explain further as I think people aren't understanding the difference between having 1 instrument to sell and having multiple bells/slides/valve sets/ lead pipes to try. THAT is what Dillon Music was. They used to have drawers full of pipes in addition to multiple instruments and parts to try. No one seems to offer that at the moment. I'm guessing some of it is pandemic related and their possible market shift here in the US. #Iplayshires has taken over big time here so I'm guessing it's not worth it to anyone to keep all of that stock.

Fair. I was thinking about making a trip to Dillons to try out their Rath stuff since it looked like they had a lot in stock at the time. Now they only have some bells and slides.