TromboneChat

Hello,

I'm looking for input on a new hand brace/grip. I currently have an axe handle and its just not working very well for me anymore. I've seen things like the rath and hagmann brace but don't know how well they work.

neo tech is awesome.

Ditto on the neotech. Its actually very similar to the ones you mentioned. It just attaches at a different spot. Does the same basic function - removes weight from your fingers to your hand, unlike the bullet brace/ax handle/shires which change there the pivot point (or fulcrum? I'm not sure what it is technically) is for the weight distribution.

For me, the Sheridan Get-a-Grip works better.

Kbiggs wrote: ↑Tue Oct 02, 2018 9:12 pm For me, the Sheridan Get-a-Grip works better.

Count me in twice for this one.

Kbiggs wrote: ↑Tue Oct 02, 2018 9:12 pm For me, the Sheridan Get-a-Grip works better.

Count me three times on this one. I had to bend mine a bit and add a couple of pieces of medical tape, but those were just fine adjustments.

Burgerbob wrote: ↑Tue Oct 02, 2018 9:35 pm

Kbiggs wrote: ↑Tue Oct 02, 2018 9:12 pm For me, the Sheridan Get-a-Grip works better.

Count me in twice for this one.

I would like to try the get-a-grip but don't want to spend $60+ for it to not work for me.

Bassbonechandler wrote: ↑Wed Oct 03, 2018 4:06 am

Burgerbob wrote: ↑Tue Oct 02, 2018 9:35 pm Count me in twice for this one.

I would like to try the get-a-grip but don't want to spend $60+ for it to not work for me.

I bought one used and I didn't like it. I sold it on the old forum a week later. Sometimes you have to take your chances to get what you want.

Does anyone have any experience with the rath hand guard?

Bassbonechandler wrote: ↑Wed Oct 03, 2018 6:51 am Does anyone have any experience with the rath hand guard?

I had one on a horn I bought. It was monstrous, made of steel, and looked like a 19th century torture device. Big and heavy, mounts with screws, unsophisticated. If you over tighten it you can crush a brace. If you undertighten it, it may slip/rotate and dent your horn. Pretty expensive as well. I much prefer the Get-a-grip, far easier to move from horn to horn, and fits in your case nicely.

Burgerbob wrote: ↑Tue Oct 02, 2018 9:35 pm

Kbiggs wrote: ↑Tue Oct 02, 2018 9:12 pm For me, the Sheridan Get-a-Grip works better.

Count me in twice for this one.

If I'm ordering from his website do I email him my shipping address?

How do you hold the trombone? Do you put your index finger on the mouthpiece or wrap it around the brace? I have pretty small hands and have always had issues with the "standard" grip with the index finger on the mouthpiece/shank/leadpipe area and it gave me a lot of forearm tension regardless of what kind of hand grip I tried (I have a bullet brace and Rath handbrace). Changing my grip completely eliminated my problem.

Ndwood wrote: ↑Wed Oct 03, 2018 9:18 am How do you hold the trombone? Do you put your index finger on the mouthpiece or wrap it around the brace? I have pretty small hands and have always had issues with the "standard" grip with the index finger on the mouthpiece/shank/leadpipe area and it gave me a lot of forearm tension regardless of what kind of hand grip I tried (I have a bullet brace and Rath handbrace). Changing my grip completely eliminated my problem.

I wrap my index finger around my mouthpiece. I have big hands so it's not uncomfortable for me. I just notice the axe handle in a semi comfortable position interferes with my f valve on my horn and sometimes it can't travel all the way.

What horn do you have OP?

mrdeacon wrote: ↑Wed Oct 03, 2018 7:01 pm What horn do you have OP?

Getzen 1052fd.

Another vote for the Sheridan Get-a-Grip. It’s such a simple design but works great! I was able to get mine used on the trombone forum so I didn’t have to pay full price for it, but after using it for awhile, I would say it’s definitely worth the price that you would pay for it new

Neo-tech. cheaper to try. Just be sure to take the time to adjust it. That's the same with any of the rests. And it is quickly removable (snaps on/off) so your horn still fits in its case. Some of the others will not.

Bassbonechandler wrote: ↑Wed Oct 03, 2018 10:27 am

Ndwood wrote: ↑Wed Oct 03, 2018 9:18 am How do you hold the trombone? Do you put your index finger on the mouthpiece or wrap it around the brace? I have pretty small hands and have always had issues with the "standard" grip with the index finger on the mouthpiece/shank/leadpipe area and it gave me a lot of forearm tension regardless of what kind of hand grip I tried (I have a bullet brace and Rath handbrace). Changing my grip completely eliminated my problem.

I wrap my index finger around my mouthpiece. I have big hands so it's not uncomfortable for me. I just notice the axe handle in a semi comfortable position interferes with my f valve on my horn and sometimes it can't travel all the way.

Contact Mike. I had a Bach 34B w/ the Mt Vernon style trigger. The regular C clamp was too long, and wouldn't fit on the horn. He made a new, shorter C clamp, (sent me two of different lengths) and a new small clamp that attaches to the bell brace. No charge!

Excellent customer service!

I tried a get-a-grip which was more comfortable but I felt with my front-heavy horns that I tended to end up putting too much weight on the slide.

Would the neotech or get a grip work well on a Conn 88H modified with an O.E. Thayer valve section? I’m feeling some pain and tension in my lower hand wrist, attached to the pinky. Get a grip looks more malleable for me, but wondering if anyone has experience using these with Thayer valve horns. Thank you!

I play in a big band where we do an inordinate amount of mute/plunger changes. I am quite left handed and change mutes with my left hand. I cannot imagine trying to change mutes with my right hand! Will the Neotech allow me to disengage and reconnect quickly?

keybone wrote: ↑Tue Nov 27, 2018 4:21 pm I play in a big band where we do an inordinate amount of mute/plunger changes. I am quite left handed and change mutes with my left hand. I cannot imagine trying to change mutes with my right hand! Will the Neotech allow me to disengage and reconnect quickly?

I doubt it. You will have a strap around your hand and need to disengage.

That’s what I thought. Maybe I could get one for home practice only. Thanks, Bruce.

Don't get me wrong. I think the NeoTech is a great appliance and helps take the strain off some sensitive parts of your left arm. But you can't just slip it off for a mute change.

Yes, you can. You just slip your hand out. Not really any different than using a trombone without one.

BGuttman wrote: ↑Tue Nov 27, 2018 5:01 pm Don't get me wrong. I think the NeoTech is a great appliance and helps take the strain off some sensitive parts of your left arm. But you can't just slip it off for a mute change.

I do it all the time with my Neotech. No big deal.

keybone wrote: ↑Tue Nov 27, 2018 4:21 pm I play in a big band where we do an inordinate amount of mute/plunger changes. I am quite left handed and change mutes with my left hand. I cannot imagine trying to change mutes with my right hand! Will the Neotech allow me to disengage and reconnect quickly?

I used to use the left hand, but this past year a couple of the experienced players here made a case for using the right hand.

They showed me how to flip the trombone horizontal and brace the bell against the inside of the left leg. This holds it securely and you can insert a mute much more firmly without putting stress on the slide connection, especially important with a friction fit slide. Just one more thing all the old timers knew but I had not come across.

Since doing it this way I have not had a mute fall out.

At my advancing age, I find it interesting that I keep finding more things to practice! I have a tremor, especially in the right hand, which is the reason I am thinking about the Neotech. And I generally play a small .500 horn. Most of the players I play with use your method. Off to the practice room...

Thanks, timothy42b!

I use a combination of the Sheridan Get a grip and the Wiseman comfort grip. On my bass I have a bullet brace, but would like to experiment more with Get a grip instead of the bullet brace. My issue with the Get a grip is that it can slide back towards the valve, and then get in the way of the F trigger when engaged. Not sure if that would be an issue with non-Thayer horns or not.

MTbassbone wrote: ↑Tue Dec 04, 2018 7:52 pm I use a combination of the Sheridan Get a grip and the Wiseman comfort grip. On my bass I have a bullet brace, but would like to experiment more with Get a grip instead of the bullet brace. My issue with the Get a grip is that it can slide back towards the valve, and then get in the way of the F trigger when engaged. Not sure if that would be an issue with non-Thayer horns or not.

I’ve used a Sheridan Get-a-Grip for about two years now. I recently bought two Wise Grips and have been using them now for a few days. It’s great on tenor—easier to hold the horn in general, and it’s easier to keep the horn stable and balanced when playing in the outer positions. I haven’t yet played it with my bass much, as I’ve been focusing on tenor the last few weeks. It doesn’t interfere with my Gb lever though, which I was concerned about.

MTbassbone, I put the Get-a-Grip between the lock nut and the inner slide brace so it doesn’t slide up towards the valve. But I don’t have Thayer valves.

I used the get a grip on my 88H for a while and didn't have much sucess. I got a Wise Grip and the issue was solved. I sold the get a grip. On my bass trombone I use the NeoTech hand grip. Easy on, easy off, and does the job! I had carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand a few years ago because I couldn't even feel the horn in my hand any more after a short time. I could feel the rotor paddles just enough to play. I had this issue even with my small bore Jazz tenors. It's all fixed, but my left hand is not as strong as it was in my younger days, so I need the help on heavier horns (not my Jazz tenor) so Wise' Grip on on the orchestral tenor an NeoTech on the bass. These have totally solved my issues! And getting in and out of the NeoTech is no more effort than with nothing at all on the horn.