TromboneChat

For those of you interested in seeing Steve‘s new instruments, here’s the Stephens horn I took possession of in December up against my Shires custom.

Any difference in feel through the valve? Thx

The Stephens horn is a little more open through the F side, I have the dual bore on my Shires. Both valves are great and I could be happy for the rest of my life with either one of them.

What valves are there on the respective horn?

Looks like Caidex (not sure on the spelling) for Stephen's and one of the rotors for Shires

That's not a Caidex. Bosc maybe

This is a rotor Steve is having made specifically for him.

Thanks Gabe, you can see the full explanation of the valve that Steve is using in the Stephens trombone thread that is also in the instruments forum. What I can tell you is that it plays great, my Shires horn has a dual bore.

Is it just my aging eyes or is there a difference in bell shape /flare throat size? Conn and Bach shaped maybe ?

Trond

GabrielRice wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2024 4:25 pm This is a rotor Steve is having made specifically for him.

The Stephens Brass Instruments trombone rotor has been discussed in (agonizing) detail in a previous thread:
viewtopic.php?p=193293#p193293

I would guess that this rotary valve - which uses some of the ideas proposed (and patented) by Benny Leonard (Patent now expired), as well as some additional improvements / advances - is pretty special, and probably plays like a charm.

Is it just me, or does that one branch on the Stephens f-attachment look kinda like something George McCracken might have done?