Anyone Tried Reversed Leadpipe Strads?

[rebus9]

Has anyone tried the reversed leadpipe model Bach Strads? I'm looking for opinions, especially from those who've played both the reversed and standard setups.

I'm playing my Xeno exclusively now, but still want to send in my tired but much-beloved Bach 43 for blueprinting and re-silvering. One of the things I love about the Xeno is the smooth blow. Operative word, "smooth". It feels slightly tigher than my Bach even though both are .459. In spite of the tighter feel, air seems to glide through the horn like silk over Teflon.

With 34 years of use on the Bach, I've been told to expect the leadpipe probably needs replaced. If the leadpipe does have to be replaced, I'm toying with the idea of taking the opportunity to convert it to a reversed setup under the bold assumption it might give the Bach a more Xeno-like smoothness.

Opinions?

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[roynj]

I have owned both a standard and reverse leadpipe Bach strad.
Standard leadpipe = compact trumpet core tone, best accuracy
Reverse leadpipe = broader sound, looser slots, almost a too large feel

That has been my experience and your mileage may vary.

[Louise Finch]

Hi rebus9

I'd like to please first refer to a post you made on another thread:

[rebus9]

Hi Lou,

It is a risk, for sure. Before the Xeno, I never would have considered making changes to what I (and everyone else whose played it) deemed a "charmed" horn. Why the change of heart now? I no longer see the Bach as charmed because it plays so poorly compared to the Xeno.

Because the Xeno plays SO much better, there's no reason I would play the Bach again unless my Xeno wasn't available-- stolen, being repaired, etc. I thought about using it for "straight" music given Bach's heritage, but even that wouldn't be a reason anymore. That makes me sad, because my Bach's been with me for every major event in my life for the past 34 years, so its sentimental value is high. If the Bach can be made to play more on par with the Xeno, then I would play it on occasion-- like getting together with an old friend. As it stands now, whenever I take the Bach out to play on it, I immediately want to put it away and reach for the Xeno.

I'm inclined to believe what roynj said about feeling "almost too large". Currently it blows more freely than the Xeno, so perhaps the reversed setup might take away what little resistance it has. (a bad thing for me)

So I suppose I'll start with just the blueprinting and re-plating. With any luck, the blueprinting will improve its playing characteristics enough that I'll want to spend time with my old friend again.

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[Dayton]

A few years ago I compared an early 1980s Bach Strad 25/37 (which I owned) with an early 2000s reverse leadpipe Bach Strad 25/37.

I found the differences to be relatively minor. The reverse leadpipe horn played more freely, the slots were slightly looser, and the sound was (maybe) a tiny bit broader.

You mentioned having your Bach "blueprinted", so presumably that means you are sending it to Osmun Music. I'd suggest sending Jim Becker an e-mail asking about the possibility of reversing the leadpipe. I believe it is a significant, and expensive, alteration. You might be better off selling your Bach and then looking for a used LR Bach or some other horn with a set up that works better for you.

Good luck!

[oliver king]

If its not been replaced, there could be a lot of wear on a 34 year old receiver. Just having it refit or replaced along with all of the pads and corks could make a world of difference. You can probably audition an lr37 through Dillon or Thompson.

[rebus9]

If I did go with a reversed setup, the sentimental value exceeds the cost to retrofit, so I would stick with this horn rather than replace it. The sole motivation for considering the mod was to give me a reason to play my old friend on occasion. I'm not looking for a second axe to play regularly.

As it was told to me, the concern about a 34 year old leadpipe is rot on the inside-- which I can understand because it's had thousands of hours of acidic saliva blown through it. This is the first time I've heard about receiver wear also being a concern.

Nonetheless, it's going to get a pretty good looking-over at the clinic. My only hope is when it comes home, I'll love the way it plays. (but I'm keeping my expectations in check)

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[Louise Finch]

[cheiden]

My first Strad was a reverse 25 leadpipe and 72 bell. For me it played and sounded very flugelhorn-like but with some effort could light up. Loved that horn until it got stolen. For two years I looked for a replacement and couldn't find one I liked, curiously I found that really didn't like any of the LR constructed horns. I eventually wound up with a horn that is the polar opposite, a standard 43 pipe with a lightweight 43 bell. This particular horn just responded for me so much better than most any other.

In my case I had to abandon my initial preference for the reverse pipe setup in order move ahead. Though I'm a bit of a tech nerd, I do think there's value in just closing your eyes and trying stuff.
_________________
"I'm an engineer, which means I think I know a whole bunch of stuff I really don't."
Charles J Heiden/So Cal
Bach Strad 180ML43*/43 Bb/Yamaha 731 Flugel/Benge 1X C/Kanstul 920 Picc/Conn 80A Cornet
Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart

[rebus9]

[Miketpt]

Bach's reverse pipe design requires the front bell brace to be close to the valve casing, resulting in a less focused sound that tends to spread. Malone's design keeps the brace more forward, away from the valve casing.

Mike

[Louise Finch]