Not a trumpet, but very interesting

nextbrassguy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 1428

Here's something you don't see everyday:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16215&item=3711840089

It took me a minute to figure this one out. It's a double French horn, but instead of a second set of slides for each valve when the horn is in Bb, the "fifth valve" shortens each of the three valves to put the horn in tune for Bb. Sorry to post this on a trumpet site; this is for fans of unusual brass instruments in general.
The seller also has a four rotory valve trombone up for sale. This type of instrument has its own name, but I can't remember what it is. Can anyone help?
Finally, has anyone dealt with this seller, or does anyone know anything about him? He seems to be scouring Europe for rather unusual antique musical instruments, most apparently of dubious playabiliy.

wardsd · Heavyweight Member Joined: 12 Mar 2003 Posts: 504

Yes, I know the seller. I have bought two instruments from him. He is trustworthy, but he packs horribly. The last instrument I got from him he simply put it in a box with a few large pieces of styrofoam. It was damaged by the time it arrived from Germany. if I ever buy from him again, I will clearly spell out how to pack.

Steve

jhaysom · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 12:29 pm Post subject:

nextbrassguy:

I don't know what variation on the trombone you're thinking about but you'll probably find it here:

http://home.att.net/~bobbeecher/trombone/trombone.html
_________________
John Haysom
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
Yamaha 8310ZS trumpet
Yamaha 6310ZS trumpet
Courtois flugel
1941 King Silvertone cornet
1941 King 2B valve trombone
Kanstul 920 piccolo
etc.

nextbrassguy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 1428

Cool site, jhaysom! Thanks for the link. "Cimbasso" is the word I wanted for that variation on the valve trombone.

samlg · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 1:24 pm Post subject:

a cimbasso i a contrabass bone in F, usually with five valves. normal valve bone were meant to improve tuning. why do they not use them today!!!!

sam

nextbrassguy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 1428

Just curious, samlg, but how would going from a slide trombone, where a musician with a decent ear can fine tune any note, to valves help with intonation? Also, going to valves, you lose the glissandos for jazz, big band, etc. Wouldn't this explain why 'bone players prefer to stay with the slide?

MUSICandCHARACTER · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 2:25 pm Post subject:

samlg · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 2:41 pm Post subject:

it was a bit light hearted that bit. you do see alot of vintage valve bones about. the faster passages go the less time to move the slide i suppose, thats why they were put there, though as players improve by generation they learn to accept prolems and ovecome them. you just cant leave out big glisses in peices. the trombone must be one of the least changed instruments about, poeple dont like change!

sam

nextbrassguy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 1428

I guess even Vincent Bach could have one off day!
I must admit that I hadn't thought about the advantage of valves for rapid passages. (Maybe Maynard's "Superbone" gives the best of both worlds!)
You're right about the slow evolution of the 'bone. I imagine that 16th century sackbut players would easily recognize and adapt to the modern trombone! (Maybe a real trombone expert will show me I'm wrong on this one, but I doubt it.)