Stork on a Martin Bass

[PhilB]

Hi, First time to post . . .

Recently purchased a (the) Martin (Committee) Bass which came with a 6 1/2 AL. I wanted a 1 1/4 and so purchased a Stork BT125-H-ST-1. I cannot get in tune with this mouthpiece, with tuning slides all full in I'm still a bit flat. I am wondering if the Stork was cut wrong on the shank or what?

Phil B

[Posaunus]

6½AL to 1¼-size is a huge jump. (Of course the 6½AL is totally inappropriate for a bass trombone.)
Have you played bass before? Why did you choose to go so big?
I've had pretty good luck with Stork tenor trombone (small and large bore) pieces.

[hyperbolica]

I've seen Martin basses, but never a Martin Committee bass. Is this the single valve bass with the flat wrap like an Olds S-20? Where did you buy it from that gave you a 6 1/2 al? Older basses generally like smaller mouthpieces, but the S-20-like horn should be able to handle a 1 1/4G. Try a 1 1/2 or even a 2G and see if that has the same problems. You might also check the horn for leaks or if the leadpipe is hosed in some way.

[CalgaryTbone]

How old is your Martin? A440 wasn't a universal choice for "low pitch" after manufacturers started to move away from "high pitch". Some older instruments are pitched in the mid to high 430's.

Jim Scott

[trombonedemon]

I went through the same situation when I bought my bass. It was my chops. Some how my chops shifted, many many slurs and long tones later, I still don't need to move my tuning slide, but my B flat is spot on.