TromboneChat

A customer asked me if I can modify his trombone to have the bell brace down closer to the slide brace so that it's less of a stretch for his hand. I asked him for a photo which I am posting below. I don't see a lot of room to move the brace location because it would then interfere with the lock nut. My thought was to just put an aftermarket brace on. Has anyone here tried an Edwards bullet brace on a Lawler trombone, and would that fit? Thanks.

The bullet braces come in (at least) 2 different sizes to accommodate different thicknesses of the braces on different brands of horns. I think there is some info on the sizes they offer on their site (maybe in the section where they sell accessories?). If not, they are pretty good at answering phone calls/emails about this kind of questions. I'm pretty sure that their bullet braces fit - 1. Conn size, 2. Bach size braces - one of which corresponds to Edwards and the other to Shires - I forget which braces are the same.

The Shires part that solders on the brace on their straight neckpipes might also work.

Jim Scott

I have one of the Neotech braces on my Lawler. Has a curved bushing that works for it.

https://neotechstraps.com/products/trombone-ultra-grip

dwn8ve wrote: ↑Tue Jul 09, 2024 5:37 pm I have one of the Neotech braces on my Lawler. Has a curved bushing that works for it.

https://neotechstraps.com/products/trombone-ultra-grip

I'm confused by that. Is this how you grip the trombone when using that brace? The pinky is resting on the slide. What happens to your pinky when you move the slide?

brassmedic wrote: ↑Tue Jul 09, 2024 10:13 pm

dwn8ve wrote: ↑Tue Jul 09, 2024 5:37 pm I have one of the Neotech braces on my Lawler. Has a curved bushing that works for it.

https://neotechstraps.com/products/trombone-ultra-grip

I'm confused by that. Is this how you grip the trombone when using that brace? The pinky is resting on the slide. What happens to your pinky when you move the slide?

I just hold it as normal. The strap goes around the back of the hand and helps take some of the weight. I think the photo is just trying to show the hand through the strap in that photo.

https://ibb.co/TkbQgr7
https://ibb.co/bBbZZGv

Contact Calder Pips grips. They make grips for small bore straight trombones. I got one for my Rath R1 and R3 and it fits my horns great! They have a slightly different design for the small bore grips vs the grips for F attachments.

I'm not sure a Calders is going to fit or work on this horn.

Do NOT mess up a Lawler trombone with a modified bell brace. Please. For a light horn like the Lawler the Neogrip would be great. you would not even notice the horn was in your hand.

Burgerbob wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2024 5:10 pm I'm not sure a Calders is going to fit or work on this horn.

Sure fits great on my R1!

There's photos in the Calder Pips thread where they made one for a King 2B or 3B and you can see it in action. The small tenor grip is a slightly different shape than the standard grip.

I have used the Neotech and Calder grips, as well as the Leather Specialties strap on my Lawler Model 1. I got both the Neotech and Calder grips to fit and used them each for 6 months - 1 year. The particular Leather Specialties strap size I have did not work/ help at all with this horn.

However -

I eventually stopped using them on all my horns. I discovered that my particular shoulder pain could be managed by exercise once a long rehab had been completed. I still have hand pain, but in my case a hand brace on my hand is the best help.

I would definitely consider using them again if I had acute pain and needed to make it through gigs, but I found that their subtle effects on horn angle were detrimental to my playing. The Neotech is very comfortable, but I need my hands controlling the angle and pressure at all times even with the grip attached.

In the end, I think the player will have to try different aids to see which one, if any, work the best. Both of these options can be tested and removed without altering the horn.

mrdeacon wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2024 6:33 pm
There's photos in the Calder Pips thread where they made one for a King 2B or 3B and you can see it in action. The small tenor grip is a slightly different shape than the standard grip.

Link, please.