TromboneChat

Hello there. Am a bass trombonist with little to no experience on tenor. Currently playing quite a few big bands and would like to expand my options and do some section tenor work. Any recommendations as to what horns I should be looking at? King 3b, Conn 6H?

3B is a great starting place. Anything you get will take some serious getting used to, of course.

I use a large bore tenor in the one big band where I play 3rd instead of bass. It's the only place I play tenor and even that is a big adjustment for me. I recently bought a used 3B and I can't make any useful sounds with it yet. (Not that I've been able to spend much time trying.)

Whatever works for you.
I used to try and double on large bores, always struggled.
Now my main double is a Bach 12. Not a trom I thought I would like playing!

Getzen 4147IB Has been a good horn for me. Got it for an orchestra gig. But used it in a big band yesterday, and definitely up to the task as far as fitting with the section and standing on it's own. Biggest part of getting used to it was not over-blowing when switching bass to tenor.

Any tenor will likely require regular practice to sound good on. I find a large trombone just as much work to get used to as a smaller one, but a smaller one is just so much easier to blend in the section. So, indeed, 3B, 6H. Or a smaller Bach, Rath, Kühnl... What are the other players playing, and what is available to try locally and in your budget?

From my experience and talking to Bass Trombone players that double on tenor
Look into a Bach 36 or a Conn 78H. Or even a a Conn 8H or King 3B+
Ten to one you're not going to be playing lead, more than likely 3rd
That`s my 2 cents

If you are doing this for a big band, don't play too large a horn. A 3B or a Bach 16 or XO 1634 is as big a bore as you should go (they are all .508). Bigger horns just don't sound right in the big band context for most people, and they push the lead player unnecessarily. This is a case of using the right tool for the job.

ssking2b wrote: ↑Sun Sep 22, 2024 10:26 am If you are doing this for a big band, don't play too large a horn. A 3B or a Bach 16 or XO 1634 is as big a bore as you should go (they are all .508). Bigger horns just don't sound right in the big band context for most people, and they push the lead player unnecessarily. This is a case of using the right tool for the job.

Just because you can (use a medium- or large-bore tenor in a big band trombone section) or because it's easier for you doesn't mean it's a good idea!

Thanks for the input. I’m in the LA area so should have access to some used horns. Right now just wondering where to start equipment wise. The goal is to do section playing, 3rd, in a big band setting should the need arise. From what I’m hearing a .500 bore is the place to start. Will always be a bass tbone player, but it never hurts to have some other arrows in the quiver.

tbone5 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 22, 2024 11:10 am Thanks for the input. I’m in the LA area so should have access to some used horns. Right now just wondering where to start equipment wise. The goal is to do section playing, 3rd, in a big band setting should the need arise. From what I’m hearing a .500 bore is the place to start. Will always be a bass tbone player, but it never hurts to have some other arrows in the quiver.

0.500" or 0.508" bore = "standard equipment" for big band 3rd trombone. Lots of used professional horns available in that category in your area.

Good luck!

A follow up on my search for a doubling section horn. I found a local Conn Constellation, 1963 Elkhart, for $600. Bell in is excellent shape, slide has wear but responded to some cleaning and TLC. May not be the mainstream recommendation but figured if it doesn’t work out I should be able to recover my costs. Played a big band gig last night and was very happy with the sound… certainly a step in the right direction from the 88H I had been using! Thanks again to all those that chimed in.

tbone5 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 20, 2024 11:22 am A follow up on my search for a doubling section horn. I found a local Conn Constellation, 1963 Elkhart, for $600.

Congratulations on your find. The Conn 48H is a fine choice for big band tenor trombone. (I love mine - end of the Elkhart era.) If you can get your hands on a Connstellation mouthpiece, you'll have hit the jackpot. And you got a killer price for this fine instrument.

[You're lucky to live in an area where there are outstanding trombone techs if you want to put the final polish on your slide.]

I can only imagine you started life on a student .500 bore? If you are playing 3rd in a big band, you should look for a straight .547 horn...plenty out there. Maybe a Bach 4 mps, or a 5. But if you can make a .525 or .508 work, great. People forget how great a straight .547 sounds and feels. The elusive Conn 8H comes to mind....