Getzen - "The Dude"

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dukesboneman
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Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by dukesboneman »

I was given a Getzen "THe Dude" model trombone.
Does anyone know the specs on this horn . Bore size, etc....
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Doug Elliott
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by Doug Elliott »

The only thing I remember hearing about "The Dude" is that's the worst trombone ever. I'm not so sure... I think I may have one that's worse.
"I know a thing or two because I've seen a thing or two."
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BGuttman
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by BGuttman »

I had one that was worse.

The Dude actually has a decent slide. I think its 0.485". Round braces. The bell section has those bent hex braces, which can't easily be adjusted and the little thumb hole for your thumb makes it hard to hold. There was a model that was worse, which is what I had. It had bent hex slide braces, a raw metal end to the outer slide tube, no tuning slide -- you adjusted the fit of a thumbscrew joint to tune. Slide bumper was a rubber flat piece on a metal cylinder that faced off against a similar cylinder soldered to the slide. I think they called it "Deluxe", but it sure wasn't.
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daveinem
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by daveinem »

I think it's one of the all-time coolest trombones, but not sure I would enjoy playing it.
brassmedic
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by brassmedic »

Makes a great lamp conversion.
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Posaunus
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by Posaunus »

Y'all missed out on this one - already sold:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Getzen-034-T ... 7675.l2557
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rzeilinger
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by rzeilinger »

I just bought one recently, took out dents, repaired the slide.
I played it with a few mouthpieces Shilke 51D, Bach 5G, Bach 7C, Marcinkiewicz 7 and 6, Olds 3, Shilke 47

I get the sound I like dark, but not too bright with the Bach 7 and Marcinkiewicz 7.
It's doesn't suck as all.

I get a really creamy sound in the mid to lower register with my Shilke 51D, great for 3rd part.
Slide is super smooth, not light, but not really heavy either.

Its certainly doesn't feel like a King 2b or Conn 4h or Bach 6. It's a substantial horn and plays like one.
Plays much nicer than my Getzen Super Deluxe.

Just the design alone makes this a vintage classic right up there with the Buescher 400, Conn 44h vocalbell and the Getzen Super Deluxe. Certaily a collectors trombone.
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jonphilpott
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by jonphilpott »

I saw one of these on the brass exchange a while back and was tempted on looks alone, but I had also heard from others (DJ I think…) that it was terrible
TrryReynolds
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by TrryReynolds »

I picked one up about 10 years back out of curiosity, and found mine to be terrible.
Long-time school band director- hoping to get my face back into shape.

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Posaunus
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by Posaunus »

RZeilinger's is the first rave (or at least positive) "Dude" review that I've seen.
But it was never promoted - even by Getzen - as a top-of-the-line trombone.
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BGuttman
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by BGuttman »

The Super Deluxe was the top of the line.

I tried a Dude and found it very uncomfortable to hold with that thumb ring setup.

The slide appears to be the same as the Super Deluxe.
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rzeilinger
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by rzeilinger »

So ....my positve "rave" review of "The Dude" is justified. I do not believe Getzen was making this as a "Pro Horn" or a student horn. I suspect when Getzen first launched as a Brass maker they wanted to get the attention of the market, to get noticed for what was to come down the line. Kinda like the VW "Thing".

Getzen made 4 brass instruments their 1st year. 2 trumpets and 2 trombones.

The 2 first Getzen Trombones are the Getzen model 50 (super deluxe tone balanced) and model 60 "The Dude".

ok...so I get a great mid range sound out of it with the right mouthpiece. I can play 3rd or 2nd bone in a Big Band with it and even get a nice sound on a ballad solo. It's not fast, it's not made for high range work. It's a fun horn to show and play.

If your expectations are for it to compete with a Conn 4H or 6H, Bach 12, King 2B or 3B, it won't compare and you are not seeing this for what it is and what it's capable of (and what it's NOT capable of)

It's a fun & cool horn to play. It sounds great with the right mouthpiece and no air leaks, so check your water key cork.
2bobone
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by 2bobone »

As an innocent young player of the euphonium I too was charmed by the flashiness of their euphonium and thought that I would sound great on one. The combination of brass, silver and copper was off the charts ! :horror: And those bright red felts under the valves would surely make fast passages a breeze ! It should have been called the "Dude-ette" ! Fortunately, I wound up with a Conn 20-I but never did get that Getzen out of my mind ---- obviously !
cb56
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by cb56 »

Doesn't The Dude have those curvy bell braces that look like they came off grandmas porch railing?
That would be the first thing I'd change if I was gifted one.
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rzeilinger
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by rzeilinger »

Yes and why would you change anything? ....just buy a different horn, like the Getzen Super Deluxe. it's the sister to this horn and more conventional looking. Watch the youtube link below.



That's like saying I like the Mercedes, but I want to change the logo and front end so it looks more like a Toyota Camry......just buy a Toyota Camry
Last edited by rzeilinger on Sun Jun 30, 2024 10:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
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rzeilinger
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Re: Getzen - "The Dude"

Post by rzeilinger »

FYI it's a
.498 Bore. Same bore Getzen used for all it's tenor trombones going into the 1970's
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