What's the story with 1950s Conn tuning slides having an extra metal strip?

[ryebrye]

If you don't know what I'm talking about, picture #5 on this one shows an example:

http://brassark.com/museum/conn1947conn88h.html

The lighting on that one makes it hard to tell that there's an extra strip of metal on the tuning slide, but it's there.

Same with this one that's currently listed on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/304338258907?m ... media=COPY

There are other examples I've seen, and could dig up images of - but those should help show what I'm asking about.

The first time I saw it I thought it might just be a patch job, but after seeing more examples it seems it might have been done at the factory for some time period?

anyone know why it was done? And why it's no longer done even on aftermarket tuning slides?

[muschem]

The crook guard? I always assumed that was there to protect against accidental bumps, which might dent the crook.

[ryebrye]

Yeah, that makes sense that it would guard against bumps. Especially since tuning slide dents are so common (maybe even more so these days with some styles of open wraps sticking out so much farther behind the head)

I've seen it on older Conns, did other makers do something similar on their tuning slides?

[Burgerbob]

Traditional German trombones typically have bow guards.

[Doug Elliott]

Multi purpose. Dent protection, solidifies the sound, and counterweight.

[Mamaposaune]

That should be standard issue on student trombones.

[ryebrye]

Student trombones could use a black iron pipe tuning slide and some kids would still find a way to dent them

[elmsandr]

Hard to argue correlation or causation, but my favorite sounding old Conns all have a bow guard. 88H, 14H, 70H, Fuchs, a handful of examples of each that I adore. On all of these, it’s probably more the player than anything, but it always makes me want to grab one when I see them come up, even though I generally do not get along well with Conns.

Cheers,
Andy