Bach LT16M- Olds Recording crook

[Burgerbob]

Due to a lot of discussion of the 16M's flaws, I decided to put a different crook on mine. I have a '90s horn that Benn Hansson picked out for me from DJ's a few years ago. It really is a great example, but it always had something just slightly weird about how it played. I couldn't just pick it up and expect the best- which I would like to be able to do, since it rarely gets played!

ithinknot recommended not replacing the leadpipe, but instead replacing the crook with something more properly sized for the .508 bore size. I used the MK Drawing Olds Recording crook in nickel.

There's a nice bonus that the crook is a bit wider than the stock Bach, so the slide is ever-so-slightly wider, not something I would complain about ever.

First impressions are VERY good. It retains the sound and character that I associate with this horn- a really beautiful color and zing, but now partials seem to line up and respond in a way that I expect. Before, I couldn't play the horn with my Doug Elliot D3 shank- it would just go full woof-zone and not center anything. Now it feels like a .508, and I can really pump out some noise on it.

Excited to try it in some real world situations... someday!

[ithinknot]

[Doug Elliott]

Excellent modification. Nice that MK makes such things.

[harrisonreed]

[greenbean]

That's awesome!

[Matt K]

I have that same crook on one of my Kings. It really is excellent. It's also nice that it's readily available in nickel. I'm not as much a fan of yellow crooks typically, but there aren't many nickel options for small bores.

[dukesboneman]

I had a 16M a number of years ago the I put a 3B handslide crook and 3B Tuning slide crook on with a Kanstul H8 Leadpipe. That horn sang and was so easy to play

[Boneaphone]

Interesting, I have a 1983 16M and a 3B slide crook on my shelf waiting for a 32H leadpipe from Brass Ark - ETA April maybe May. I may just have the crook put on and see what happens.

[Kbiggs]

Following this… Hope to get back into small bore horns some day…

[Bleek]

Got these pictures from my tech yesterday. A 70s Bach 12 I’m getting done up as an LA old school studio horn, with the MK Drawing Olds crook and the leadpipe pulled and threaded for Shires leadpipes

[Burgerbob]

Small follow up, really digging how easily it plays. If only it had a valve...