TromboneChat

Hey, I'm very new to the trombone world after wanting to double from trumpet. My first trombone is a TR-183 and I have fallen in love with trombones. I love the feel of my horn but i have one problem. It only has one valve. I was wondering what would be the cheapest way to upgrade.
1. add a second valve? I'm not super familiar with this so I have no idea if this is even possible.
2. Get a 181 bell. I don't know how much they run but from a little searching I can imagine it will link fine with my slide
3. Get a whole new horn.
Have any other suggestions or comments on which is cheapest/best?

Going from trumpet to bass trombone seems a bit extensive. Still, if that's what floats your boat, great!

Your options won't be cheap.

The least intrusive option is to buy a secondary valve. Holton made one that fits in the F-attachment tuning slide and acts as a dependent valve. Originally in flat E, but I believe you can get a slide to make it in Eb.

A second valve can be installed by a competent tech. Figure close to $1000 for the job.

You can probably find a good double valve bass for about the same money or just a bit more. The Benge 290 often comes at a great price. Also look for the Yamaha 612 (dependent) or 613 (independent).

There are a few things you will need to sort out for a double valve trombone:

- Do you want a dependent setup (2nd valve only works when 1st valve is used) or independent (either valve can be used by itself)?

- Do you need the second valve in flat E, Eb, or D? (Or even in some other pitch). Generally independent bass trombones will be in Eb or D with both valves pressed (some come with a set of tuning slides for each).

- Do you really need a second valve? The one note that is unavailable on a single valve bass trombone is low B natural (below the staff). In the bad old days you could pull the F-attachment tuning slide out to make the attachment in E (this option is not often available in open wrap instruments).

Good luck and feel free to ask more questions.

Hey, Thanks for taking the time to respond. Im new to forums in General so i hope this is how i do this. I havent been able to find anything on the conversion slide from holton. I can pull my slide to E, and would you recommend just buying a tr-181 bell section? thanks.

Holton was absorbed by another manufacturer long ago and they don't make the conversion valve any more. You'd have to find one used.

A TR-181 (independent) bell section might cost almost as much as a whole TR-181 (and possibly more than a TR-180 (dependent)). You'd have better luck trying to find a Benge 290 or Yamaha 61x.

Or just sell the horn and buy a 181. Many players would like a 183.