TromboneChat

I was browsing Reverb and saw this trombone: Here's a link to the listing:
https://reverb.com/item/64042859-benge-165-conversion

I figured someone else would get a kick out of it too...

I mean.. if the bell, tuning slide, and slide are in good shape, could be worth it? But that the heck. They are in Barnegat, NJ, only about an hour from Dillon Music. I'd also probably bet that the horn was "stuffy" from a misaligned valve. These were made using the same valve as the Gen II Conns, which is still the valve they use.

Ugh. Thankfully I haven't owned any 165s, so there is no possible that it is mine.

At that point just knock out the last couple solder joints and remove the vestigial valve tubing? Weird and off-putting to have it floating there uselessly.

spencercarran wrote: ↑Mon Dec 12, 2022 1:37 pm At that point just knock out the last couple solder joints and remove the vestigial valve tubing? Weird and off-putting to have it floating there uselessly.

It’s not useless, it’s a counterweight!

spencercarran wrote: ↑Mon Dec 12, 2022 1:37 pm At that point just knock out the last couple solder joints and remove the vestigial valve tubing? Weird and off-putting to have it floating there uselessly.

Looking at it, I would wager they used a hack saw to cut off the valve and part of the tubing. If they could solder there would have been much better options. Poor Horn.

That’s criminal.

A 4B is a great horn. I had one for years and I never thought the valve was stuffy. Perhaps, instead of major meatball surgery that ended with a botched amputation, the seller could have taken it to a tech. A simple valve re-alignment might have been all that was needed.

Kbiggs wrote: ↑Mon Dec 12, 2022 9:11 pm That’s criminal.

A 4B is a great horn. I had one for years and I never thought the valve was stuffy. Perhaps, instead of major meatball surgery that ended with a botched amputation, the seller could have taken it to a tech. A simple valve re-alignment might have been all that was needed.

That valve is not stuffy! (But the F-attachment tubing is only 0.547" I.D.)

Posaunus wrote: ↑Mon Dec 12, 2022 11:44 pm

That valve is not stuffy! (But the F-attachment tubing is only 0.547" I.D.)

This is quite a tangent, so bear with me…

Yes, the F-attachment tubing is smaller than that found on Bach, Conn, Edwards, Shires, etc. horns. Remember, though, that King basses (the 6B, 7B, and even the 8B) have 0.562” tubing for their valve sections. It’s a different design than most of us know and are used to hearing. When combined with a section of other Kings (4B’s and 3B’s), it’s a beautiful sound. Very rich and clear, and it projects very well.

Which brings up another tangent: Lately, I’ve come across several posts here on TC and elsewhere that imply “smaller is larger.” That is, there are trombonists who say they want a horn that is free-blowing and request (demand?) larger and larger equipment. The equipment tech or knowledgeable sales person then slips them a mouthpiece with a smaller throat or a leadpipe with a smaller I.D., and voila! The horn “feels” more open and free blowing.

The relationships between the mind, the senses, feedback and the outside world are endlessly fascinating.

spencercarran wrote: ↑Mon Dec 12, 2022 1:37 pm At that point just knock out the last couple solder joints and remove the vestigial valve tubing? Weird and off-putting to have it floating there uselessly.

That's where you hide your weed.

Sadly, this person seems to be genuinely proud of their butchery...

--Andy in OKC