TromboneChat

I'm driving a carpool outside my normal area and will have some time to kill tomorrow... So I decided to
check the local facebook marketplace to see if there were any interesting instrument deals.

Someone's selling a Reynolds from 1959 in decent shape (no dents, some lacquer wear... doesn't show the slide-inners at all) it'd kill about an hour vs sitting around doing nothing and be pretty inexpensive.

It seems that it Reynolds literally had a model they called the "professional tenor" model in 1959 when the seller claims it is from.

From what I can gather, it's a 0.500 bore with a 7.5" bell and the comments on the forum seem like people generally think regard them highly - especially for their price.

I was thinking I'd pick it up, and we could decide later if he wanted to keep it (potentially for having as an option for some songs in his high school jazz band) or we could find another home for it rather easily if it plays better than newer student models.

I think the "R" counterweight is pretty cool (it's my son's first initial),
I was thinking worst-case scenario is the slide inners are shot (he doesn't have any pictures of them) - the case itself (assuming it isn't full of mildew stink) has value.

The biggest questions I have - I've found reference that the Reynolds older models had a different sized shank for their mouthpieces. I'm not sure if this applies just to the Contempora line or if it applies to all of their small-bore tromones.

He's already got a King 606 in great shape that's kind of a backup horn and a King 3BF, (and a Yamaha 671 we stumbled across) - if the Reynolds "Professional" is basically at the same level as a 606 it's probably not worth the time it to drive out to get it.

Check out the "Contempora Corner."
https://contemporacorner.com/trombones/ ... trombones/

Reynolds trombones from the 1950s can be quite good (but to me not as good as a King 2B or 3B).

I had a Reynolds Contempora Model 35 (0.520" bore with F-attachment) that was a very nice trombone (I replaced it with a Conn 79H). The slide was excellent. It did have a slightly oversized receiver, so standard small-shank mouthpieces will drop in farther (unless you tape the shank). Reynolds mouthpieces, of course, fit perfectly. But I sold mine.

If this trombone (probably a Reynolds Model 70) has a good slide and is inexpensive (say <$500) it is probably worth trying.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info. I just went and picked it up, it's in good condition (some lacquer wear, a small dent in the tuning slide) but the slide inners were in good shape and the slide felt smooth.

I didn't spend a ton of time looking it over because he was selling it for $125 and after I made sure anything major that would be a show stopper wasn't there, it would be hard to go wrong. (It also came with a straight mute, plunger mute, and a cup mute)

I'll take it to my local trombone tech who can work it over.

The coffin case it came in is a Reynolds original case that I haven't seen many pictures of. I'm not sure if the coffin case would be the upgrade option or the other style I've seen more of. Thankfully it has no mildew smell to it!

Can't wait to hear how it plays once it's been cleaned up a little bit.

Sounds like a great find! If it plays as well as the related Olds pro horns, it should be a winner. (And a steal...)

Seems like you got a great deal. Not much for your tech to do, I'd guess. The Reynolds coffin cases are fine - just heavy for some.
These trombones were made in Cleveland - not really related to Olds, I think.
See if you can find a Reynolds mouthpiece, but not mandatory.
Enjoy!

Came with a Reynolds "8-B C" mouthpiece.

Overall, it has it has a good tone to it.

Later today I'll try some gentle persuasion following previous advice posted here about removing stuck tuning slides (some WD-40 might be the first thing I try. I suspect it's seized up just because it's been sitting for so long.) If it doesn't come out with some basic attempts, I'll let the tech take it on - it's possible that the dent in the slide might be the cause of it being stuck because it got bent out of alignment and he's really good at fixing that kind of thing.