TromboneChat

I have 2 42Bs. One bought new in 1977 and one in fair shape from a pawnshop a decade later. I’ve read the topics on 36B as being a less cobbled together instrument, and that the 42B bell section is identical to the 36 except for the receiver, bell diameter, and possibly the gooseneck.

I have a MV straight 36. What would need to be done to adapt the 36 slide to the spare 42B bell section? I would want to keep the 36 slide original to use with the straight 36 bell section. In short, how to best convert a 42B to what is functionally a 36B? Is soldering a new receiver sufficient?

Yeah. The slide receiver on the 42 bell section would need to be swapped out. If you wanted to use the 42 slide on the bell, the tenon would need to be swapped on the slide. I don't know how feasible that is though to be honest.

I just want the capability to use a .525 slide on the 42B extra bell while leaving the .525 slide original. Mostly interested in doing mods and getting it right the first time.

It's a great combo.

Thanks, Matt. The one missing element in my stable is .525/f and the spare 42b is just sitting in the case. Slide is fair at best but the bell section is a mid ‘70s in good shape. Paid $100 for it back when. I’m hoping to get pointers from as many members as possible in hopes of having a good instrument when I’m done.

Hickey’s has a 36 receiver on their website but they caution that older slides may not fit all the way in. I just checked and my slide is actually from the NY 67 era. Is it possible to machine the new receiver out a bit?

Best bet is to take it to the etch who will be doing the work, they'll be able to measure it and know what to do. Some may even have a spare part lying around.

I had a colleague who had a 36 slide and a 42 bell which he fitted with a paper shim. Needed a new shim every time he put the thing together, but it did work. He didn't want to modify the slide since he also used it with his 36 bell.

Great suggestion! Thanks, Bruce. I’ll consider that as well.

If you're only going to use it once in a blue moon the paper shim will work. I put electrical tape around a Yamaha 354 slide to mate with the larger 356R bell section and it worked. But I never meant for it to be used by both the 356R bell and the 354 bell. Your next option is to change the slide tenon and slide receiver on the 36 to that of a 42. But I'm thinking you don't want to do that. Another option is just get another 36 slide and change the tenon. I'm actually casually looking for a 36 slide for my son. I plan on switching out the tenon for a 42 one. But that's permanent.

Lastly, there are a few members here that have a lathe and could possible make some kind of adapter that will fit on the 36 slide that will make it work with a 42 receiver. If that's possible then its very easy to do what you wanted.