TromboneChat

Hi there, Community of Noble Trombonists!

Just out of curiosity I've been (go)ogling trombones made of carbon fiber, and especially the Da Carbo horns seem to be very well made and hold a high standards of quality, but I've found little on Butler horns and their reputation.

The question that comes with my search is: Why aren't there any bass trombones made from carbon fiber? Is it because of the material's inherent traits, or difficulties in manufacturing, or are there other reasons - like playability or sound-wise - that I haven't found a carbon fiber bass bone?

.....or is it, horrible thought, that my googling skills are out of touch and need to be honed and whittier?

Another (poosible) food for thought is: Would it be possible to build a functional, decent plastic bass trombone, like the P-bone? I don't care too much for the P-bones I've played, but I'm just speculating here.

Butler trombones. https://butlertrombones.com/specificati ... -trombone/

I have the Cool Wind trombone. Large bore, with F-attachment. Compared to the other plastic trombones this is a bass. Did not stand up to very heavy use (1-1.5 hours per day). It's nice for Christmas (or Carneval) where the garish colors add to the fun but if you need a workhorse instrument that is lightweight, the Butler or DaCarbo are your only choices.

Your googling skills seem to be terrible. Try looking for Doug Yeo’s review of his Butler bass. Frankly, the bass seems to be where the carbon fiber is excelling (also see BurberBob - Aiden’s) review from ITF this year. I agree with almost all of his comments… just draw opposite conclusions mostly.

I have a Butler slide and a Butler flare on a mostly 50B ish chassis. It sounds good. It takes stronger control and timing of air and articulations than brass, but it sounds good and very much ‘replacement level’ trombone sound for the audience. If I get the flare cut, it will have so much utility and convenience that it might be the only horn that ever leaves the house with me. Slide already has that… no worries with a concert in the park of somebody damaging a slide if they can’t damage it.

This all being said, if I’m being paid to perform, I’d probably bring something else. It isn’t my BEST sound. It also doesn’t inspire me to sit and just play to get better. My Bach inspires me to try to improve to get more out of it.. the carbon doesn’t. It just doesn’t have that juice. It’s good. But not great.

Cheers,
Andy

For people who need a lighter instrument to hold I completely get it and I think it's a wonderful option so someone can keep playing. But the sound is no where close to what I need to have coming out of my bell so I wouldn't have one as my daily driver.