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[octavposaune]

hi All,

I am a bass trombonist who is rather unfussy about my equipment.  I have both dual bore .562-.580 TIS Conn slides and Single bore slides.  I am wondering how many of you have to have one or the other or if you are unfussy such as myself.

Feel free to indicate your personal preference and why in a reply.

I mostly play single bores these days, but I do like the way big duallys play.

Benn

[John Beers Jr.]

My horn is a dual-bore Getzen 1062FD that I purchased feel-unplayed from forum administrator RLB.

Since then- I've preferred most single-bore horns that I've tried, finding them to be a bit more natural feeling as a bass/tenor doubler, but the dual-bore DEFINITELY means that I approach the bass as a completely different instrument, so it might be for the best.

Were I to buy a "new" horn today, though? It'd almost certainly be a single-bore (ie. Kanstul 1662d, Yamaha Yeo-model, Conn 62H, or that Minick TR-180 at Dillon).

[Torobone]

I just tried 15 bass bones, including horns from 3 modular makers, and many other popular makes. Usually, I was able to try more than one model from every maker, and on some models I tried more than one horn.

I tried a friend's Edwards B454V with a dual bore slide that was tied as my top favorite. An absolutely beautiful instrument. He had a B454E as well with a single bore slide, and mixing/matching components I gave my thoughts that his first setup was the best for me, and likely for him, although he was still trying things.

That day on the Edwards, dual bore was the way to go. Other days, I tried a Rath R9 with a single bore slide that was also a favorite.

My conclusion is every horn was different, even the makes and models that are known for consistency. I decided to look at the whole package, and move away from single components. I would drive myself nuts trying this or that, and in most cases you would need a wider selection of components than those available here.

[MoominDave]

I usually find that a dual bore design makes the bass too different in tone quality from large-bore tenors for me. Bass is just a big trombone, after all... If an instrument is difficult to make sound like a tenor in the tenor register, then for my taste it's too large. Sometimes dual-bores feel nice on their own, but I've never tried one that I didn't feel made an inferior ensemble trombone - for my playing, at least.

Now a smaller bass, there's some interesting mileage in that, I think.

[trombonehawaii]

I play a Kanstul 1662i wide width single bore slide. Previously I played a RND BA62-H which had a single bore slide. I have never played a dual bore nor have I ever considered putting one on my instrument.

[Bach42BOS]

.562 Edwards here.

[JP]

My Bach 50 slide was trashed, so I borrowed a dual bore Getzen slide. I liked it, but when I played in groups I got the "Wow" reaction from other players. So I purchased a dual bore Edwards slide (.562/.578) which I played for several years on my Bach bell section. Worked great, especially with the long nickel-silver leadpipe.

In 2001 I decided to buy a Shires, went to the factory and tried both standard and dual bore slides (and lots of bells, leadpipes, tuning slides, etc). The dual bore slide was a given for my playing--multiple roles in pop/jazz, theater, chamber, and orchestral music.

I do think it is better for players at an advanced level, it takes a bit more air and focus on tone, and that you match it with the right size mpc and bell material for the music you play the most. I use 2 Minick mpcs and 2 bells depending on what I am doing. Basic consideration for that is: big or intimate venues (and musical genre, of course).

By the way, Shires dual bore bass trombone handslide, "Big Wow".

[Bob Kolada]

I like dual bores and would really only consider a single .562 on a small bass.

[The Bone Ranger]

I'm finding more and more that I prefer single bore. I've always made a fairly big and dark sound on bass trombone, so don't really need the extra help in that department.

I played a dual-bore slide on my current Edwards for about four years, but moved to a single bore a year ago, and haven't really looked back. For me, it makes for a better blend with the tenors in and above the staff, easier to get some sizzle on articulations, and a little more lively and resonant.

Spent some time on a dual bore Shires that didn't really float my boat; it was transformed when I plugged in a single bore slide.

Andrew

[savio]

I had to write single. I don't think I tried dual bore. Or is the Conn 60h dual? Or the Holton TR180? Is it only new ones with this possibility. Should like to try it? Ben, you have to explain because there could be some here that don't know so much about dual bore slide? Please?

Leif

[John Beers Jr.]

If you can put your outer slide on upside down, it's single bore.

If you cannot, it's dual-bore.

[octavposaune]

Hello Leif,

Some modern bass trombones have an extra large lower slide tube.  None of the trombone's you mentioned would have had this, unless they had a custom built slide.

I believe Edwards was the first manufacturer to offer extra large tubes on it's lower slide for bass.  They offered it right around the time when they started making their own slide around 90-91.

Shires has dual bore bass slides, Conn has an optional slide which is a .562-.580 dual bore for the CL62H and I am certain other modern manufacturers make them as well. 

I like the way they blow and particularly the Bach 50B plays great with an edwards orchestral weight dual bore slide.  Something clicks IMO when you use those slides on 50's. 

But, as the poll indicates most people prefer single bore slides, and indeed that is what I play most of the time, and I don't think I was trying to construe that one needs to have a dual bore slide to sound good, or big, or dark, whatever...  I find it interesting that there are so few dual bore players out there

Benn

[BassBoneFL]

  I find it interesting that there are so few dual bore players out there

If you'd have taken this poll (in the US, anyway) 10-15 yrs ago, the results might have been different. I think the pendulum is swinging back. (much like Edwards and Shires have been selling more Medium and Light Weight bells recently)

[Gabe Langfur]

I totally agree with Harold. The recent trend in orchestral trombones is to lighter and more colorful.

Speaking for myself, I learned to play on a single bore slide and have never felt really comfortable on a dual bore. I tried for a while with a lightweight dual bore slide, which gave me some of the benefits of the open blow and easy response down low without sacrificing too much of the high range articulation (which I always felt I lost with heavier dual bore slides), but ultimately found myself back on my single bore slide. I feel like I can get the best balance of response and density of sound this way. In a lot of ways the dual bore responds better, but I miss something in the core of the sound.

[Doug Elliott]

Has anybody made a .547/.562 slide?  Might make an interesting "small dual bore bass" with a bass bell.

[savio]

Hello Leif,

Some modern bass trombones have an extra large lower slide tube.  None of the trombone's you mentioned would have had this, unless they had a custom built slide.

I believe Edwards was the first manufacturer to offer extra large tubes on it's lower slide for bass.  They offered it right around the time when they started making their own slide around 90-91.

Shires has dual bore bass slides, Conn has an optional slide which is a .562-.580 dual bore for the CL62H and I am certain other modern manufacturers make them as well. 

I like the way they blow and particularly the Bach 50B plays great with an edwards orchestral weight dual bore slide.  Something clicks IMO when you use those slides on 50's. 

But, as the poll indicates most people prefer single bore slides, and indeed that is what I play most of the time, and I don't think I was trying to construe that one needs to have a dual bore slide to sound good, or big, or dark, whatever...  I find it interesting that there are so few dual bore players out there

Benn

Thanks Benn, I think I got it. So the tube with mouthpiece on is normal and the one that goes in to the bell section is wider diameter. Makes it more open to play? More volume? Should be interesting to try one day.

Leif

[The Bone Ranger]

Has anybody made a .547/.562 slide?  Might make an interesting "small dual bore bass" with a bass bell.

Both Edwards and Shires do, and I believe some of the old Conn 70H's used to come with a dual bore of that size.

Andrew

[The Bone Ranger]

Makes it more open to play? More volume?

Loosely speaking, yes. My Edwards dual bore really lets me move a lot of air down low. It's especially noticeable when using two valves. Like most things, though, there are trade offs in other areas.

Andrew

[sanfranboner]

I'm a tenor player who started doubling on bass several years ago - never thought a dual bore bass would be my thing.  A few months ago I tried out a friends' Shires bass with virtually the same setup as my own except a dual bore slide - counter-intuitively, it felt great and was MUCH easier to play in the high register.  I don't have money to consider changing but wish I could!  Anyone have a similar experience?

[trombone addict]

Also Conn makes a replacement slide for their 88H series w/ removable leadpipes.

Hickeys music has that info on the website