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[stanzabone]

on the Jupiter website there's a 'Chat' link. i got some info from a rep who said that the thumb rest is available on their large bore trombones but it's not available as a separate accessory. He did mention that several brass techs have ordered the parts for their customer's horns and that the part needs to be soldered on.

This seems to be the thumb rest. (Matt K's mention of the Shires part and the $15.00 price should have tipped me off) I'm looking for what they call their "pistol grip slide brace", from the ergonomic student horn. I suspect it's still N/A; they really seem to want to sell the whole trombone & not go into the accessory business!

[Jim Kelleher]

All of these things are a result of terrible ergonomics of most F-attachment trombones.  There is no free lunch.

If you can find an older King 4B, Holton TR-150, or some of the early Olds F-attachment instruments you can have the bell brace go between your thumb and first finger.  The horn holds the same way as a straight tenor.  But if you have a short thumb, you may have a problem working the trigger....

[Text omitted]

An Ergobone takes some getting used to.  It's pretty heavy and is attached to the lower slide cork barrel.  It has a peg that either fits into a holster you wear or sits on your chair.  Your freedom of movement while playing is limited.  Also a more expensive option.

Go try a few things and see what works.

What Bruce says about the ErgoBone is mostly true, but I've used mine for almost ten years, and I'd say there's good freedom of movement while playing, if you use the harness. There's a slight inconvenience engaging and disengaging the rod, and it feels a bit awkward if you keep it engaged and rest the bell on your knee. In short, you might experience disadvantages when you're waiting to play, but when you're playing it's pretty comfortable. One warning: In order to put the trombone in balance so that it feels weightless, you will have to add counterweight to the back end somehow. My counterweights are home made---not beautiful, but very effective. The only pressure I have to apply with my left hand is what's needed to keep the mouthpiece on my lips. 

I agree with Bruce about the trigger situation. The only F-attachment horns I play are old King 4Bs and 5Bs. I find the trigger position on Conns and most others intolerable.

[BiggieSmalls]

If you're not already exercising and stretching, I would suggest exercises and stretches that involve the arms/wrists/hands as the first step before considering a brace. My pain issues resolved with regular exercise and stretching away from the horn. BTW I play an 88H for a few hours every day.

Try to rest more often during your practice sessions, and stretch your forearms, wrists, hands and fingers while you're resting. The horn tends to turn the left hand into a claw, and if you play a lot, it takes some stretching to convince the hand that it is indeed still a hand.

My two cents.

[deanmccarty]

I purchased a Rath brace two years ago... it has been a life-saver.  I wasn't sure about it at first... but it is hard to imagine playing the bass without it now.  No more shoulder or wrist pain... It does not bind, pinch, hurt, or anything else... great product.  I will more than likely be purchasing another for my tenor.

[SandyMBarrows]

The ergobone works very good 

My problem is not so much with my left hand....it's my left arm and shoulder/upper back that are the problems...Also, my tenor presents no problem. It's the exposure to a 2 hour rehearsal with a lot of playing that brings it on.

A good bud of mine and I are playing bass trombones in a wind symphony...lots of playing during rehearsals. He has been using an ErgoBone for several years. Having watched him use his, I decided to order one. It should be here tomorrow, so that will allow me time to set it up and perhaps get used to it before the next rehearsal (He plays a TR180---I have a Shires dependent TruBore set-up....). I'll give a report later.

I did talk to Robert at Hornguys...the Shires hand rest won't fit the TruBore set-up without some modifying and soldering....since every brace---addition of metal, etc., affects the response, quality of sound. Also checked on the Kanstul hand brace for the contrabass (used to own one), and it just doesn't have the room to be installed. So, the ErgoBone seems to be the practical choice for me, right now.

[trombone addict]

I did talk to Robert at Hornguys...the Shires hand rest won't fit the TruBore set-up without some modifying and soldering....since every brace---addition of metal, etc., affects the response, quality of sound. Also checked on the Kanstul hand brace for the contrabass (used to own one), and it just doesn't have the room to be installed. So, the ErgoBone seems to be the practical choice for me, right now.

I was wondering about this. I would love to have a brace of some type that would make holding the horn for extended periods of time when I cannot switch hands, etc. The only drawback is I like my shires trombone just the way it is. I wouldn't want to add anything on that the horn wasn't designed to have clamped on.

Ergobone is out of my radar as I don't have any serious issue and I'm just looking at it as a luxury, not a necessity.

[SandyMBarrows]

The ErgoBone arrived, and, quite honestly, I can certainly endorse it for several reasons:

1) It is made well with much thought put into making it a practical accessory. The materials used are excellent.
2) It is comfortable, and the monopod provides additional flexibility.
3) It provides exactly what I expected....relief from the left hand supporting the weight of the instrument, but allowing the micro-adjustments as needed.

Recommendation: Take your time to set it up....it should put no odd kinks in your neck, bulbs in your embouchure, and marks on your horn.
I haven't used it with students because I want to use it myself first....so far, it's a super contribution (albeit somewhat expensive) to the dilemma of the increasing weight of our instruments....not to mention AGING.....ahem!

[W/SBTRB]

I have been using the ergobone for a year now with my double valve bass trombone. I use it probably 80% of the time. I have not found it restricting at all. Only thing to happen was one of the threads pop open but my wife used stronger thread to replace it. I believe it was Leo who told me about the hair scrunchie(can't spell) to slide up in to the spring to keep it from vibrating...works perfectly.