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I've about decided to make a foray into bass tbone this summer, for something new and different. The problem is going to be the weight of the thing; I know for sure I'll need some kind of support for it. Even with a tenor bone, I hold my left hand in a fist, not with the index finger pointing upwards like you're supposed to. My index finger is not that long or that strong, and frankly I don't see why the fist hold is "improper." It works for me. Anybody use a support?

I also have to aim the slide off to the right in order to get that last position (Doug Yeo, in PEM a few years ago, told me to do that. I figure if he says it's ok, it's ok.)

So...although DY recommended a certain Yamaha model, I wonder what could be out there that is not a beginner blatter horn, but something oldie but goodie that would get a decent sound and not weigh a ton, just a single trigger that plays open. Just general ideas and/or models. Suggestions? I'd rather not spend a billion bucks on something that I don't even know if I can get it to work. If shipping bass bones is as treacherous as shipping tubas.....I'd be much better off borrowing one locally if I can find such an animal to borrow or rent. Music stores don't rent these babies around here, though.

MA

bloke wrote:

But, of course, then it's hard to get rid of if it catches fire.

The fist hold is fine, the strap shown (I think that's the Klebsch, but Leather Specialties also makes one for about half the price) is good, the Greenhoe Rest Bar is good. I'm trying to get Leather Specialties to make something I think will be better - we'll see.

As to a good single valve bass - a good Bach 50B can be very nice, but maybe a little hard to find. A bad one will be frustrating, because it will have notes that will never sound as good as the rest of the horn. Older Conns are also great, and if you can find a 70H, don't buy it - call me instead . I think Dillon's has a couple of 72H's in their used stock. Not my favorite Conn model, but a pretty nice horn.

I used to have a single valve Yamaha as a backup horn, and it really was pretty good. I think the model was YBL 321; if you can find one it might be a good choice for you, as the slide is a little narrower than a Bach. I haven't played them, but I'll bet their current models 421G (single valve) and 620G (dependent double) are both good doubler's horns.

Finally, Kanstul makes a couple of single valve models that are lightweight and very nice. They feel and sound a little light for my personal taste, but they play very well.

Of course, we can make a single valve instrument at Shires (I'm their salesguy, for those that don't know), but I imagine you don't want to spend that much.

Have fun!

I recently bought a Greenhoe rest bar for my two valve Holton TR185. With the included hose clamp it's adjustable so as to find the optimum placement, and if you decide to keep the bar, it can be soldered for a more permanent fit. It was money well spent.

But I agree that a single-trigger is probably your best bet for the initial foray. I also have an old single valve Holton as a back up, it is much lighter, and I use it for jobs that don't require the second trigger. I've seen them for sale for as low as $600, but you'd need patience to find another one.

Thanks for the comments.

It appears that MA Fist Grip = Haynor Grip. Goes to show that necessity can be the mother of invention more than once.

Anybody every use the Ergobone? It's a strap thingy of some kind, around your neck. Not cheap. European, I think.

Somebody has out an extendable stick-like thing that some triple (french) horn users are using to play standing up. Triple horns are heavy enough that even standard-built people of the male variety can have trouble playing them standing up for any length of time. I think I'd like something on that order for a bass bone if it is have-able. My left hand (which is my violin hand) just will not take the abuse of holding up a bass bone and still be able to be delicate on a fiddle fingerboard.

MA

A single rotor horn will work just fine in community band, brass band, and for 95% of the orchestral repertoire. The only place (my opinion) you will be at a truly serious disadvantage is playing modern big band jazz charts. It takes a lot of time to build up the strength to be comfortable with a double rotor horn- more than most doublers will have to spend.

In addition to the suggestions others have made, I've played some older Olds and Reynolds bass 'bones that I really liked. Some of the older traditional wrap horns have a longer F attachment tuning slide. This lets you pull out to get an E in first position. This can be surprisingly useful if you don't have a problem using sixth position for your low C's and F's.

I've been using a homemade rest for 10 years. I had to because at times my arthritis won't let me do anything with my left wrist. That the principal reason I started doubling. I see the day when I have to hang up the bone. Mine is very simple. It's a cleat that attaches to the slide reciever with a leather wrap. A brace with a u shaped end slides up into the cleat and either rests on the chair or sticks in my belt. It's really very similar to the ergo bone. I couldn't be without it. An added plus is that it frees up the left hand to be very relaxed on the triggers. Speeds the trigger work up a lot. When I'm not using the rest the cleat rests in my palm and allows me to use the triggers freely. All the weight is on the palm of my hand, no grip pressure required.