TubeNet

Try a Bach 3B. I have heard a lot of good things about them.

Nick

Basically, all the valve trombones are a company's .500" (small-bore) trombone with a valveset, so don't expect any of them to play like a euphonium. The best of them play like a bass trumpet. In a new horn, I'd check with either Kanstul, of Anaheim, CA, or Blessing, of Elkhart, IN. Either would be a solidly-built instrument that should play as well as any other, if not better.

Scooby Tuba wrote: Bach doesn't make a 3B...

First hand experience a plus...

Whoops, that's what I get for typing on the run. KING 3B.

Nick

I've used a couple of King 3B valve bones and they don't suck too bad.

Of the new stuff, Getzens aren't all bad but they are a bit pricey for my tastes.

Sou

Or a brass band baritone with three compensating valves instead.

If you could ever find one, Getzen used to make a "Jazzbone", which was made with a larger valve set and was much more open than most valve bones. Good luck finding one however. I wouldn't even know where to begin. I remember seeing one on ebay a few months back. In fact I bid on it but the price went too high for my budget.

As everyone has stated before valve bones are notoriusly stuffy instruments. We bought a few Yamahas for our band four years ago and they are well made and are in tune, still, they are a much smaller instrument than a euph. But then again you don't want to sound like a euph when playing jazz band music so the player will just have to adapt, and rightly he/she should. Look at it as a learning experience....

It is the same when euph players want to to learn trombone, but then when they play trombone they still sound like a euphonium. (a pet peeve of mine) Much of it is in their tonal concept, but alas that is a topic of another thread.....

ken k

I have a Getzen Valve & Slide combo for sale if you're interested.

Contact me for photos and price.

What brand and model valve bone did Juan Tizol play? Anyone know?

I didn't even know he played a valve trombone. The history books usually just say trombone. But, hey, you learn something new every day.

Nick

I would just teach the kid the slide positions.

I agree that the best of them was the Olds. Depending on how this kid plays, though, I kind of like the idea of a marching bari/Flugabone. Some of them (wish I could remeber which one) has a goofy wrap that doesn't let you extend the 3rd slide far enough, but it's a nice sound and freindly response, unlike most valve bones. If he is playing section and jazz solos, that would be my choice.

If he has to really sound like a trombone, he'll have to get used to a real valve trombone. Other than the Olds, I would agree that the King 3B has always been pretty nice.