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Hello everyone! I have another tinkering question. Who here has built a contrabass trombone in F or BBb? I'm more interested in BBb, but F is a good start.
What size bore is preferable though the slide and valve/valves?
How large is the bell? Can you salvage one off of a euphonium?

I work in an instrument repair shop, and we have a lot of spare parts lying around. If I have the right parts, it would be fun to track down any other parts I need and cobble something together as a first frankenhorn project.

Slide tubes larger than .578 will be harder to find, especially in longer lengths. I believe Shires may have long .578's?

From what I've owned and played I'd recommend an F with a .578/94 slide and .600/620 valves. I had a Kanstul with a .562/94 slide and I always thought it felt strange.


What bass trombone do you currently play? A smaller bore contra (.562/78 slide, .594 valves) might work. I played the extended Shires a few years back and it was ok (would probably be better as a purpose built instrument).

The one Chinese contra I played a few years ago actually played very well and had a fantastic low range.

I currently have a Conn 72H.