Heckel contrabass trombone 2RV

[imperialbari]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0612965715

Looks like being in F. If the sellers statement that it is from around 1900 is true, then this would be the earliest sample of a two valve trombone that I ever heard about.

Klaus

[Lingon]

As you said, a very early 2 valve trombone. I do not know but does not the bell seems to be a bit small for a German instrument? Could be the perspective though. The paddles for the valves would also be a challenge to use. What do you think, are they engaged by moving up or down?

[imperialbari]

No to me they look being independent, but both activated by the left thumb, which presses them towards the mouthpiece. The triggers are hinged on the right side of the main bell stay. When pressed they pull the lever arms going to the rotors. German trombone bells always look smallish because their slides are long with long stockings. they almost always feel very front heavy.

Klaus

[imperialbari]

Maybe wrong about the left thumb. But how to hold that trombone?

Klaus

[Lingon]

Very good question.
Maybe to start, like other German traditional trombones,with the fingers around the first brace on the hand slide. Then it makes perfect sense as you said to move the paddles with the left thumb pushing them upwards. However I wonder about the weight and if anyone are capable of playing phrases longer than a couple of bars before totally numb in the left hand?!
I think older Alexander contras are built in a similar way regarding the paddles.

[Lingon]

Maybe wrong about the left thumb. But how to hold that trombone?

Klaus

I did start a new thread over at trombone forum. Interesting historical stuff and also pictures. Amongst them one where Douglas Yeo shows one way to hold another old German contra, which looks like to correspond well with what you suggested. The dual valve trombone timeline seems to be revised a bit over time. So for the curious, here is the link: http://tromboneforum.org/index.php/topi ... #msg812566