Building an Instrument...

[kalishdude]

So, the other day I had an idea to construct a new version of the valve trombone that would be based off of the 6 independent piston valve model trombone. I was just wondering if any of you repair gurus could let me know how hard it is to build an instrument from spare parts and what exactly I need to make it happen. thanks a ton

[Dan Schultz]

So, the other day I had an idea to construct a new version of the valve trombone that would be based off of the 6 independent piston valve model trombone. I was just wondering if any of you repair gurus could let me know how hard it is to build an instrument from spare parts and what exactly I need to make it happen. thanks a ton

Nothing is impossible. You either need to have the patience to wait for the right combination of parts to come along... or be prepared to spend lots of money buying specific items. I have a couple of interesting projects outlined here that are the products of having just the right parts at just the right time:

http://thevillagetinker.com/projects.htm

[Lee Stofer]

Daniel,
How hard is it to build an instrument from spare parts, and exactly what do you need to do to make it happen?

That all depends upon your background. If you are skilled at musical instrument soldering, dent work, buffing, and general metal working as well as familiar with small machine shop tooling, and have all these resources, then the job would only be moderately difficult, provided that you can find ready-made parts in relatively good condition and that your design does not require a lot of custom fabrication.

And, I am not familiar with the instrument you mention, an independent, 6-piston trombone. I hope you are kidding, but afraid that you might not be.

[J.c. Sherman]

This is a difficult project if you are going the traditional route for 6v horns, which is that the "open" instrument is actually E natural (like 7th position on the Bb instrument), with valves 1-6 representing the same named trombone slide positions. They used a different type of piston to allow for this.

You can do it with a decending system, but it's a tall order. But, if you know how to solder, and pick two .500 valve sections, you will have only a very difficult time, but not impossible. you can even find copper tubing and ferules in .500 bore(ish).

No reason not to try, regardless. You'll learn lots, you may have something playable in the end, and you'll have a story. Succeed, and you have something neat to show and tell for it!

J.c.S.