Handcrafted Trombone Model Specifications

In the USA, Edwards trombones can only be purchased direct from Edwards. Customers can make an appointment (3-4 weeks in advance) to visit the Edwards factory in Elkhorn, Wisconsin (well, Edwards instruments are actually built in the same premises as other Getzen instruments) to try the various bell, slide and other options in order to put together a customised instrument which can be purchased on the spot (a two week trial of the purchased instrument is allowed). Alternatively, for those who can't visit the factory, Edwards will send out instruments on an approval basis. A third alternative is to purchase online from the Edwards website. Customers from abroad can purchase standard models from authorised dealers in some countries (eg The Valve in the UK).

Bells can often be doubled buffed to thickness in-between the gauges cited below. Bells can be ordered with Conn- or Bach-style slide receivers, where the customer intends to use a Conn or Bach slide with an Edwards bell. Tuning slides are available in yellow or rose brass, and as single (continuous bend; freeblowing and open) or dual radius (squarish, easier response in upper register but more compact sound). A range of leadpipes are available.

I read somewhere that Gary Greenhoe was responsible for the early design and development of Edwards trombones, but can't seem to locate where I saw this, so don't quote me on that.

Bells are constructed in two piece fashion. They are available in five different materials - yellow brass, gold brass, red brass, copper and nickel silver - and can be produced heavy- or light-weight as desired by the customer. Newer instruments (produced circa 2002 onwards) have convertible bells, allowing the player to change bells to better suit different requirements. A choice of three materials is available for the outer slide: yellow brass, gold brass and nickel silver. Hagmann valves are mounted on models with attachments. The Swiss-made valves are the only components not manufactured in the Rath workshop.

Potential customers can visit the Rath workshop to try the complete range of Rath trombones and the myriad options for themselves, and then have a customised trombone put together to desired specifications with expert input from staff members. Standard models are also available from authorised retailers (e.g. The Valve and John Packer in England, Dillon Music in the USA).

Shires bells are two-piece constructs manufactured in-house from red brass, gold brass or yellow brass (designated R, G and Y, respectively). Tenor bells have a standard diameter of 8.5 inches (for symphonic bells) whereas the standard bass bell flare is 9.5 inches (but other tenor and bass flares are available on special order). There are two basic bell designs, available detachable or fixed: Models 1 and 2. Model 1 is Bach-like and has a soldered bead, producing a cleared, more centered sound. Model 2, with unsoldered rim, is more (old-style) Conn-like, producing a broader and fuller sound. Both models are available in standard, light, medium or heavy weights (light-weight bells have a quicker response and are more resonant and brilliant; medium bells are slightly lighter in weight than standard; heavy-weight bells hold up better at loud dynamics but require more effort). Bass trombone bells are available in two flare dimensions, BI (compact flare: strong "core", easy projection) and BII (wide flare: very broad sound). All bells can also be thinned in flare (designated T7) or work-hardened (T3) to provide a quicker response and more brilliance; alternatively they can be softed by heat-treating ("annealing" treatments designated A1 or A2) for a warmer sound. The 2RVE, 2RVET7 and 2RLWT7 models are based on or similar to classic Elkhart Conn bells ("VE", for "vintage Elkhart"), and so are particularly popular with Conn enthusiasts. In, contrast, enthusiasts of the Bach sound tend to favour 1Y or G models. As an interesting side note, it seems that some trombonists find the standard-weight Y bells to be easier to play than the RLW ones(!).

Shires tuning slides are of a continuous-taper double-radius design intended to combine the best characteristics of single- and double-radius tuning slides (the "B" model radius is standard but other tapers are available). They are available in yellow brass (clearer sound and articulation) or gold brass (warmer sound, more "covered" articulation). Shires claims that for many of his customers, gold brass tuning slides go well with yellow bells (adding warmth) whereas yellow tuning slides help to clarify articulation and focus the sound of red brass bells.

Slide tubing is drawn in-house, and slide assemblies are carefully put together and stress-relieved, resulting in slides that have been acclaimed by many players for their smoothness. Slides are specified by bore size and crook design (narrow Conn-like crook or Bach-like bass crook) and material (standard model slides are yellow brass with nickel sleeves and crook; options include gold brass or nickel tubes, and yellow crook), and are available in standard or lightweight (no sleeves) models. The single bore ones are claimed to be easier to articulate and clearer. In contrast, the dual bore slide models are described as being more open, and either producing a larger sound (but requiring more air) than a single bore slide the size of the dual bore upper tube or a more focused sound compared with a single bore slide with the diameter of the dual bore lower leg.

Slides come with three interchangeable yellow brass leadpipes (the standard ones are Models 1-3: Model 1 is clearer and more focused, 3 is broad and full, 2 is in-between), although the option of a single fixed leadpipe is also available. Other leadpipe options are also available, eg longer or shorter pipes than standard (more centred versus more open), different materials (gold brass, nickel silver, sterling silver - these are warmer & denser, more brilliant and more solid & dense, respectively) and Vintage Elkhart.

Attachments are available with the Shires Rotary Valve (an improved rotary design similar to the Greenhoe valve; Greenhoes are no longer offered as an option on Shires trombones) or Thayer-based valve (Steve Shire's axial flow valves incorporate his own improvements on the Thayer). Additionally, there are at least two new valve designs in the works. Unlike many other custom manufacturers, Shires produces all his valves in-house. The Shires philosophy is that airtightness of the valve is essential to the response and centered feel of an instrument, and it is a point of pride with Shires that all valve assemblies are tested for air-tightness and accurate tolerances (it seems that some other custom manufacturers do not conduct such testing).

Instruments are normally finished with a durable epoxy lacquer but raw brass, silver-plated, and gold-plated finishes are also available.

It seems to me that a page called the "technical list" (or something to that effect), which I seem to recall being present on the old Thein site, must have been overlooked and hence left out in the design of the new site. As a result, certain specific tidbits of information cannot be found (eg bore sizes are denoted as size I or II or III, etc, and nowhere on the site can you find out exactly what a size I bore is). I have sent Thein an e-mail about this issue and will endeavour to fill in the gaps if and when I get a reply.

Voigt trombones are manufactured from gold brass, brass, nickel silver or sterling silver. The bells are available in different diameters, with various rim styles as desired, e.g. Saxon rim, French rim. Valve options include a specially-developed short pressure action design as well as the usual Thayers and Hagmanns.

The website, at www.helmut-voigt.de, is only available in German.

Customisation of instruments is possible. The availability of modular large bore and bass instruments allows customers to choose from the following bell options: material (gold brass, yellow brass or nickel-silver), hardness (hard or soft), weight (standard, light or heavy), diameter (8.5, 9.75 or 10.5 inches). Other options include leadpipes (choice of 3) and bore sizes(.525, .525/.547, .547, .547/.562, .562).

DEG distribute Willson instruments in the USA, and appear to have given the instruments their own (DEG) model numbers.