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Bach LT50 Trombone  played by Norlan Bewley
Bach LT42 Trombone  played by Norlan Bewley
Bach LT50 Trombone  played by Norlan Bewley


Reviews - Bach Stradivarius Trombones
Bach LT50B3O Trombone - 50b Bass Trombone

There is just something about the tone of Bach trombones that I love. Perhaps it’s in their overtones…I really don’t know for sure what it is. Even though I love the sound, I was never as fond of their response and flexibility until I tried the LT (lightweight) nickel slides. For me, adding an LT slide produces the ideal combination of tone, response, flexibility, and intonation in a Bach trombone.

The fact that the entire line was designed by one person brings a consistency in both feel and slide positions through the different models that is very useful when you often switch between many sizes of trombones for various musical situations. Although there are more superb brands of trombone available today than ever, Bach still remains the standard to which they are all compared.

Bach LT50B3O Trombone

Also known as the Bach 50b, Bach 50B, Bach 50b3, or Bach 50b3o, the Bach LT50B3O is a fantastic independent double trigger bass trombone. I use the 9 ½ inch bell model for more focus of sound. The 10 ½ inch bell model is a bit too big for me. The independent triggers offer more alternate position options which is handy, but you have to develop your left thumb and second finger coordination to utilize them effectively. I use a bullet brace to help free up my thumb and finger for the valves and to better balance the heavy horn. I like to use the standard Gb tuning for the second trigger. The 50 has a great sounding low range! It is also very even throughout the regular range as well. I use the Bach 50 for both symphonic and commercial work. My first bass trombone was the popular Holton 181, which is a fine bass trombone. It just didn’t suit me like the Bach 50 does. I never felt comfortable with the positions on it. The 50 almost feels like I’m playing a very big tenor rather than a bass, which I really like. Even though I play tuba, I never thought I would care that much for playing bass trombone but I was wrong. With the Bach 50B3O, I love bass trombone playing now!

This instrument review was with a Monette BT 1 S mouthpiece.

What is an F attachment or "trigger" on a trombone?

The F attachment or "trigger" is a rotary valve added to the trombone, mostly found on larger bore models. This valve is operated with the thumb, and works like the fourth valve on a euphonium or tuba. When added to the slide, it drops the pitch to a lower harmonic series. For example, play a first position middle F, add the trigger, and you can now play a C below the F in first position. This increases the low range of the trombone and also offers additional alternate positions. There are many types of valve available for the F attachment, many with the goal of more closely matching the feel and sound of the "straight" trombone (one without a trigger). The rotary valve is the most common, with the Thayer, Hagmann, Greenhoe, Christian Lindberg, and Bach K valve available as well. The "open wrap" style of tubing is also a popular option, although some players still prefer the traditional (closed) wrap. The open wrap has fewer bends in the tubing, "opening" up the feel and sound of the trigger. Most major trombone brands offer both styles of wrap, and some offer a choice of valves.

Bass Trombone Independent Double Trigger Valves

Bass trombones are available with double trigger valves as well as a single valve. There are two systems – dependent and independent valves. With dependent valves, the second trigger only works while the first trigger is engaged. With independent valves, the triggers can be used together or separately. The first trigger is an F attachment valve. There are some different options for the tuning of the second trigger. The most common is the Gb tuning. This tunes the second trigger to Gb, Db and low Gb when used with first position, like F, C and and low F with the first trigger and first position. When combining the first trigger and second trigger together, a low D below low F can be played in first position. For more detailed information on bass trombone double triggers, see “The Double Valve Bass Trombone” by Alan Raph and published by Carl Fischer (04808). It is an outstanding method book for bass trombone by one of the best players around.

Specifications

Bach LT50B3O Bass Trombone
"Stradivarius" - Double in-line independent rotor system, Bb/F/Gb, .562" bore, 9-1/2" one piece yellow brass hand hammered bell, lightweight nickel silver outer handslide tubes, chrome plated nickel silver inner handslide tubes, open wrap "F" section with traditional rotor, clear lacquer finish. Comes with genuine Vincent Bach large shank mouthpiece and zippered cordura hard shell case.

See More Reviews of Bach Stradivarius Trombones

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