Scott-S
Junior Member
Registered: October 2008
Location: Saint Paul, MN
Posts: 1
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Review Date: 10/27/2008
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Would you recommend the horn? Yes |
Price you paid?: $849.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Very versatile, great tone, great long-lasting workmanship
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Cons:
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Poor low register below the E-flat below the staff
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I bought this horn in 1985, when I began high school, I'm still playing it today, it's still in great shape, and I still love it! I bought the 0.525" bore for its versatility (I was in concert band, marching band, jazz band, orchestra, and small ensembles), and I bought Bach because of its reputation.
I didn't have very good information or guidance back in 1985, and price was an issue. Back then, there was a $100-200 difference between the Bach 36B and the 42B. Today, on WWBW, both the 36B and the 42B sell for $2549. Also, back then, there was no open wrap--only the closed wrap. If I knew then what I know now, I probably would have chosen the 42B, but hindsight is always 20/20. I also might have been steered toward the 36B because, as a young player, who knew if I'd be able to fill up the 42B. Now I definitely can.
Back then, versatility was a concern, and I was assured this horn would do it all--and it did. For a first-chair player in the concert band and orchestra, it was perfect. For the lead trombone in the jazz band, though, a straight tenor with a smaller bore might have been better, but the 36B was pretty good there, too.
Today, I mainly play in a community concert band and some small brass ensembles, and sometimes I wish I had the 42B, not only for a "bigger" sound but also for the lower register. When I need to play the 1st or 2nd parts, I have no problems--volume and tone and range are great. But when I need to play 3rd/bass, I'd like to have a bit more volume and a better lower register--i.e., from F just below the staff down to B-flat below the staff. I've been able to get a pretty good E-flat one line below the staff with a bigger mouthpiece--a Bach 5G--but when I need a D or a D-flat, it's not that good.
I know some reviewers are concerned about the 36B's upper register being "stuffy," but I've never had this concern. Also, some reviewers complain about the trigger being "noisy" (clanking, etc.), and I've had this concern off-and-on over the years, but lately, after a visit to a local (non-chain) music store / repair shop for an "overall cleaning and maintenance check," the trigger has been excellent--maybe the best it's been. So I think careful and consistent maintenance and lube of the trigger might be the trick.
Of course, I'm not too sure about the Vincent Bach recent history and how manufacturing protocols and quality have changed since 1985--and I'm not sure how things now compare to back then. But maybe I just got lucky and got a really well-made horn at a good time?
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