what trombone did J.J. Johnson play?

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

Update: Found an interview where JJ mentioned, he actually played the YSL 691 (.508) bore. The yamaha trombone in this video is the .651 (which is the .500 model).

[@ThisOldHorn]

So, really they are the same horn except for bore. .500 vs .508. Es verdad?

[@music4tv20]

thats old news tho :)

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

@@ThisOldHorn yeah

[@sethtsui]

JJ's personal 3B Silversonic is on display in Phoenix AZ at the musical instruments museum! They sometimes let performers play on the instruments for special events.

[@tbone08054]

Thanks for doing this. JJ was and is my favorite jazz trombonist. Many of the photos I have of him are with the King 3B. I saved for a bought the King 3B Silver Sonnet with F valve in 10th grade and still play it 52 years later!

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

We love JJ!! 🙌

[@Stonebone-nu8dk]

I think jj is over rated and kai winding is under ratex

[@magnus7088]

I met Jay in Boston 1994 and had the opportunity to play a little with him! At that time he played on the Yamaha.

[@davidwallace1390]

I liked the 3B as my favorite sound. JJ was amazing as are you. Thanks for taking the time to share.

[@richardweightman8162]

Just to add to this great vid, there is more detail in the book 'The musical world of JJ Johnson'. Describing the 2B/3b combo: "It's not a big deal; it's just that the factory has to make a coupler so the 2B slide will couple with the larger bell. I stayed with that for quite a long time". Ref the Yamaha 691 (not not 651 as stated in your vid... but I can't say who is right !): "For the first time in my life as a trombonist, playing the Yamaha 691, I hit the loudest high F. You wouldn't believe it. You could hear it a mile away. It was the first time I hit a high F in a live performance before a live audience". Finally, around the same time he began playing a custom made trombone to his own design "Everyone thinks it's a bass trombone; it's a tenor trombone. [It has a conical bore.... ] around the bend it starts to expand even more then it flares out into this 12 and a half inch bell".

[@MusicUnlimited-ff9uf]

I have a Conn 8H with a Corprion Bell Bought in 1958. Very good for the classical and solo work I did in Ohio. Carole Paul Toronto

[@skepticalmonkey7263]

The Williams Burbank 6 was my favorite. Thanks for posting.

[@blesstoad]

What coincidence that all these trombones are phenomenal!! 😂 Love your videos Paul, you're great

[@akswrkzvyuu7jhd]

A great recording to get is "Trumpet Evolution" by Arturo Sandoval. On it he plays the signature tunes of 19 trumpet players who influenced him the most, using the same equipment they used. You almost can't tell the difference between him and King Oliver on Dippermouth Blues. I am waiting for someone to come up with a trombone equivalent CD, it would be awesome.

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

Yes! Arturo told me that that is his favorite album he ever recorded . It’s amazing

[@ThisOldHorn]

Paul, Been playing the 651 and it is a delightful horn. Even if I decide to buy a 691 (don't know exactly why, just got this long standing JJ thing going on) I'll keep the 651 in the menagerie. It's got a great slide and is in great shape. I reckon you're right, it is the best kept secret in trombones. Thanks for turning me on to it, Rob

[@jojomaguwa]

I recently got a YSL 653 from Japan. (Ebay) I'm not sure how it differs from the 651 as both are .500 and 8" bells. It is a fantastic horn to play. The best I've ever owned. 👍

[@SpockMonroe]

The Earl Williams tone seemed softer, whereas the King and the Conn more direct, brighter. I was suprised yet again to also enjoy the sound of a Yamaha horn. Great video, thanksl

[@TruColor]

I played a King 3B for many years, and then eventually switched to the Yamaha YSL-691 later because of J.J. (!) One other note: I met J.J. on a couple of occasions, and one time he told a story about watching a marching band on TV (he LOVED college football), and noticed some of the trombonists were playing Flugabones - manufactured by King. He asked King if he could try one out and they sent him one. I had always wanted to get one myself, so I was sold. I still have it and have recorded on it as well.

[@Lalo-eg6pn]

The EW Burbank did it for me…velvety smooth and clear….I’d love to have one to join my C6H & K2/3B stable…. Again, so appreciate you sharing and having fun too…All the!!! best

[@Lalo-eg6pn]

Wow…opinions are varied…so cool!

[@jeffmack4995]

Hey Paul, love the video! went to school in Philly with Robin Eubanks, worked for quite a while in Atlantic City and Philly area. Have you ever heard or seen what Dick Nash supposedly did joining a Bach 16 with the tuning curve and slide crook of a King 3B. Let us know! Great series of work, thanks again

[@carlosquevedo6418]

I loved listening to all 3, but the first 'bone you played had the sweetest sound to me!

[@carlosquevedo6418]

Somebody stole my step up large bore Trombone back in 2010, and I pray that the Lord will find it with its wood lined square case and return it to me via special delivery(through registered mail.) Thanks ya'll. MQ

[@carlosquevedo6418]

footnote- it had an 8.5 inch bell,,point748 inch bore and the mouth piece looked just like an Yamaha 5G. Thanks

[@ThisOldHorn]

Pablo, The forest grows. I've ordered an Edwards T302 horn in satin lacquer with both a straight .500 slide and a dual bore .500/.508 slide. I'll just keep one after a trial period. I also just bough a Yamaha 361 on Ebay for $425. A remarkable find I think. By the way, you need to sign up for Pateron. I tried to go on there and support you but no joy. Not a terrible idea. Best, Rob

[@jamespileggi6650]

Really cool video, Paul. The Conn and King 3B had similar bright sounds. I like the Earl Williams model 6, it is a little darker. Yamaha is very nice,too. Thanks gor your effort!

[@RobEgertonJazzTranscriptions]

Thanks, Paul, for a really interesting video! Regardless of which horn he was playing, JJ had one of the best sounds ever!

[@chalmanholmes7300]

All of them sound great

[@leonardboesger8769]

Paul, great video on JJ’s trombones. On a separate item, did you ever analyze Bill Pearce’s playing?

[@garyhammond5267]

I'd say the conn and king sound brighter with the king slightly more defined. The williams and yamaha seem darker and more like each other with the darkest being the yamaha.. I listened to about 5 cuts of each jumping back and forth. Would be curious whether Paul you think similarly?

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

Ya I think the Yamaha is the darkest

[@hoverboard000]

I play on a Conn 4H and I'll admit its an antique, but this one also vibrates in 3rd position just like you're explaining here 5:30. Cool video!

[@JeremiahNichol]

Dude. This is incredible.

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

thanks!

[@nemonemo1841]

Hi, I'm an old french trombone player and I have a King 3B for 36 years!! Thank's for this very interresting vidéo. I didn't know this Earl Williams trombone, and I'm very surprise to enjoy his sound. Really great. Also for the Yamaha ! I just have a question about your mouthpiece, because the sound depend also of it. What is the brand and the model you're playing?

[@joethompson-tv1ss]

I liked the Williams and Yamaha best in your comparison. I love my King 3B Anniversary model and Jiggs 2B.

[@nofuneral1790]

That Yamaha has a couple components that look like Olds brand aesthetics. One of the support braces that ends with that flared out bit where you left hand was holding it especially.

[@franklee1550]

My first trombone teacher Dana Hughes played bass trombone in the band that JJ led in the late 60’s and early 70’s at the Coconut Grove in LA. I remember him talking about his horn and he said that the bell was a 3B but the slide was a 2B. He said his sound was huge and projected beautifully. I seem to remember also talking to Burt Herrick about JJ and he said the King he played had been altered and that the receiver on the 3B bell section had been changed to accept a 2B slide. Hope that helps.

[@spencerfreed6947]

I heard the same about JJ and the 3B. He seemed to like using the dualbore 2B slide on his 3B. I think it's pretty interesting!

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

Ya I want to try it but the 2b slide needs to be modified to fit 3b bell

[@pablito162]

@@PaulTheTrombonist JJ also had a custom "Conical Bore" trombone made, but it would be hard to find this one... You are correct it was the 691 not not the Yamaha YSL 651

[@billschas9202]

Great video! Those old Conns are very popular with "mature" players down in Texas. It's cool to compare the qualities of each horn, and hear them played well. Would you mind explaining your recording set up? The mic, your interface, eq settings, etc? Thanks!

[@TrenierTrombone]

Another one to add is JJ used a Bach 16M with a sterling bell on "Tangence"

[@ccrider5398]

Can you do other trombonists' horns? Joe Alessi, James Pankow, Kai Winding, J.C. Higginbotham, Christian Lindburg, Jay Friedman,

[@peterhartel1988]

to me the Burbank model sounds the darkest, or let me say the most authentic to J.J. Performance. I myself play a BAch Stradivarius, the same model that Bill Watrous does, yes, I'd like to try the Burbank... Great video Paul

[@jrg1127]

I've owned a Silversonic 3B and currently play a '65 6H. The 3B sounded very "JJ" to me, I was impressed with the Williams and surprised at the Yamaha.

[@kyoichirokori769]

JJ also played a little bit of Bach before he started playing YAMAHA. Also, Bill Watrous only used the King 3B for two years in the late 1960s. This is directly from Bill.

[@chuckpowell7417]

Loved the Yamaha!

[@BlueLou]

Wow! I just love hearing some really nice playing! I'm not sure which I like the best, but the Yamaha has the richest tone and the Williams the nicest attack and sound combined. Do the different models you played here have a different feel as far the air needed to blow and quickness of slide? Thanks for the video!!

[@wdstauter8429]

Hard to choose. All great sounds, with that JJ flair. I grew up listening to JJ Johnson and Kai Winding duet recordings with my dad.

[@Tracer83]

I scrolled to see if I could find the answer. On what tune/album does JJ play that lick/idea? I think I'd like to learn it (and listen to it in context).

[@kurtsanger716]

I think J.J. was right. You (Paul) sound great on all of them. It doesn't matter. The slight differences from the Conn to the Yamaha may be due to the order you played them in. I was able to score a used King 3B+ and I love it.

[@garychin7980]

Excellent work as always Paul. King 3B is the one for me. On the Touch of Satin recording in 1961 at Columbia, the engineer made his sound so fat and intense (close to peaking) like it was closer to the mic or something. I found that on First Place recorded in 1957 also at Columbia his tracks didn't sound quite as full. Did he use the same mouthpiece throughout, or did that change too?

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

Thanks, he used a king m21 mouthpiece his entire career

[@boneheadjazz]

Can confirm he did the 2B/3B thing. Heard from an individual who was close with JJ. Did it only with his own horn though

[@joesensor4508]

I am not sure it would work without modifying either the slide receiver or the bell. I have a 3B and a 2B bell and they don’t work together. The 2B bell is from 1944, and the 3B is from the 60s. The 2B does work with a king 605 small bore though.

[@Tubulous123]

Thank you.

[@rmverdi]

The 3b sounds the most "him" to be. I do like the clarity and sound of the Williams.

[@waynejohnson3898]

I had a friend of mine who knew him very well JJ was his daughter godfather he also told me he hire him for a gig one time for about $150 he used to take pictures for him for his album covers My friend was a trumpet player that played by a Bach trumpet so JJ used to play a Bach trombone at the time

[@johndias6614]

Can you touch on a dual bore trombone? I have my dad's E. K. Blessing from the mid 1930s. I didn't realize it was a dual bore until one day I was cleaning the slide a wasn't paying attention and started to put the slide on backwards and the pipes didn't fit! (The slide lock is on the bottom on this horn and in so used to my 3B and my Olds I forgot) Is dual bore common? Who developed it and what was the theory behind this?

[@Slipnslide73]

Really like the Burbank and the 6H!

[@Slipnslide73]

YOU sound sweet on all of them!

[@jacksonbrucea]

To me you sound most like JJ on the 3b. I have a 3b. After the 3rd time it went for back for warranty repairs for rattles in the bell brace they just replaced the bell. With the new bell it plays a lot darker and heavier; not worse, probably better for legit, just not as jazzy. Thinking about trying something new rather than another 3b. Ever play a Kansul 1606? It is supposed to be a copy of an Earl Williams

[@slipbone]

Nice vid Paul. I think I like the Williams. It seems a bit darker than the 6H but sounds more defined. I tend to like darker sounding horns so I do like the Yamaha but I'd go for the Williams. I haven't played one.

[@DLudwg42]

On my laptop speakers, the King 3B sounds the most like JJ. Of course he used a completely different mouthpiece (King M21). But they're all good.

[@Ydyocoh6kkvipu]

my favorite conn 6h.

[@peterlaurence-couzens8913]

He may well have played a Yamaha 651, but he was more noted for playing the later 691 as per the photo in your video. The 651 had been discontinued by the time the 691 took over. Of course I could be wrong on this………..

[@mandelharvey3429]

I read the King James Bible and at the end it talked about the apocrypha. I had a 3B and though I was good. And whatever the horn, you can play your tail off. I'm confident enough in my playing to know if I want any horn to sound like that, I need to practice. I salute you living the dream. I still have a day job and not the income to have the space to put those horns let alone purchase them. Wow. Talk about a fun place to be. You live in my fantasy land.

[@paulbrewer2374]

I prefer the King 3B and the Williams 6. I played with J. J. in late April, 1991. He was playing a Yamaha 691 at that time.

[@imacrusher4567]

I absolutely loved the sound of the conn I would love to have one of my own.

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

My only regret is that I wished I tried one sooner in life

[@imacrusher4567]

@@PaulTheTrombonist I better start saving then

[@walterbryant5543]

I'm partial to the Conn 6H sound...a little brighter and more mellow than the King. I started on the 6H way back in the 70s. Wish I had kept it up😐. The Williams was definitely darker, similar to the Yamaha. Love your playing as always.

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

Thanks Walter

[@stra1yf337]

He used a 3b Bell with a 2b+ slide, so he turned it into a 3b with a straight 500 slide. I play this exact combination.

[@spm5588]

The 2B+ hadn't been introduced during the time that he played a 3B

[@benjaminfraser2535]

They all sounded like JJ. The horn that sounded the smoothest and cool like JJ was the YSL-651… I also like the sound of the Earl Williams Model 6 😊😊😊

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

🙌

[@ChristopherScottATL]

Loved the Burbank.

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

🕺

[@yerfreyfernandezvaldes9377]

I prefer king 3b and the williams sound because to me they have a warmer and smooth sound i can feel it

[@joksal9108]

The Burbank has the sweetest sound. The others all sound the same, at least to me. What do I know-I’m a trumpet player.

[@nahrings]

King is his best Sound - ALSO IMPORTANT: Player & Mouthpiece

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

My favorite solo of His is on a king . Yesterdays live at the opera house

[@marctartell5462]

Earl’s a pearl!

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

Great horn

[@douglasfur3808]

Yes the YAMAHA is a sleeper. I have the large bore version. It has the same vibration in 3rd. It also has the same metal combo as the Olds Super; bronze bell and nickel silver that gives them power and brilliance.

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

Interesting! Ya it has a fun buzz on the hand slide . (Only can feel though, doesn’t get in the way of sound )

[@joesensor4508]

I lent my olds super to someone years ago and never got it back. Great horn, hope it’s doing well out there in the world…

[@waynejohnson3898]

I had a friend of mine work in a record shop in Indian He said JJ will come in and he would buy all Mile Davis CD he said he got all his ideas for miles

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

Interesting! Lester young too was one of his favs but JJ had his own ideas

[@chrismarbrey9678]

The Yamaha looks almost like an Olds

[@darrinharvey3384]

I like the Williams … sounds the roundest to me

[@rtstt2886]

Conn ~/Yamaha

[@jonathamaximiniano6025]

I closed my eyes and I was petrified when I realise that the best (for me) it's been the Williams!

[@martitapere6938]

I loved the Conn most.

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

They sure sound nice

[@harveyputsche4408]

I liked the King and the Yamaha of the 4 best King seemed to be the most crisp but so close to the Yamaha that it could go either way

[@ThisOldHorn]

Paul, At first the 6H was not as good as the 3B, but the Williams blew me away with the mellow deapth of sound. Big, round and dark it dominated the first two. The big surprise was that the Yamaha was just about as good as the Williams. Shit, who knew?

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

Ya the Yamaha is the best kept secret in trombone world. It’s about 1/5th the price of a Williams too

[@rickharris8780]

Dude! I can not like this video enough. I have always wondered about a lot of this. I knew about the King (2b or 3b wasn't sure) and then the Yamaha later on. Even in the 90s, I was looking to get a 691. Got an 891Z now. Basically the same horn but with a more open leadpipe option on the Wycliffe option. They also now have it in detachable bell which I haven't tried yet. That seems to be the new thing with guys like Gilkes and Steiner

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

comment below what one you liked!

[@fredschaffner4118]

3B with a 2B slide, special-made at the King factory - JJ confirmed it in several interviews and his book. And it was a Yamaha YSL-691. That's in the book too!

[@keithmufuka1566]

What is your take Paul on San tafe trombone brand

[@joybroyles7788]

I liked the sound of the King the best, but I think I’d like to play the Yamaha the most. The way you described it sounds like my H. N. White; it resonates/ rings especially in 3rd. I’ve wondered why that is.

[@POlson-yl5ph]

Notice the Conn 3 mouthpiece on the 6 h. Then the king m21 after that. Both funnel shaped and different than most other people play…

[@etimezz]

I absolutely love the 50's Conn 6h. That trombone is the realest.

[@Itspatwiththebone]

you selling any horns?

[@danielnewman134]

The King 3B sounded best in my ears.

[@roberthoffhines5419]

The King was the most distinctive, a nice declamatory brightness to the articulations. But my fave was the Williams. Rich, almost like a .547 bore. Shame he never large bore tenors. The Conn made you sound like Fontana (!) esp in the connection between the notes. The Yamaha was so nice an even, like they always are. Almost too perfect.

[@waynejohnson3898]

Did you know He played a Bach trombone around 1960-62 too

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

Wow I did not, thanks for sharing

[@tribiut2009]

King 3b

[@waynejohnson3898]

He said he didn’t have a preference

[@barriegott8584]

King 3B

[@waynejohnson3898]

He had a thing he’s not he did not want to buy a trombone and advertise for them for free so whoever gave him a trombone he played it he said they was all the same

[@jtn191]

M21 mouthpiece right?

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

Ya that’s what he played his entire career

[@Kontrabass66]

You are telling a few wrong things here: Jay Jay played the KIng 3B at least to the mid 80ies and then he played a 691, he never played the clunky 651..

[@jtn191]

Wow I thought it was only Kings then switching to Yamaha late

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

Ya it’s interesting 🎵

[@fredschaffner4118]

He switched to Yamaha in the 1980s

[@Peter-ii4xq]

Well defenitiv the Yamaha sounds to dark. A bad player sounds reasonable with it, but it's fake. Then the King, they have always sounded more clear, more high in it. But I like yours. Once I had collected 7 Conn's 6H for me and college's who also wanted one. They were build between 1955 and 1965. I kept the two best for me. One is like new! Strange, there was one trombone with a smaller bell. I never heard about that. He is now played by the principal of the Dutch Marine band. I myself have never found a better trombone for me then the 6H. Finaly the famous Williams: I never played one. The slides seem to have worn out!?

[@Peter-ii4xq]

I almost forgot my mouthpiece. It's rather big Doug Elliot for these instruments. Comparable size with Bach 5. I cannot play higher at smaller mouthpieces.

[@williamroark]

“What” Trombone did Bill Watrous play?

[@PaulTheTrombonist]

He played Bach

[@williamroark]

@@PaulTheTrombonist I JUST watched your KZbin Duet with the MASTER!! HOW AWESOME 💜🙏✨✨✨ (You are. VERY GOOD 😉) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioCWdJyEmNGge9U

[@rtstt2886]

YAMAHA encorpado som 🏆

[@waynejohnson3898]

Jay John JJ Johnson said it didn’t make no difference what trombone he played they was all the same to him he played the one they gave him to play

[@BruceSettergren]

I'll smoke what he's smoking.