The Legendary Flugabone! King 1130 Flugabone review

[@ElMaloDelBronx]

Keith, I'm flattered that you mentioned me in your presentation. Brother the you play the hell out of that horn. Where are you located? Would love to meet you one day. Respect!

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thank you for watching; I’m truly honored! I (and the Trombone Shop) are in Minnesota; there is a busy Salsa scene here in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro and I’ve had the privilege of playing many of your songs with local salsa bands! I too hope to meet you one day; thank you again!

[@Torqueasi]

As someone who's been on the hunt for an 1130 for quite a while, this is a really cool video to watch. I'm primarily a trombone player, but in drum corp I play Baritone. Recently I broke my arm, so playing anything with heavier motion or too heavy of a bell, like my 1127, has been difficult to say the least. Enter my recent find, I do have an Olds O21 that was a gift from my the High School I volunteer to teach jazz at, as well as serving as sort of a brass mentor. I adore the sound of the Olds. I'd love to get my hands on one in silver, so I can swap over to playing in full time for Drum Corps.

[@ericrichmond8730]

Glad you mentioned the Salsa style. It was the staple of Fania Records sound with Willie Colon' and Ruben Blades

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

I am an admitted latecomer to salsa but Willie and Ruben have certainly been influences on me; now we just need the pandemic to end so we can have salsa performances again and I can put it to use! Thanks for watching!

[@rorschach162]

@@SchmittMusicTromboneShop What size practice mute does it take?

[@rorschach162]

@@SchmittMusicTromboneShop Did Conn make an identical model?

[@EvanWeeks]

What a cool concept! Heck, I WANT one, and I just bought a King Marching Euph, so I have to wait a bit or my wife will murder me and keep my ashes in the Euph.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

I do really love playing it; however, with that said I have been a big fan of the King marching euphoniums for a while. We had one of the original System Blue euphoniums in our shop for a time and while it would kill my left arm to play for extended periods it sounded and responded wonderfully!

[@sampagan1067]

The stress will be enough to bury you in the Euph alive. I know with my brass collections.. : )

[@EvanWeeks]

@@SchmittMusicTromboneShop Just a follow-up, I actually ended up picking up a Flugabone by Wessex Tubas, and it's GREAT! It blows freely, has a nice crisp top-end, and I can still pretty easily reach down to pedal tones with the Denis Wick 7BS mouthpiece I've been using.

[@mikesosa1146]

Love the Flugabone / Marching Trombone and love the Willie Colon intro. THANKS!!!!

[@HallOfBass]

So glad you reviewed this horn!

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

My pleasure! I noticed there are a few players who have been posting recent videos with their flugabones; I'm glad to see folks still playing them regularly!

[@rorschach162]

@@SchmittMusicTromboneShop Have you tried the Dynasty Flugabone?

[@marvinschumacher8549]

is it possible to get a left-handed flugabone ?

[@kurthotelling6606]

I'm a freshly retired Bandmaster -- I was able to purchase the last two King Fluga/Fluegelbones in the market 22 years ago -- I used one with my Bands for marching (I played with them) and the other for concert when I conducted and played with them. After professionally performing on Euphonium and BBb Tuba, I needed something handier for teaching. LOVE these horns! Incredibly diverse in sound and flexibility. Why do I have TWO of them? Well, one student was holding my first and dropped it on pavement -- my poor horn was restored, but not overhauled (yet) -- plays like a dream but carries those scars. I went to the source for this design and was told flatly that it will never be made again. Damned shame.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

It's amazing how these horns have come back to the fore over the past several months; I love mine and I get a lot of folks looking for them but, as you say, they are not really in production currently. However, we may or may not be working on a project as a part of our Lake City line... ;)

[@anthonygonzalez6422]

Another retired bandmaster here, enjoying the 1130! Hooah!

[@SlikkTim]

So THAT is how they got those old Willie Colon records sounding so gritty !! Amazing sound ! Great playing btw

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for watching!

[@terryturner261]

I own one and I love playing it, thanks for doing a piece on it

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

My pleasure! I have been playing mine for about 3 weeks and I love it more and more every time I play it! I may be taking it out for it's first gig this weekend (we will see...)

[@TruColor]

I bought one of these back in the '90s and used it on a number of gigs in Chicago and Denver where I used to live and gig a lot. Even have a recording of me soloing on it with the Neophonic Jazz Orchestra. Love that thing.

[@kbroadey]

Great review, thanks! I've got one too and it's such fun to play when my regular euphonium is too mellow for the setting. Have managed to get your hands on an 1127 marching baritone (or the 1124 - same thing with a small shank adapter on the leadpipe). That's great fun too, though tiring on the arms. The 1129 marching euphonium looks interesting too - seems to be halfway between the flugabone and bari in terms of bore increase towards the bell.

[@QMore-fp7wn]

Cool vid and great playing. I played the Olds version in college marching band. We fielded traditional, slide bones, marching baritones, matching euphoniums, and the flugalbones. We called them marching trombones. Needless to say we had a big low brass sound.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for sharing (and watching!)

[@justinwillow6194]

Nice playing! I have a lacquer King 1130 and a Kanstul Custom Class 955 marching trombone in silver plate. The Kanstul is more finicky, with brass (instead of nylon) valve guides that can slip out of place and very wide valve buttons. Otherwise they seem identical; a nice mellow sound with lots of possible color variations that I'd describe as a bass cornet. The earlier Olds design is wrapped tighter and smaller - I have three examples (Olds O21, Bach Mercedes 883, Blessing M200) all in varying condition from the 70s 80s and 90s. All play a bit differently, with the sound varying a lot between mouthpieces, but all are more brazen, harsh and trombone-like than the King design. I prefer them for most combo Jazz work with a Bach 14D Megatone (this makes the lower register a bit awkward).

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

When I was exploring flugabone options the warmth and “non-trombone ness” of the King was a big selling point. Does your King have nylon valve guides? Mine has integrated metal guides; they’re quiet enough now but I do worry about them in the future...

[@bernardwhite8007]

King flugebones are great instruments The guy in the video mentioned old bones but no mention of Reynolds flugebones. I think rentals makes the greatest they have different bores such as 5:15 5:10 and 520 size bores They are very hard to find but if you can find one in good condition definitely jump on it I have one and I love it. I have the 5 15 bore. Slick valve action in big sound with no stuffiness.

[@snoopdrj]

Nice playing, man! Thanks for reviewing this horn. Never seen one before, and you played the Hell out of it!

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thank you for watching! I have been spending a lot of time with it over the past month and it is getting more comfortable all of the time; I almost love it more now then when it arrived (which I think is a good sign!)

[@KingofBlah37]

Idilio at the beginning! I'd been wondering what Willie Colon played for his valve stuff. I was only recently exposed to the flugabone, so I always assumed it was a normal valve trombone or bass trumpet.

[@daveburch235]

Seeing this a couple of months ago inspired me to find my own King 1130, and now I own one. They are pretty scarce. This one had some minor damage that my tech fixed up easily. That, and a good cleaning, and it sounds pretty much like the one Keith is playing here. I am taking it to band rehearsals now to be ready for opportunities to solo with it. Why should only trumpet players have two or three horns around their seats???

[@raterus]

I remember playing this briefly in high school, I always remembered it because of the three spit valves all lined up in the front.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Very unique indeed!

[@jamesclose7293]

Great informative video. I played one just like that in 1981 and 82. Since they are not made any more what would be the replacement for the king 1130. I am thinking of getting one or something that plays the same. Any suggestions. Thanks

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

A Valve Trombone might work

[@ResidentialGondola]

Didn’t expect hearing Das Rheingold, I’ll be honest. But I LOVED it!

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

I wanted to demo a bit of orchestral lit as the flugabone is touted by some as a bass trumpet substitute; I don’t think it would fly in higher-end groups but with the right player and approach I think it has some legs!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

This is that Valve Trombone sound that Juan Tizol was known for when he played with Duke Ellington and his Jazz Orchestra.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

It really sounds amazing as a Solo instrument

[@randyknisely8979]

I've got a Blessing, bass tpt, flug, etc, it used to be Al Greys (basie), it is good in the mid and upper range but kind of stuffy in the lower, especially 23, 13 and 123, also is sharp in that range but plays pretty intune in the other areas especially if some alternate fingerings are used, not sure what bore it is, probably 500 or lower, thanks for the vidio!

[@ceomindsetcoach]

Loved your demonstration. I have been wanting to pick up the trombone again after many years. I played baritone as well and looked into the marching Bb baritone at first, but it doesn't seem to have the tone I would want, plus it had a huge bell that gave me the impression it can be super loud. The flugabone is what I'm looking for. Never heard of it until today. Amazing. I want it for jazz specifically and this will work. Thanks for sharing. Question I have, is what type of mute can you use for this that fits. A bass trombone mute? Curious because I will need one or my neighbors would kill me. Lol

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for watching! One of the reasons I love the King flugabone is that with it’s 8 1/2” bell most tenor trombone mutes fit it well. If you are specifically looking for a practice mute I use both the Yamaha Silent Brass and tenor Sshhmute with it and they work beautifully! Feel free to contact me directly at [e-mail] any time if I can help with anything else; thanks again for watching and commenting!

[@TnSn5]

How does that differ from a marching baritone?

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Many modern marching baritones (although not all) tend to have larger bore sizes (anywhere from .530" to .560"+) and many of them have large-shank mouthpiece receivers, as well as having more open tubing wraps and larger bells with wider tapers (they typically have 10" bells); all of this is really designed to put a maximum available amount of volume out on the field. The older marching trombone/flugabone design is typically smaller, more compact, and has a more efficient blow and response with a warmer and more complex timbre...

[@smholgate]

Yeah. I would take one of those. Nice playing, as usual.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for watching!

[@smholgate]

@@SchmittMusicTromboneShop Thoughts on the Lake City 415 Flugabone? Is there a video?

[@sangreactivarecords1068]

What key is this flugabone? Sounds like a valve trombone b plat

[@denysreis90]

Keith, o flugabone toca soa como o king 3b de válvulas?

[@iloveyoubebe]

Excellent review! I want one of these so bad

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

We are actually working on a flugabone project at the moment; stay tuned for more info...🙂

[@iloveyoubebe]

♥️🙏🎺

[@Red-fu4li]

Hi Keith! Do you think you could do a review on the Yamaha 350c is you get the chance? I know it’s a student trombone but the more compact style with the 2 position trigger was always fascinating to me.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

The 350C is really an interesting concept, isn't it? I have never had the change to put hands on one (or seen one in person) but it is vaguely reminiscent of certain horns with ascending valves. It's a clever solution from Yamaha (one wonders if european-inspired) and if I ever run across one I will absolutely do a video with it!

[@wagnerpereira9341]

Tem algum material para o trombone de marcha ?

[@sammieseoul5544]

that sounds really nice.

[@RockiesFan83]

How does the weight of a Flugabone compare to the weight of a marching baritone? Is it similar, lighter?

[@franklee1550]

Had one years ago and sadly I sold it. Does king have plans to remake it? How does it compare to the Olds? Been looking for one for a while.

[@bonemack]

Agreed with review. I feel you get the best of a King Diplomat baritone (easier blow) and a King Trombone (edgy, trombone sound).

[@yahbarrahyisrael1921]

Man, you made that sound EASY to play!!!

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for watching!

[@duckboi3362]

Just got one of these bad boys, any idea if trumpet parts ie a leather valve wrap, finger tops, rings etc would fit on it?

[@Heimdall1015]

So I play this for my middle....I'm a freshmen now... my high school band and it was extremely common for my director to give me tennor sax music because I knew both bass and treble clef but now it's mostly baritone music

[@MaurizioDBazzardi]

hi, what size mouthpiece do you use for trombone marching? because I have one but it doesn't sound good thanks

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

It depends a great deal on the mouthpiece and instrument you are using now, how long you have been playing, other playing you are doing, etc; do you have any other specifics?

[@MaurizioDBazzardi]

@@SchmittMusicTromboneShop hello, I started playing the trombone after 30 years, today I've been playing for 4 months, I bought a marching trombone to play in a band, but the instrument with a denis wick 5bs or 6.5 al mouthpiece, sounds like if it had any lack of sound. The sound is not clean. they told me to use a mouthpiece with a smaller chamber, what do you think? Thanks for the reply.

[@sceu25]

Nice double f! I assume the small and cylindrical bore makes it much easier in the high range.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Easier is all relative; I find I have better access to that register on this instrument as compared to euphonium but it still takes more effort then on small-bore tenor...

[@jazzbariman]

I have a question about this instrument. Is it in Bb? Could you use the same fingers n Treble Clef and Bass Clef like you do with Baritone Horn? Or does this use a different fundamental? Loved the sound you got on this. The jazz stuff killed.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

It is indeed in Bb, same register as trombone/baritone. It has definitely been making me work on my valve technique (which is good, because my technique needs the work!)

[@mikelevitz1266]

Nice. sounds like bass trumpet. Could work easily in symphony or band. He is a good player. Great sound for a jazz band. Nothing compares to the sound of trombone, tenor sax, and trumpet in original jazz crusaders. Mellow yellow.

[@WiterallyAce]

I love the flugabone istg

[@Billybillybillyrocking]

Who are some retailers that I can look at to get this? Wessex has a flugabone that is pre order for next year, but id love a king. Is it just something you search the internet for until you find one eventually?

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

As you say there are not a lot of reliable resources for flugabones. I was very lucky to find my King on eBay (there are actually a few Kings on there as of this comment) but even there the recent surge in interest has driven up the prices a bit. The recent demand has piqued my interest in finding a better resource for flugabones; I will certainly let folks know if we hit upon a solution!

[@bonemack]

I second the observation on price. Three years ago, I was able to get three for under $500, each in playing condition. I’ve sold all but one since.

[@mwturfgrass1288]

What’s the difference between the king 1122 and 1130?

[@raymondfallon7429]

I looked at the Schmitt site and couldn't find this horn for sale. Is it already gone? I've been searching eBay for a decent one for a year or so with no luck.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

This one is actually mine! I also had been searching and found one (on eBay as it happens) for a bit of a steal. I’d like to tell you I’d sell it to you for the right price but I am kind of in love with it right now...

[@raymondfallon7429]

@@SchmittMusicTromboneShop you probably outbid me for it.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

With no gig income right now I doubt it ;)

[@raymondfallon7429]

@@SchmittMusicTromboneShop I hear you... I was already retired when I bought the Shires bass from you. That was from my final annual performance bonus. Those days are GONE!

[@anthonygonzalez6422]

Have you played a Bach bass trumpet? If so, which instrument plays better the flugabone or the bass trumpet? Factors im concerned with are intonation, centering and lower register. Thanks

[@Juan_Bone09]

The flugabone is a larger bore instrument than bass trumpet The bass register is better with that

[@sandramilenaibarraarenas8015]

the bore is the same of the king 606 , yamaha ysl-354 or jinbao jbsl-700.... what's the number of the bell??

[@Bryn_Raschaul]

I’m a composer and brass musician (primarily slide trombonist). Would you consider this brand and model good for jazz? I wanted to start playing mellophone, but repertoire for that is scarce and they’re notoriously out of tune. I thought about bass trumpet or baritone but I’m thinking transitioning to just a valved trombone would be better.

[@victortorresosorio33]

Que precio tiene estén king 1130 ???

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

They are unfortunately not in production any longer; pricing on used 1130s seems to be anywhere from $500 to $1500 depending on condition…

[@2539ali]

I play a Kanstul, I love it!

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Excellent; I have never had a chance to play one but I have always heard good things!

[@mictlantecuhtlinahui2615]

@@SchmittMusicTromboneShop Question!, would that marching trombone fit in a triple trumpet gig bag, maybe the marching trombone and a trumpet? I want to buy a good quality gig bag for my Kanstul, but the only one I have known about is the Glen Cronkhite, the problem is they are expensive and they don't accept returns, and my emails about the dimensions of the interior of the bag were never answered, they have bad costumer service.

[@raulomargarcia]

Well done Keith

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thank you very much!

[@jorymil]

Okay. Need to get one of these. I'm sure I can find something to sell.

[@森野熊五郎]

Very Good! 😄

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks! 😄

[@4rtur0]

What's the difference between Flugabone and Bass Trumpet?

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

The biggest differences are bore size and wrap. Bass trumpets are very often in the .470-.490" range; combined with a trumpet-style wrap and a more conical design they tend to be more directional but also need a more focused, trumpet-type air approach to play well (which I have struggled with on bass trumpets in the past.) In comparison the King flugabone is a larger .500" bore and much more flugel-like in design, meaning that it naturally has more warmth to it's sound; I find it to feel and respond like a good valve trombone but with more warmth and color (although I can brighten the sound to an extent with the right approach and mouthpiece...)

[@zeldemalevitz4996]

I dig this!

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks Zelde! I hope everything is well! A funny note given our recent conversations: the only folks who make a gig bag specifically for flugabone are Cronkhite. I want to order one but, well, you know.... ;)

[@THIAGO-gc9ff]

Somm lindo de mais toca muito bemm

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for the comment !

[@franklee1550]

Years ago I had a King flugabone and like an idiot I sold it. I recently got a Kanstul flugabone in brand new condition with a red brass bell and I have to say, it’s as good, if not better than the King.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

The Kanstul version is one of the few I have not gotten to play; I would love to put hands on one sometime!

[@erniearruda8861]

You missed another brand name on the boneaphone ( that’s what I call it) Mercedes II by Bach back in the late seventies.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for catching this! I haven't had the opportunity to experience the Mercedes marching trombone but I have certainly seen references to it. Have you had experience with this model? I would love to hear more about how it played!

[@erniearruda8861]

Schmitt Music Trombone Shop I did play one and repair it. (I’m also a brass repair technician in Kitchener Ontario Canada 🇨🇦) I found a bit stuffy and a bit of tuning issues. First and third slides were fixed to their position.had a fellow that own it and played it in my brass quintet and it sounded awful.he was a euphonium player so slide trombone was not his game.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for the info! I hope you are staying busy up north!

[@pebblebeach8517]

This reads from the base clef ?

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Yes, although a lot of low brass players end up learning to read music in treble clef, tenor clef, Bb treble clef, alto clef, etc. as well...

[@pebblebeach8517]

@@SchmittMusicTromboneShop so if I am playing with another regular trombone player we can both read from the same chart ? ( I read both base and treble so I can play from my b-flat treble books if I want to sole by myself?

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

That’s absolutely correct! Just as a thought we have our own flugabone we just introduced (you may have seen our announcement a few weeks ago); I really enjoy how it plays and we are trying to offer it at a great value!

[@pebblebeach8517]

@@SchmittMusicTromboneShop link ?

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

We have info on our website at shop.schmittmusic.com/lake-city-415-flugabone/. We also have an intro video at kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIXZgaaLmrWBa8k...

[@diazycano]

Suena a trombón no hay mucho que discutir

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Fair enough! Thanks for watching!

[@Augustinemelecio]

Nice Willie Colon!

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks! I’ve been trying to listen to more of his and Ruben Blades’ Fania work lately; so good!

[@giancarloburigo7953]

It's a marching trombone. Flugabone is a strange term for me, There are not similarities with flugelhorn construction, just visual. Indeed It's a Very good instrument and good sound.

[@gdotone1]

this horns sounds a lot better than the lake city, well to me.

[@ibungjm]

💛

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for watching!

[@denysreis90]

++++ vídeos flugabone

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

I will see what I can do; I am certainly still playing mine enough! Thanks for watching!

[@JL-bu8bz]

All this flugabone sounds like a student trombone playing by an student musician. There are no sustein and few low harmonics. Maybe using a heavy mounthpiece can Sound better. But to but in a bag and play gigs its can be useful.

[@gkaji6254]

Even though you're so terrible and not selling it I still gave this video a like. Lol.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thank you for that! On the plus side I think there are more flugabones out there if one were to keep looking; I chanced into mine on eBay one night but if you look through the "Sold" listings they come up fairly frequently...

[@raulomargarcia]

Idilio

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

A classic! I need to dig into Willie's (and some of the other great players of the eras') catalogs and learn some more of their bass trumpet literature!

[@directcurrent5751]

Superior to the King 1122, which is awfully bad solo sound.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

I have never had the chance to play the 1122; what’s different in the experience?

[@Potter5416]

There is no such thing as a marching trombone.

[@jazzbariman]

Yeah. There is. My brother played one back in the 1980s with the Phantom Regiment. Also take at look here: www.kanstul.com/instruments/marching-brass/955-bb-marching-trombone/

[@raymondfallon7429]

@@jazzbariman I have always loved Phantom's low brass sound. Always.