The Wessex F Contrabass Trombone!

A review of the Wessex Contrabass Trombone in the key of F.
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[@cristiancaiola9588]

Can't wait for "I made a BIG mistake" pt. 2

[@Capricegirl_]

Too soon ;-;

[@zacharyregin9726]

Ikrrrrr

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

I’d like to hear a bass trombone, this thing, and a standard contra bass trombone all play the same passage on the same absolute pitches to hear the tone.

[@tristanperciful6609]

This is actually a standard contrabass nowadays, the BBb ones are too cumbersome so F is preferred typically

[@trombonimacaroni]

Me: I want a house Mom: Then save your money Me: I will Also me: oOh ShInY tHiNg BigGeR tHaN mY sHiNy ThInG

[@Xzyum00]

Please... NEVER EVER EVER do a drop test EVER... my heart can't take it! If it is absolutely necessary then do it with some SAI musical instruments...

[@felixplaystuba6937]

Wut it says posted 6 hours ago

[@caeljensen6688]

How six hours ago

[@felixplaystuba6937]

Cael Jensen you see it too?

[@Swaggussnaregopingpinghaha]

um what

[@joshuaellis2887]

King K Rool Patrons get early access to Trent’s videos

[@jakeycakes3502]

I got the semi-compact bass trombone a month ago and I love it to bits, these instruments are not cheaply made. I hope you can get more instruments from them in the future Trent!

[@DrFresh2777]

Remember your other contrabass trombone, plz be careful with this one😂

[@wetzles]

Make some multi-track videos. Trombone ensemble or chorals with bass trombones and contra like Ben Van Dijk.

[@aguynamednathan]

It has spikes on either end. For murder.

[@counterfit5]

Nathan McCartney Trombones don’t usually need the help

[@pellevanesch6606]

It's like an slightly shittier copy of thein, but now I can actualy buy a contra and a car.

[@bobcat24]

I like ur insight

[@jimmybarr9411]

Congratulations Trent, I’m so happ- DROP TEST!?!? Oh, whew, you had me worried there for a second haha. Anyway, congratulations on your new Contrabass Trombone lol

[@marten594]

It's a loan instrument, he said it at least once. Hence no drop test....

[@theblackbasketball]

Sees Contrabass trombone in the title *_Flashbacks_*

[@DancingSpacePotato]

I’ve been wanting to buy one of these forever! Since folks were talking about the newly formed Wessex on TTF. I talked with Wessex about things that could be customized when Jonathan was about to go to the factory again. I even tracked down someone to make a sturdier hand rest and some good options for a new leadpipe.

[@kypiper]

Hey, you should play solo pomposo (tuba version) on that horn btw.

[@aidenbagshaw5573]

The whole time I was wondering; what exactly is it you need to do to avoid serious injury? Perhaps not trying to hold a contrabass trombone in one hand and a tuba in the other?

[@TheMrAshley2010]

SO glad you did this review. A contra is a bucket list item for me. I think you touched on great key points. For those reading the comments, wondering about how a contra sounds vs a bass trombone vs other low instruments, search youtube for this:Epic Low Brass Game of Thrones Theme (Cover) . Contra sounds like a "trombone", but with more 'girth'. As opposed to a tuba playing the same exact pitch...which sounds like a tuba...more 'fluffy' - not trombone-like at all.

[@amyjensen9505]

My heart started beating faster when you said drop test....very funny

[@worcestershirey]

I was JUST looking to see if you've done any videos on Wessex instruments yesterday, and then you upload this. Absolute legend you are. So since you've gotten to play one, would you recommend the brand in general? Looking to get a flugelhorn or marching euphonium, but I'm not sure who any of the testimonials are, so I'm still on the fence.

[@Turt3752]

I got a Wessex Dolce and the tuning was good, everything looked fine. But the valves degraded extremely quickly and they stick constantly. I have a Yamaha Neo in the mail now and thank gods cuz I am literally unable to practice any technical studies.

[@blisles7626]

I've had good reports on the trombones from friends but the valved instruments not so much.

[@PeterGriffin-kb2hf]

There are many KZbinrs who sing praise for them. I don't know what they are doing for the pandemic but if you are near Chicago they have a showroom to try out their horns there.

[@iplaybadgames317]

@@Turt3752 i wonder if youve tried possibly different valve oil? im asking only because i may possible buy one.

[@joeervin1985]

I have an older Wessex Michigan 5/4 Bb that’s a copy of the Miraphone 1291. Playing it vs the 1291 my horn had a better core to the sound and easier pedal register, but the 4th valve is a bit stuffier. I also used to have to oil the valves a lot, but I had to do that on my MM euphonium and JP Sterling Eb was even worse, so it may be something common to the stainless steel valves the Chinese horns are using. Intonation is very good, much easier than older horns I’ve played. However mine was handpicked by Sam Gnagy out of a lineup of horns he tried, so I was lucky on mine. I’ve heard the newer ones are much more consistent.

[@PwntByEKS666]

I play a Wessex BBb contrabass, and it's great! Would definitely recommend Wessex

[@mr.starfish4965]

Where is it on the website? I don’t think it’s on the American site, and whenever I go to an international Wessex site it redirects me to the American one.

[@Graham_M]

Nice trombone! Don’t break it this time 😂

[@bobboscarato1313]

Better have good insurance! lol.

[@jaymian2257]

Awesome Ride of the Valkyries at the end!

[@loghbrass]

I've been waiting for this review forever thanks

[@frednich9603]

The hand pad is easily removable. I took mine off that horn when I owned it

[@3OrMoreBones]

10:14, was that a challenge to my tromboneship? Do I need to prove the might of the Helicopter Pedals?

[@jeannebouwman1970]

"the second trigger is a short stumpy one" is longer than the fourth valve on my euphonium

[@hectortorres4810]

A tonal comparison between your Bb Bass, G Bass, F Contrabass, and Bb Contrabass as well as your thoughts on the uses of each in ensembles would be fantastic

[@captainmilkman]

Apparently the back of the hand is called the "Opisthenar". I can't imagine anyone actually calling it that in a conversation, and apparently neither can my spell checker.

[@Dj-re6kv]

This is super cool! i’m a bass trombonist and one thing that caught my eye were the transpositions via the trigger and it seems that it plays in the exact same keys as a bass trombone except the Bb is down an octave and when you use both you get an Ab series. Beautifully designed instrument i’d love the opportunity to play one of these some day!

[@joshuamorehead6124]

"Now time for a drop test" 🤣😂

[@marten594]

... still waiting for the drop test... 🤣

[@mahteef]

Ion even play the tromptboner but I appreciate this review irregardless

[@ralphrandelbalbin2049]

I heavily Laughed at that Drop Test

[@TheMrAshley2010]

Trent for the win!

[@angelo_catalano]

Nice peanut vendor intro, reminds me of that youtube video with the trombone choir

[@yrismorenohorn8515]

Hey! Your videos are amazing! Thanks for sharing them...

[@TrentHamilton]

Thank you!

[@arisowizard7178]

could you show a comparison how this instrument tunes in "b-flat mode" (with the 2nd valve mashed)?😁

[@waynesteffen8459]

That knob and water key look pretty pointy. Watch out percussionists and, in my band anyway, horn players!

[@GenGrey20]

Would you be able or interested in doing the peanut vendor song since you have the horns for it?

[@mal2ksc]

It would be neat if the bell section could take a piston valve cluster. Then you could use this as a cimbasso, although it wouldn't look like one.

[@JonathanHarker]

Thein made one for Paris Opera, a convertible contrabass trombone and cimbasso in F, sharing the bell section. Probably cost a bomb though thein-blechblasinstrumente.de/09-01-cimbasso.php

[@gigabyte2248]

Yes! Thank you, I feel so vindicated about ultra-low register! I've been hypothesising for years that the ultra-low register is like the ultra-high register, in that changing instrument doesn't get you any more notes, it just changes the tone colour. My lowest note on Eb tuba is a concert pitch F0 (or, at least, it was before COVID), and that's also my lowest note on Bb tuba. Also, Trent, you have some impressive low register yourself. My bass trombone playing is nothing to write home about, but I struggle to get lower than a pedal G. If I ever get my hands on a contrabass trombone, you can bet I'll be putting a big mouthpiece in it.

[@maxalain9948]

Contrabass trombones are the coolest instruments on the face of the Earth bar none

[@Bubbles-ij7vq]

Next vid possibly f contrabass vs bb contrabass

[@PebProductions46]

How does this instrument compare to tuba in regards to embouchure / chops?

[@ryanschneider3700]

Considering that a tuba mouthpiece will fit in the receiver/lead pipe, I can imagine it wouldn't be much different if at all.

[@bgraese2110]

Barely a difference. The contrabass mouthpieces are around the size of a smaller F Tuba mouthpiece and I don’t recommend going any bigger. Any bigger and the instrument plays super flat, even with everything pushed in all the way. The big difference when playing a Contrabass Trombone instead of a Tuba is the pure lack of air resistance. It genuinely becomes an ab workout to play one for a full rehearsal.

[@johnries5593]

A slide tuba. I actually find that almost appealing enough to learn how to play a slide trombone (my usual brass instrument is a baritone). I do like the sound of this instrument.

[@trexkiller3904]

In anatomy class we call the back of the hand the "dorsal hand".

[@brianweeks87]

A lovely instrument that I can sing along with! I love it! F1 for days bro! We should do a collab!

[@garyb8373]

F / D / Bb (/ Ab) contrabass trombone. Nice.

[@denfinch5694]

I've been a conventional bass trombone player for decades and a couple of years ago, bought a Yamaha Custom YBL 830 Xeno open wrap double independent. Prior to that l had a Holton TR181 so I have loads of experience with two valves. This contrabass trombone l feel would be superfluous to my requirements and would be so difficult to play alongside my Yamaha. I wonder if you can really get used to playing both instruments successfully? Trent, I realise that you get on well with playing it but there again, you can play all brass instruments. Lastly, in what setting would you play this contrabass? Thank you and kind regards. Den Finch

[@Boricua-tn7ve]

Come on men! I was waiting for you to finish “Mani” with that lower ending.

[@hudsondonnell444]

Ohh! It I were only a teenager again and I got my hands on one of those. The flatulence I'd create!

[@lichitv1164]

"...they got the springs from a garage door somewhere..." hahahaha

[@hanj31]

I'm guessing this is pitched higher than a Bb contrabass trombone considering it has 2 triggers?

[@BernhardMichaelPlos]

very interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@zacharyforino]

How is the overall quality of these Wessex instruments?

[@pauls5745]

pretty much all China instruments are functional but sketchy as they begin to wear. slides and valves are not well-plated across all Chinese-made instruments so they have a limited lifespan. I have a Sterling French horn, beautiful really in black nickel finish, but the slides are not easy to remove, as if they are scraping metal off with each movement. any place that can use a thinner piece of metal, they do it. this is why Chinese instruments you see online are often 10x less than professional quality brand name instruments. they also save money by only quickly doing quality inspection on their products. my horn looks nice, it's new, but I see flaws in it's construction. they are functional, and an ok choice for school band programs

[@waynesteffen8459]

Trent-Could you weigh in on the build and materials quality of this horn? I have read that the quality of Wessex and John Packer instruments are superior to most of their Chinese-made cousins due to better quality control. Otherwise Paul S is generally correct. Thanks so much for reviewing a Wessex horn!

[@Rhakor]

I thing the quality of wessex instruments are awesome, played on a lot of their instruments on the "Musikmesse Frankfurt". Problem the instruments have, they are very very heavy.

[@ggarzagarcia]

Oh my goodness, I didn’t know Wessex is Chinese in origin. I was considering getting a soprano. I want to get something else now, since I want something more stable and long lasting.

[@Musibro3000]

I think I might actually learn how to make instruments par with Selmer just so I can sell them for like 200 dollars. If I do it by myself, sure the work load will be high, but at least I can give good instruments to people without them putting a second mortgage on the house

[@Revbone450]

Make sure you have a good grip on this one... :P

[@louismarlow53]

My Bb tenor trombone is by Wessex and it plays like a dream. Do you plan on buying from them at some point in future Trent?

[@kypiper]

Trent: Also do you have a problem with the slide not wanting to stay locked using the attachment screw? I had to use plumbers tape on the schiller.

[@jamesschwenk4329]

Like the sound very much. Quite like tuba. I have no idea what a trombone like this would cost. Do you know??

[@Jonathantuba]

Worth noting this is not the current Wessex contrabass trombone - it has been completely redesigned with regular rotary valves

[@TrentHamilton]

You are correct. I’d love to play the new one someday, and grab myself a cimbasso, but they’re both beyond my budget and spousal consent wouldn’t allow anyway!

[@bobboscarato1313]

@@TrentHamilton You don't want to annoy your mate ever!

[@musicalguy9]

Nice I wish i had a Contrabass trombone is it bigger than the G bass one I have 2 Bb Bass trombones and an Bb Tenor

[@kypiper]

What make of mouthpiece are you playing? Only one I can find that doesn't cost too much is a Bach. Its ok. Also finding a slide chart is hard to find, I had to make my own. Let me know if you want a copy of it. Overall, to me it feels more like a real bass trombone and has a great sound, but, more work, more air, and you do work out your arms and your hands get very tired. Do you have problems with the slide lock not wanting to stay unlocked and move around while playing?

[@JonathanHarker]

Steve Ferguson makes a 2A, a Larry Minick copy. You won't need anything else! (Assuming the smaller-than-tuba shank)

[@boecaj3731]

Hey Trend what does your shirt say?

[@nathanblackman1063]

If you know anyone with a wessex bass trombone in new zealand, can you do a review on it? The pbf 562 and/or pbf 565. Also you can compare the 562 to your 7b as they are very close design wise.

[@aidanchristensen1581]

Can you try a wessex triple horn or sackbut

[@iainmcneil969]

I have a Wessex bass sackbut. The proportions are right, but it's not very sacbutty being made in the modern style. For the price however it is excellent, it is a realy nice F bass trombone, and with a proper sacbut mouthpiece it can blend reasonably with rennaissance ensembles

[@paulkolodner2445]

I would like to know when the mating season for these beasts is. Do they whelp tenor trombones?

[@ngyongkiatbenny1659]

The opposite side of your palm is called a dorsum

[@zwad07]

Nice video!, These are really great trombones, I have some videos of how they sound in a trombone ensemble on my channel.

[@amandaharrold4246]

You tube back with the 12 views and 14 likes

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

As for your comment on range, what if you're primarily a tuba and euphonium player; would there be a more noticeable difference in low range between bass and contrabass trombone if you're already used to hitting contrabass BBb pedal tones? Similarly, would a cimbasso essentially be a valved contrabass trombone in tone?

[@bgraese2110]

Through my experience playing a Wessex F Contrabass, no there will not be much of a noticeable difference, even if your low range is already super solid. I have found that the biggest difference is the ease of which playing those notes becomes. Everything low feels wide open and relaxed with effectively no resistance from the horn itself. If you are getting sound out on a double pedal Bb already, it may feel a bit easier to play but you won’t be able to hold the note for any substantial amount of time without a lot of work.

[@karlfeuerstake916]

Cimbasso tends to have larger bore and bell than Contrabass Trombone, so the sound has more "projection." This usually means warmer, louder bass frequencies when played soft and a more broad, wide tone when played loud with that "chainsaw" bite.

[@jimbersneutrombo]

After having had one of these on loan, do you think they are worth the cost? Especially considering the exchange rate that Wessex applies when ordering online?

[@stefanhering9839]

How deep can u Play on your f contrabass trombone

[@williamenglish4632]

Man I can't stop laughing...

[@marycomiskey530]

What's that song that he played at the beginning?! I've been trying to find it and can't!

[@ultimatex455]

i thought my range would impove when i got my alto trombone but it did not

[@owensmith7530]

But the tone will be lighter and sweeter, which is what counts for an alto trombone.

[@adamzimmerman2464]

If you get the schilke 40B mouthpiece it works well for alto trombone (its the smallest tenor trombone mouthpiece in existence). I was using a bach 12c mouthpiece for my alto trombone before and I was really frustrated with it but the schilke 40B makes it a lot easier.

[@ultimatex455]

@@owensmith7530 i know its lovely. I want to get a contra because i think my range would improve but idk lot of money to see if can go lower than bass.

[@ultimatex455]

@@adamzimmerman2464 i play on a 7c thank you for the info

[@billc.9374]

It's the anti-palm!

[@kypiper]

BTW, what did you have to do to your valves to be what you wanted?

[@lapiswake6583]

I'd love a contrabass trom, if funds allow in the future. However, I don't see the point of an F contrabass trom, or a F tuba for that matter. Bb and Eb tubas are used in brass bands, Eb's are easy to read bass clef with if you're used to reading treble, and BBbs have that monster tone in the lower register, both fit into the standard brass band Bb/Eb pitching. And the C tuba you play the notes written in bass clef without any transposing or whatever. But F tubas aren't used in brass bands, you can do as much on an Eb as you can on an F, and I have no idea where I would start with reading bass clef on an F instrument. If I were to make my own brand of contrabass trom, it would be a scaled up bass trom. Independent triggers, 1st being down a perfect 4th, and 2nd being down a major 3rd, so you can easily switch between instruments without having to relearn how to use the trigger. And it would also be in Eb, so it fits in with brass bands better and is easier to read bass clef on. But since there is no Eb contrabass available, I would have to get a Bb contrabass instead.

[@HugoMak]

It's intended for use in orchestras and not really brass bands.

[@bobofthekerbals9797]

F is the most common tuba used for higher or less big tuba parts in orchestra

[@Markworth]

Yeah, F Tuba and Eb Tuba aren't used for the same things. Run of the mill F Tuba is smaller than the average Eb Tuba as most of time, you're expected to play lower on the Eb Tuba. Hence why they're so often called EEb Contrabass Tubas even though they're only in 13'Eb. Sure, you should be able to play the same music on it, but traditionally, it's different.

[@JonathanHarker]

It's not that hard to read music for an F contra in bass clef. The open slide is the same as your first valve on bass. The first contra valve is in D, which is the same as both valves on bass. So the only thing that's new is the odd note where you need both (low G and F#, mainly) and you're good to go.

[@owensmith7530]

I'm in the UK and I've played Eb and BBb bass in both brass bands and orchestras. The BBb not so much in orchestras, but they noticed the day I turned up with it. "Where did you get that sound from?" the conductor asked later. I found bass clef really hard work on the BBb bass though.

[@stubblyhead]

What is that six-valved, seven-belled contraption behind you? I don't recall seeing you talk about that one before.

[@sweetpotatoesarereallygood]

it’s in his video called the most perfect musical instrument

[@sweetpotatoesarereallygood]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmPHXmmJjpeIp8k

[@FirstnameLastname-et3wd]

can u do a play test of the wessex bass trombones please?

[@harrisonchiangmusic]

do models with handles on the slide exist?

[@owensmith7530]

G Trombones in the UK had handles on the slide, referred to as a "toilet brush handle". They're a thing of the past though.

[@NonTwinBrothers]

Trumpet man plays: Big ass trombone

[@mason11198]

He is a Euphonium Player, but yees, accurate title

[@timscofield8929]

Could you please give bore and bell diameter please. On all your instruments when you review them please.

[@mugencoreni7130]

I wonder if a Eb contrabass trombone is for me

[@andreasask6791]

And then there is the french horn. Mostly for lefties?

[@LargeJ]

Is there sheet music for your intro song anywhere for sale or pdf let me know!!

[@lerippletoe6893]

What a beauty of an instrument. Rumor has it Americans will receive another coronavirus stimulus check. Would you say this is worth buying or nah

[@richardkast9845]

dorsum palmaris is the term i think.

[@kickstand801]

I WANT IT!!!!!!!

[@GuapoStinky]

do you still have your last BBb one?

[@laneandfriendsmusic754]

Yes

[@GuapoStinky]

Oh okay thanks man

[@TheStickCollector]

Nice

[@willcorff]

How is the high range?

[@ruler255]

HEY

[@savagegoose5124]

Where did you buy it? Straight from wessex and how much roughly?

[@cregkly5444]

I am pretty sure it was bought in the UK. Source: I have "tried" to play this very trombone

[@JonathanHarker]

It was £1600 + VAT. It seemed irresponsible to leave it in the shop at that price. It's not perfect, but it's perfectly adequate to learn on and a tenth of the price of the van Dijk Thein it is modeled on. All I have to do now is convince opera conductors that it's a slide cimbasso so they'll let me play it in Verdi and Puccini pit gigs...

[@billmeistersinger5626]

Blat, blat, blat, pinched, blat, blat, blat

[@tubadylan]

What a fantastic instrument. I hope that you don’t drop it!

[@bwilliams463]

Slide tuba.

[@jp2024b]

7:05 I just cringed so hard "Lets do a drop test"

[@Bubbamacomb]

A bell bigger than my head... I’ll take 20.

[@FoleiCZ]

ContraBASS Trombone? Davie504 would be proud of you.

[@Bunzboy-th2jj]

he should buy a ophicleide

[@kevinpredom4573]

Thanks stop all the sexy talk. Hehe

[@psychtank8681]

A community inside joke, nice.