[Trombone-l] Is the Blessing Large bore still a good horn?

[Daryl Burch]

When I was shopping for my college horn, I spent a couple of hours at Lentine’s Music in Akron, OH, trying out their wall of trombones. Landed on the Blessing B88 with F and rose brass bell. Absolutely loved the way it played. And almost bought it. But in the back of my head was all my teachers chiming in saying “If you’re serious about playing trombone, you gotta get a Bach 42B.” (Which was +$500 more.) 

I caved and bought the Bach. 

Then, I get to my 1st lesson at Cincinnati with Tony Chipurn. And the 1st thing he says is…. “Huh. You shoulda bought a Conn 88H.” DOH!! 🤦‍♂️

Played the Bach for +30yrs and never really liked my sound on it. And upper register was always stuffy/challenging. 

Until recently, when on a visit to Nashville, I tried/bought a JP Rath. And have been loving it!

Lesson: Like wine, go for the one _you_ like.

-D-


> On Oct 19, 2023, at 3:32 PM, Raymond Horton via Trombone-l <trombone-l at trombonelist.org> wrote:
> 
> Back in the 90s or so, when I had a bunch of students buying large bore trim bones w F attachment, I remember feeling that the Blessing was about 90% of the quality of the Bach 42B for about 55% of the price. Is it still true?
> 
> Raymond Horton
> Composer/Arranger 
> Minister of Music, 
> Edwardsville (IN) United Methodist Church
> Retired Bass Trombonist,
> Louisville Orchestra, 1970-2016
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