Jimmy Bosch
We're extremely happy to announce that another fantastic trombonist and musician, Jimmy Bosch, is now playing a Rath trombone.
Jimmy is one of the leading salsa players and we're delighted that he's joining the ever-growing Rath family around the world, including the eqaully fantastic Conrad Herwig.
You can find out more about Jimmy on his website jimmyboschmusic.com and you can get more information on Jimmy's new Rath R2 setup on our artists' page.
Rath email newsletter
Are you signed up on our email newsletter? We have some very interesting things planned for this over the next few months, so if you're not then please do sign up here.
Posted 24/03/2011
New hand support design
Since we introduced the first Rath hand support it's helped thousands of trombonists worldwide overcome physical problems holding their instrument.
Now we have a new version which gives improved support, whilst at the same time being more secure, easier to fit and easier to adjust.
You can get more information about the Rath hand support here. For fitting instructions for the new hand support please have a look at the hand support assembly page.
Posted 14/03/2011
Rotax valve option now available
We're very pleased to announce that Rotax valves will be an option on our trombones starting in February. The Rotax valve design is very well-designed and machined and works extremely consistently with our trombones, giving very good projection, focus and response.
The first Rath trombones will be available shortly both directly from us and from our other dealers worldwide. They will also be at the TMEA conference in February on the Brook Mays stand and also at the ETW and ITF shows later this year.
Brook Mays are new Rath dealer in Texas
Brook Mays, the well known Texas instrument company, are the latest addition to our worldwide dealer network. We've been looking for the ideal company for the southern region of the US for some time, and we're very pleased that they're as enthusiastic about Rath trombones as we are!
Mick will be in Texas for the TMEA convention with Brook Mays in February and he'll also be visiting various universities and colleges during his visit.
Brook Mays stand at TMEA will have the new R11K alto, as well as an R90 contrabass as well as the usual selection of Rath trombones, mouthpieces and accessories.
For more details please contact us or Brian Davis at Brook Mays Music, phone (972) 233-9633, or email briandavis@brookmays.com
Rath R11 Alto Trombone
We're delighted to say that our new Rath alto trombone, the R11 is available now!
It's been a long time in coming but we're very pleased with it and the response that we've had from everyone who has tried it has been fantastic.
All of the details about specifications and options are on our R11 Alto page.
Want to test the new R11 alto? Please get in touch with Chris on 01484 660555 or by emailing chris.beaumont@rathtrombones.com.
Bronze leadpipes now available
If you're looking to add some core, depth and warmth to your sound then one of our new bronze leadpipes may just be what you're looking for.
They're great for orchestral tenor and bass trombonists but they also work very well on the smaller tenor trombones too, particularly if you are looking to add some core to a bright, direct sound.
Reggie Watkins is now playing Rath
At the recent ITF, Mick was able to meet up with US trombone star Reggie Watkins. Reggie had been interested in Rath trombones for a few years, but it wasn't until we were able to meet up in Austin that we were able to set up Reggie with his own R2.
Reggie was the musical director for Maynard Ferguson for many years and has also performed with many musical greats including Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, Arturo Sandoval, Slide Hampton, Dianne Schuur, Jose Feliciano, Urbie Green, Christian Castro, The Temptations, The Ojays, James Moody, Benny Green, Michael Feinstein, Poogie Bell, Roger Humphries, and Denis DiBlasio.
It's great to have Reggie playing his R2 and we're really excited to be working with him.
For more information on Reggie, including details of his tour with Jason Mraz, visit Reggie's website.
Introducing the new JP/Rath Bb/F tenor student trombones
We're delighted to be able to introduce the latest additions to our student trombones range, the JP331/Rath and JP332/Rath Bb/F tenor trombones.
Since we launched our first student trombone, the JP/Rath 231 last year, we have been inundated with requests from players and teachers worldwide for student Bb/F tenors in both medium-large and large bore.
The initial feedback on the new models has been fantastic, and we're sure that these are going to be as successful as the earlier models.
If you're lucky enough to be at the ITF in Austin, Texas this week you can be among the first to get your hands on the new trombones.
For more information, specifications and images go through to our student trombone area.
The new JP331/Rath and JP332/Rath Bb/F tenor trombones will be available from September 1st, priced at just £699 inc. vat for UK customers. They'll be available directly from us or from your Rath distributor.
Michael Rath Trombones on Facebook
Now there's a new way to keep in touch with everything that's going on in the Rath trombone world. Our new Facebook page has the very latest news, photos, videos and other features.
We'll also be running some very special "Facebook-only" offers, so make sure you sign up!
You can also find us on Twitter here.
Visiting Rath
If you're planning to visit us to test and setup your Rath trombone, please have a look at the new "Visiting Us" page for lots of useful information.
The Ultimate Custom Finish
We're delighted to be able to offer the opportunity for you to add a completely custom, unique finish to your trombone.
Artist Andrew Matthews produced this highly detailed, intricate engraving on an R4 bell flare as an example of the way that you can make your Rath trombone something even more personal.
This can be something as straightforward as adding your name to the bell flare, or something much more complex. There's really no limit on what can be achieved!
For more images of the bell, please visit our Flickr gallery. If you'd like more information on a personal custom finish like this one please contact us.
Carol Jarvis - "Smile"
Carol Jarvis is one of those musicians for whom "versatile" doesn't even come close to covering what she does.
She performs regularly with all of the 
major UK orchestras as well as touring with Sting, Michael Bolton and Seal.
In October 2004 Carol, aged 26, was diagnosed with stage 2a Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which she's still battling.
To raise money for Macmillan Cancer Research she put together a selection of some of London's best session players to record "Smile", her first solo album.
It features a mix of standards and original compositions written especially for the CD, but above all some superlative playing.
Add a cover portrait painted by none other than Rolf Harris and you really have something very special.
You can get your copy of "Smile" here and as well as some great music, you can also help support a very worthwhile cause at the same time.
Visit Carol's website at caroljarvis.com and follow her on Twitter @jarvbone
Unique instruments
When Bruce Collings came to see us in November 2009, 
he was looking for something a little more than just a new R4F.
Bruce is part of Musik Fabrik, a contemporary music group based in Germany, where Marco Blaauw, the ensemble's trumpet player had been using a double belled trumpet for some time.
Bruce was keen to try this concept on a trombone and we were happy to put this together for him.
The second bell is actually our alto sackbut design, 
which gives a great contrast between the two bell flares. You can also use regular trumpet mutes with the sackbut bell as well, giving Bruce lots more possibilties.
The second bell fits into the valve wrap and can be used with a rounded crook which brings the second bell round to the front of the trombone, or a straight crook which takes the second bell straight out behind Bruce!
It gives a whole new meaning to antiphonal playing!
Projects like this can be challenging, but a lot of fun at the same time. If you have something that's a little out of the ordinary, why don't you contact us about it?
You can see more photos of Bruce and his double belled R4F on our Flickr gallery.
John Rojak - "I plan on playing my new Rath bass trombone for the next 30 years"
We're fortunate to work with some oustanding musicians; none more so than American bass trombonist John Rojak. Anyone who has heard John play can testify to his outstanding musicianship and after 32 years playing the same bass trombone we were delighted to help him find his new instrument.
Visit John's page in our Artists section here.
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