The R12 comes with a 7 1/2" bell as standard, though it can be offered with an 8" bell.

Michael Rath Custom Trombone bell flares offer a wide range of tonal characteristics, each material giving a variety and flexibility of sound. They are available in yellow brass (70% copper, 30% zinc), gold brass (85% copper, 15% zinc), red brass (90% copper, 10% zinc) and nickel silver.

The higher the copper content in the material, the darker and warmer the sound. For example, the gold and red brass are more consistent in tone than yellow brass. However yellow brass is more flexible in terms of sound than gold and red.

Nickel silver bells tend to produce a very clear sound, and have a more focussed sound and feel than a brass bell, but without becoming excessively bright.

When coupled with the right main slide, tuning slide and leadpipe, nickel bells can also sound dark, full and resonant, particularly on our bass trombones.

All Michael Rath bells are constructed in two pieces, a flare and a spout, allowing us to select the most appropriate gauge (or material thickness) for the bell flare and spout independently. They are produced entirely by hand in our workshop and are finished in clear lacquer as standard, although various other finishes are available.

Bell flares are stamped with the specification indicating the type and gauge of material used. For example, a bell stamped “750R” is made from red brass (R); with a flare gauge of 0.7mm and a spout gauge of 0.5mm.

The Rath R12 features a 0.481"/0.491" dual bore slide.

Michael Rath slides are available in three different materials for the outer slide: yellow brass, bronze and nickel silver.

A nickel silver slide allows a more articulate, brighter sound than yellow brass or bronze and it can also feel more open on some component combinations. A bronze slide typically sounds darker and feels more centred. Yellow brass slides sit in between nickel silver and bronze in terms of their tonal characteristics and feel.

Michael Rath slides feature dual radius nickel slide bows and an interchangeable leadpipe system. The connection, slide to bell section, has a locking system unique to our instruments.

The advantage of this system over a regular screw fitting is that the slide matches directly to the gooseneck, without any step in the bore.

Tuning slides for the Rath R12 are available in four different materials: yellow, gold and red brass, and nickel silver. They all have a dual radius design.

Yellow brass and nickel silver tuning slides allow for clearer articulations than gold or red brass and can feel slightly more open. Gold and red brass tuning slides, on the other hand, are generally a better compliment to yellow brass bell flares.

The Rath R12 has a balance weight fitted as standard.

The Rath R12 is available with a Voigt open wrap valve section.

Valve wrap tubing bore size = .535" (13.589mm)

The majority of our Michael Rath instruments are supplied highly polished with a thin clear lacquer coating. We found that applying thicker coats of lacquer “deadens” the instrument, leading to it being unresponsive and dull. However, despite only having a thin coat of lacquer, proper care and maintenance will keep the instrument always looking at its best.

Other finishes are available, such as brushed lacquer, coloured lacquer or without a lacquer coating at all. These can be applied to individual parts or to a complete instrument, giving you the opportunity to create an instrument uniquely yours.

Choice of a leadpipe is an important factor in determining the sound, and particularly the response, of an instrument. Leadpipes are available for the R12 in four materials: brass, nickel silver, sterling silver and bronze, across three sizes.

The standard leadpipe for each trombone model is in brass, whilst nickel silver gives a more brilliant sound and silver a darker, denser sound quality.

Extensive research has shown that, for most players, the standard taper leadpipe in brass is the best solution.

However in addition to our standard leadpipe, we also have leadpipe options based on the standard taper that are more focused , “A”, or more open ,”B”.

It is important to bear in mind that a leadpipe should also be a suitable match not only for your trombone but also for your mouthpiece.

For a large cup mouthpiece you may find that a leadpipe with a more open taper and feel is preferable. A shallow cup may be better with a tighter more focused leadpipe. And if you are changing your mouthpiece, a change of leadpipe may also be appropriate.