The Rath R8 comes in a standard bell size of 9 1/2”, and can be offered with a screw rim bell flare.

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 (60% copper, 20% zinc and 20% nickel).

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.

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 can be ordered in standard, light and heavy weights. They 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 R8 comes with a yellow brass hand slide as standard.

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.

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 R8 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.

There are three valve options available for the Rath R8: the René Hagmann valve, the Willson Rotax valve and the Voigt valve.

Each valve has its own distinct playing characteristics. The Hagmann is designed to cause as little disruption to the airflow as possible and feels very open in the valve register, even through the pedal register. Heavy valve caps are available. These darken the sound and give an increased focus and centre.

The Rotax and Voigt valves are very similar in their playing characteristics and are ideal if you prefer slightly more playing resistance, which can help with projection and focus.

They are nowhere near as “stuffy” as a traditional rotary valve and the response on the valve is remarkably consistent when going from the open to the valve side of the trombone.

With the R8, Voigt and Rotax valves are made ‘pull to E’ as standard. (This is not available on a Hagmann valve).

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 Rath R8 in four materials: brass, nickel silver, sterling silver and bronze, across four 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.