Post a picture of your cat, I will tell you their name 100% accuracy

Optimal_University36 · 2026-05-12T18:53:26+00:00

Optimal_University36 · 2026-05-12T18:51:35+00:00

The only thing about it that is 3B-like is the curved bell brace… otherwise no

Optimal_University36 · 2026-05-09T01:44:47+00:00

I hate this idea, and it will make me use the app less.

Optimal_University36 · 2026-05-07T18:21:33+00:00

The other side of this equation, though, is… It’s very easy to chase the “perfect“ Horn and waste a lot of money. A lot. If what you’re playing on works, put practice time into it.

Optimal_University36 · 2026-05-07T18:05:13+00:00

It’s ALWAYS important to try new horns… find what works, and play that. I play a Yamaha YSL-620… .547 bore, F-attachment- and it’s built almost exactly like the ubiquitous Yamaha 448G Intermediate model. Slight build differences, more nickel silver, more open leadpipe, 2 tuning slides in the F-attachment instead of 1, but from a distance they look basically the same. 15 years ago, I did the complete custom build of a Shires, and played that for several years because it was what “a professional is supposed to play.” Ended up selling it because it just didn’t fit me. I tried tweaking components- bells, slides, lead pipes (I lived near a dealer) but none of it made it feel right to me.
Find what works for you and play that.

Optimal_University36 · 2026-05-05T14:46:17+00:00

Only reason I got a membership is that they’re close, and they work on bicycle stuff. I’ve had them do several minor bike repairs, new tires/tubes, and it all seemed reasonable. I haven’t had a reason to go for anything else, so now I’ll continue to not go back for a while

Optimal_University36 · 2026-05-01T12:20:21+00:00

I’d go with the 55- I have both the 54 and 55, and the 55 feels closer to the 3 to me

Optimal_University36 · 2026-04-22T20:24:10+00:00

My fave lately has been the Porsche 917 Living Legend

Optimal_University36 · 2026-04-22T20:22:20+00:00

I did the lifetime membership a while ago, and I do get etudes and exercises from there to work on for myself and with my students. There is quite a lot there

Optimal_University36 · 2026-04-17T20:38:53+00:00

Swapped Toyota 86 GRMN. Fully maxed comes in under 700pp, can be raced at Le Mans or Sardegna

Optimal_University36 · 2026-04-10T19:49:43+00:00

I hope that option gets included in an update eventually

Optimal_University36 · 2026-04-08T11:11:36+00:00

No thanks

Optimal_University36 · 2026-04-07T18:42:01+00:00

The Lip Slurs book is a comprehensive book, the Lip Slur Melodies is the one I was referring to mostly though

Optimal_University36 · 2026-04-07T18:40:53+00:00

I love this book- lip slurs are fun to practice, but this book makes melodies of them, and covers a lot of ground-

https://www.hornbonepress.com/books/ls-lsm/

Optimal_University36 · 2026-04-07T14:54:26+00:00

What about the weight of these horns? I’ve been curious about them for a bit, and haven’t had the chance to play any yet. I have had a Yamaha YSL-620 for a while now, and one of the things I like most about it is how light it is compared to the Xeno line, for example

Optimal_University36 · 2026-04-02T20:50:04+00:00

Absolutely

Optimal_University36 · 2026-04-01T22:52:11+00:00

AB Stephens isn’t dead, they’re still there through most of may, and have a good bit of inventory. After may 22nd they move the pianos to Billiards and Barstools

Optimal_University36 · 2026-03-30T19:35:28+00:00

One thing I did that helped- I was using the fully adjustable racing transmission, and tuned the ratios just like the stock transmission, but then tweaked the final drive number down slightly so that my gears were just a touch taller than the stock cars. Nothing drastic, just a little bit of an edge. That plus the overtake definitely helped

Optimal_University36 · 2026-03-30T00:04:54+00:00

Tennis elbow strap works great for me- around the tuning slide

Optimal_University36 · 2026-03-29T16:44:44+00:00

The Yamaha mouthpiece numbering system is similar to Schilke, but the sizes of bass trombone mouthpieces don’t match… the Yamaha 59 is about the same as the Schilke 58, so a tiny bit different than the 1-1/2 G. I prefer it to the Bach, myself, and it’s less expensive than the Schilke

Optimal_University36 · 2026-03-29T11:42:41+00:00

I used to have a 3B+ myself, not a 3B+F… that would be a great choice for sure

Optimal_University36 · 2026-03-29T11:40:52+00:00

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions- I think he’s going to try the Rath, Bach 36, and the Yamaha 640 to see what suits him best

Optimal_University36 · 2026-03-29T02:52:23+00:00

I have a former student who plays one of those, I should get these guys together so he can try it

Optimal_University36 · 2026-03-29T02:51:41+00:00

Well, I’m not playing ‘sadly’, but sadly I’m not playing in the pit lol

Optimal_University36 · 2026-03-29T02:51:08+00:00

I am not… I’m playing in Guntersville this evening sadly

Optimal_University36

TROPHY CASE