Early Trombone Equipment
Sources:
McGowan, “Friends and Relations: The Sackbut”
Woolf, Sackbut Solutions
Fisher, The Renaissance Sackbut and Its Use Today
Various online discussion groups, including “Trombone List”
Finke (Vlotho, Germany)
Alto—\$2,700
Tenor—\$2,450
Bass—\$3,450
Notes: Doesn’t appear to be a common make. Can’t find much outside info about these instruments.
Markus Leuteher (Aachen, Germany)
Alto—\$2,680 (+ shipping/fees from Germany)
Tenor—\$2,900 (+ shipping/fees from Germany)
Bass—\$3,790 (+ shipping/fees from Germany)
Notes: Got prices by email from company. Woolf: “Relatively new maker. He builds good quality instruments, which are becoming increasingly popular, although currently does not offer such a wide choice of models as other makers.”
Egger (Basel, Switzerland; US dealer: Antique Sound Workshop—MA)
Alto—\$4,310
Tenor—\$4,500
Bass—\$6,680
Notes: Has a US dealer. Appears to be a long-standing company and the most common make on the market. McGowan: “These instruments are highly regarded by professionals in the UK and can be heard in the sackbut sections of all British Renaissance and Baroque ensembles.” Woolf: “One of the most established makers, whose range of instruments have been played for years by many top players.”
Geert Jan Van der Heide (Putten, The Netherlands)
Alto—\$4,970
Tenor—\$5,430
Bass—\$8,630
Notes: Got prices by email from company. Woolf doesn’t say much about these instruments, other than the fact that the company also makes mouthpieces that are “currently used by nearly all leading specialist players.” They appear to be very close copies of museum instruments.
Ewald Meinl (Geretsried, Germany; US dealer: Antique Sound Workshop—MA)
Alto—\$5,415
Tenor—\$5,570
Bass—\$8,060
Notes: Has a US dealer. McGowan: “The British quality sackbut market used to be dominated by the beautifully decorated instruments of Meinl und Lauber….They have become less popular with British players since cheaper alternatives have become available (most notably the instruments by Frank Tomes and by Egger).” Woolf: “Makes a range of high quality sackbuts which are responsive throughout the whole range of the instrument. They are used by many leading sackbut players and perhaps offer the best combination of sound quality and ease of playing.”
Thein (Bremen, Germany)
Alto—\$13,612
Tenor—\$15,065
Bass—\$15,251
Notes: Probably the most expensive maker. Meticulous historical reconstructions. McGowan: “The reproduction they made of the exquisite Schnitzer (1579) in Verona is breathtaking, as is the price tag on such an instrument.”
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