Alto Trombone A265
The alto trombone can easily be overlooked as a luxury for trombonists. After all, the parts designated "alto trombone" can be performed on small (and even large) bore instruments. However, the timbre achieved with those instruments is never quite right and the composer's intentions may be compromised. Since Edwards does not like to compromise, we offer the A265 Alto Trombone, an instrument that brings together old-world sound concepts with modern construction techniques.
Our 7¾ bell flares are available in a variety of gauges and tempers with soldered or unsoldered rims. In addition, you may choose either yellow or red brass with a clear lacquer finish. Our unsoldered red brass bells, particularly the A175CF, have become very popular over the past few years. These bells can help a player produce a beautiful clear sound with overtones that sparkle.
The A265 slides are available in a .500" single bore with nickel or yellow brass outer slide tubes. As always, the slides use our interchangeable leadpipe system and come with three brass leadpipes. For those customers that visit Elkhorn for a custom fitting, custom leadpipe options are available.
Edwards offers both yellow and red tuning slides. We have found that offsetting the tuning slide and bell alloys has a profound impact on our horns. In other words, if you choose a red bell, we usually recommend a yellow tuning slide and vice versa. However, this is a not a hard and fast rule; every player is unique and some will sound best with matched components.
Standard Features
- Bore Size
- .500" bore
- Leadpipe
- Interchangeable leadpipe system with 3 leadpipes
- Bell Weights
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- 22 Gauge - Heavier (.025" thick)
- 23 Gauge - Lighter (.022" thick)
- Bell Materials
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- Yellow Brass (70% Copper / 30% Zinc)
- Rose Brass (85% Copper / 15% Zinc)
- Red Brass (90% Copper / 10% Zinc)
- Bell Treatments
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- Soldered
- A soldered bell tends to have a very centered sound with a lot of core (fundamental). The articulations are slightly dampened and softer with the solder, while the sound is more direct and compact.
- Unsoldered
- An unsoldered bell has a very wide sound with more overtones. Articulations are easier with an unsoldered rim. More near feel is apparent with these bells as the sound is wider, which helps give the player more feedback.
- Tempered
- Tempering occurs when a bell is spun twice on a mandrel which work hardens the bell. This adds brilliance and colour to the sound.
- Double Buffed
- Double buffing thins the bell slightly. It actually creates a thickness in between any two gauges.
- Heat Treated
- Heat treating is a baking of the entire bell. This softens the metal immensely and creates a very dark sound. This works best on heavier bells as it tends to free them up. Heat treating is not recommended on thinner bells as it makes them more prone to mute dents. The CF treatment has virtually replaced heat treating.
- CF Treated
- CF treating is a partial heat treating process. This treatment allows the bell to blow more freely and adds colour to the sound.
- Soldered
- Slides
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- A265-1
- The A265-1 is the standard-weight .500 bore slide. Quick in response, the A65-1 blows freely in all registers. A lighter tone can be achieved with this slide in comparison to the A65-1N.
- A265-1N
- The A265-1N is the heavier-weight slide. It has nickel outer tubes and a yellow brass end crook. The A65-1N provides players with a centered sound that slots "tighter" than the lightweight slide. Many players perceive the sound of the nickel slide to be darker than the A65-1.
- A265-1
- Tuning Slides
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- Single Radius
- Single Radius tuning slides are the most common. They have one continuous bend from small to large end. They are very free blowing and open in all registers.
- Dual Radius
- Dual Radius tuning slides have two bends. The shape is more square with the two bends making a flattened top. The dual radius provides a quicker response and ease in the upper register, however, the sound is more compact than the single radius tuning slide. All dual radius tuning slides are CF treated to offset the compact nature of this tuning slide.
- Both types available in yellow or red brass
- Single Radius
- Finishes
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- RawBrass
- Lacquer
- Silver Plate
- Gold Plate
- Satin Finish
Photo Gallery
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- Base Price:
- Call (800) 562-6838 for price
- Availability:
- Ships in 8-12 weeks
Read warranty and return policy information
Feel like a Test Drive?
Visit the Edwards Pro Stop and work one-one-one with Christan or Michael.
Contact us to set up an appointment.
In Their Own Words
"I'm impressed with the quality of the Edwards products, and by the consistency of tone through the different registers that seems to be a hallmark of their trombones. The modular concept allows you to customize a horn to your specific needs, and their consistency of intonation and response makes it easy to change to another of their horns for another musical genre. These horns hold up to the loudest playing, and speak easily in the softest applications."
James Scott
Principal Trombonist, Calgary Philharmonic