Larry Minick Custom Tenor Trombone- The ultimate .500 jazz trombone

Up for sale is another rare instrument from my collection, a Larry Minick .500 trombone.

If you google Larry Minick you will find that he was one of the pioneers of brass manufacturing throughout the late 20th century. He was responsible for some of the first “open wrap” f-attachment conversions and independent double valve bass trombone conversions. His instruments have been and are still played by artists such as Bob Brookmeyer, Jeff Reynolds, former bass trombonist of the LA Philharmonic, international trombone soloist Christian Lindberg, Roger Bobo, Jason Jackson of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and more. His repair work was highly sought after on the west coast and abroad until his passing in the late 1990s.

I purchased this horn from the Brass Ark a few months ago and it has been a joy to learn, play on, and especially recording from home with, but as live gigs return I realize I am not a small bore trombonist, so am hoping this horn can find a lovely home for someone who finds more use for a small bore straight horn!

Specs:
Slide is .500 straight bore, yellow brass tubes, Nickel Conn 6H crook. The outer tubes have been replaced and all work was done by Don Sawday in California, long considered the closest successor to the work of Minick. I will also include the original worn and cracked slide tubes for historical preservation. Removable push lead pipe system. The slide was freshly lacquered to preserve it for decades to come.

This horn was one of Minick’s early builds, circa 1980, that led to the Conn 100H jazz trombone marketed in the 80s until today. It was made before his signature curved grip was used, so Minick actually used a grip from legendary Earl Williams parts for this slide. It has some wear and small pings on the inner slide tubes, but no conn chrome wear on the stockings, and everything is perfectly straight. I brought it to J. Landress Brass to tweak but was told the tubes were so straight any attempt to alter them would make the slide worse. That’s how amazing Minick’s work is! With Trombotine this slide is nearly a perfect ten. 

The bell section is an 8 inch yellow brass bell. Though many have claimed these horns are rebuilt Conn 6H’s, using all of their parts, this bell is definitely a one piece bell and one can only presume that Minick spun it, or altered it himself. It is magical, response, nimble, and very malleable. The tuning slide and gooseneck look to be modified Conn 6H parts. Minick carefully assembled his horns with no stress to allow the bell to resonate, and this one lives up to the legend! The bell section has an inward curving grip where the player holds the horn making this one of the most comfortable instruments to hold and play. Truly a perfectly balanced instrument. 

According to the Brass Ark, this horn came with an original Burt Herrick Leadpipe. It is the shortest pipe in the middle of the picture. There are no markings to confirm this, but I trust the provenance confirmed by the Brass Ark as they deal in many rare and valuable instruments in brass manufacturing. It plays very much like the Kanstul Hseries leadpipes and reminds me of an H6 I used to use, but with a little more “Bach quality” to it.

The horn also comes with two more additional leadpipes:

1.) Brass Ark Seamed Copper 32H pipe, the longest pipe. Focused sound, holds up well for loud volumes. More “veiled” sounding at soft dynamics.
2.) Conn 3 .500 leadpipe from a vintage Conn 100H. In between the Herrick and 32H pipe. Articulations pop, a wonderful balance, and my preferred pipe to use. 

So not only a great trombone, but three leadpipe options to mess with and dial in your ideal sound.

This horn plays like a Conn 6H mixed with a Martin Urbie Green. It is very lightweight, perhaps the lightest horn I’ve played, yet very solid and durable. This horn does not fall apart at loud volumes and speaks clearly at soft volumes. The range of dynamics that can be executed on this horn is astounding. Truly brass alchemy.

The horn will be expertly packed and shipped without a case. Sold AS-IS. Trombone stand and mouthpiece are NOT included. Open to reasonable offers for an instrument of this caliber. Price includes free shipping to the Continental U.S. Located for pickup in Nashville, TN or drive a few hours distance to deliver. Hawaii, Alaska, International Buyers I am willing to cover up to $200 of shipping costs. 

There are very few remaining examples of these instruments out there in the world, so here’s a chance to own one recently overhauled and ready for a new musical life!