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Focustyle Elite FTB-480 Superbone (Hybrid Trombone)
Regular price
$675.00 USD
Regular price
$799.00 USD
Sale price
$675.00 USD
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Incl. delivery cost (about 3-4 weeks to arrive)
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- Key: Bb
- 215mm (8.46") Bell Diameter
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12.7 mm ( .500")-13.33mm( .525") Bore
- Gold Brass Bell
- Nickel silver slides
- Nickel silver piston valves
- Full silver plated available
-
Lightweight case
The Superbone is a hybrid brass instrument in the trombone family, combining features of both a slide trombone and a valve trombone. It has a traditional trombone slide (typically with seven positions) for changing pitch, along with three valves (usually piston or rotary) that allow for faster note transitions, similar to a trumpet or valve trombone. Typically pitched in B♭, it offers a trombone-like tone but with added versatility due to the valves, which can be used alone, with the slide, or in combination for effects like trills or rapid passages.
The Superbone emerged in the 1970s, with a notable version patented by Larry Ramirez of Holton Musical Instruments in collaboration with jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson. Early models, like the Holton TR-395, had a narrow bore (around 0.484 inches), giving it a bright, trumpet-like quality, while modern versions from makers like Schagerl (designed with James Morrison) or Focustyle use a larger bore (0.525 inches) for a fuller trombone sound. Its design—often with a detachable valve section between the slide and bell—makes it heavier than a standard trombone but practical for players who can leverage both slide and valve techniques.
It’s most associated with jazz and experimental music, used by artists like Ferguson (e.g., on "Superbone Meets the Bad Man") and Ashley Alexander, who called it a "double trombone" and showcased its flexibility in performances. While not as common as traditional trombones, it’s prized for its unique capabilities in genres requiring both slide expressiveness and valve agility.
