gear reviews XO 1632LT “Fedchock” Trombone By Liam Kirkman There are those of us who find an instrument and stick with it and those who just can’t help searching for something new. Up until June 2015, I’d have included myself in the first category. I’d been playing my Bach LT12 since buying it new in 1992 and was very happy with it and not looking to change. However, a chance encounter with XO playing bass trombonist Josiah Walters, in Glasgow, persuaded me to check out the XO range of instruments.
sions, On first impresgly it’s astonishin light… For review, here is the small bore (0.500 bore) XO 1632 LT. This trombone has been designed with assistance from American jazz player John Fedchock. John was previously a King artist so it is not surprising that the 1632 shares some similarities. The slide, especially the round bow, could be straight off a King 2B. The curved bell brace, apparently shaped to optimise bell resonance, is also reminiscent of a King.
For me however, this is where the similarities end. On first impressions, it’s astonishingly light. Initially, I was unsure whether this instrument would prove as versatile as I needed it to be. My experience with lightweight Philharmonic Hallthey’re fine for high trombones is that lead playing and rock and pop but too
razzy for light orchestral playing or sitting on 2nd or 3rd trombone. Not so with the XO 1632 (or perhaps my colleagues are just being polite!) It takes a little adjustment when compared to a similarly sized Bach but after 12 months of using it in various situations from light orchestral to shows and loud rock gigs, I find it handles everything really well. The instrument is available with either yellow or gold brass bells and comes with a “fender stratocaster styled tweed” hardcase. If I’m to find fault with the 1632 it would be the lack of an interchangeable leadpipe as found with the large bore tenors and basses. The stock leadpipe is well suited to almost anything you would use this size of instrument for but occasionally something a little more open might be useful.
…it feels most secure in the lower and middle register… doesn’t detract from the high register. I am currently using the narrow crook hand slide but will be trying the wider slide at some point. I was excited to see how the instrument would react in a section environment and found it easy to balance with the sound blending well with the other guys in the section. I had to work harder to match short notes, as the trombone had a good ring to it.
The large bore tenor and bass trombones are for another review but as an alternative to the usual brands, XO is definitely worth checking out.
Schilke ST Trombone by Jonny Goodwin Out of the models I tried, I felt the Schilke was like no other. To hold, it feels more dense. The balance is very similar to the 88HO, and the wooden handle on the Schilke valve looks and feels beautiful. It feels like a large instrument, but the amount of detail I can now produce in my playing, with a little bit of focus, is a revelation. It is a lenient instrument, cleaning up my articulation, allowing me to play at softer dynamics and, with the smaller lead pipes, allows me to soar high with ease. Using the largest lead pipe that came with the instrument; it feels most secure in the lower and middle register, and
Endorsed by Eric Crees
An instrument at the top of the range comes with a top of the range price tag but I feel the craftsmanship and advantages of this instrument justify the price. Specs: Model ST21 .548” Bore Gold Brass or Yellow Brass Bell Rotax or Hagmann Valve option Various Leadpipes available: #1/#2 Option: Narrow Crook Handslide The Schilke ST21 comes with a lightweight, hard shell, fibreglass case To try this instrument, head over to Phil Parkers Ltd 29