Rath R6 Large Bore (.547) Tenor Trombone: Build Your Own

Build YOUR Dream Rath Trombone Today!

Austin Custom Brass is excited to be able to offer this remarkable line of trombones to you! Made in England, with incredible craftsmanship and design, Rath trombones offer incredible sound and playability. The R6, large bore (.547") mode is an ideal instrument for almost every musical genre. With clarity, brilliance and flexibility this trombone is adaptable and versatile to many musical settings. Able to achieve a dark, full, round tonal quality that is desirable for solo recital playing, brass band, and chamber and large classical ensemble. Michael Rath tenor trombones provide the perfect solution. 

Michael Rath has been developing the new R6 large bore (.547”) Bb/F trombone over the last two years. He set out with the concept of designing an instrument that meets the needs of the modern player and one that enhances the successful range of Rath trombones.

The R6 is the first model to feature the new Rath designed valve and is made by a local engineering company in Yorkshire, England.

The instrument has been developed with single radius bows on the hand slide, F tuning and main tuning slide bows. Single radius bows allow for a more consistent transition through the dynamic range giving more control to the player and provides a more open feel and sound.

The main tuning slide features a newly designed large taper and breaks with Rath tradition with a single fixed brace between the tuning slide legs instead of the classic ‘R’. The brace gives the instrument a more traditional look but also increases response and the new taper gives a very rich and full sound.

Michael has always worked closely with his team of technicians to ensure the quality, consistency and to develop new techniques in the manufacturing process. Recently he has developed new tooling to create a more rounded rim profile on the bells. This new shape has increased the feedback to the player without compromising projection and will be used on all new Rath Trombones including the new R6.

The R6 Model comes standard with:

• 8 1/2" Red Brass Bell, standard weight
• R6 Yellow Brass Main Tuning Slide
• .547" bore
• Yellow Brass Gooseneck
• Yellow Brass Handslide
• Rath Valve,  F-attachment
• 41A Leadpipe
• Rath Case

You may customize your horn by choosing:

• different bell materials
• light weight bell 
• choose to have a screw rim bell flare
• handslide outer slide legs material
• choose the finish you like best

 Finish Options (select one above when checking out)

• Clear Lacquer Finish
• Brushed #1 = Fully brushed
• Brushed #2 = All brass brushed, all nickel silver polished
• Brushed #3 = Body of bell brushed, nickel silver parts and inner bell flare polished. Brushed brass tuning slide, valve section (if applicable) and nickel silver parts polished. Slide fully polished.
• Brushed #3A = Bell section same as #3 but slide outer legs are brushed. Inner slide, bow, ferrule, sleeves stay polished.

About Rath's bell material options:

Michael Rath Custom Trombone bell flares offer wide range of tonal characteristics, each material giving a variety and flexibility of sound. They are available in yellow brass (70% copper, 30% zinc), gold brass (85% copper, 15% zinc), red brass (90% copper, 10% zinc) and nickel silver.

The higher the copper content in the material, the darker and warmer is the sound. For example a yellow brass bell will sound more brilliant and brighter than gold and red brass bells with a consistency of tone. Nickel silver bells tend to produce an extremely clear sound, but without becoming excessively bright. When coupled with the right main slide, tuning slide and leadpipe, nickel bells can also sound dark, full and resonant, particularly on our bass trombones.

All Michael Rath bells are constructed in two pieces, a flare and a spout, allowing us to select the most appropriate gauge (or material thickness) for the bell flare and spout independently. They are produced entirely by hand in our workshop and are finished in clear lacquer as standard, although various other finishes are available.

About Rath's Slides:

For the R6 Michael Rath slides are available in two different materials for the outer slide – yellow brass or bronze.

A bronze slide typically sounds darker and feels more centred. Bronze can be an excellent choice, for the R4, R6, or R9 models, for a player searching for a dark, symphonic sound. Yellow brass slides sounds little brighter than bronze in terms of their tonal characteristics and lighter feel (related to playing, not neccessarily the actual weight).

Michael Rath slides feature dual radius nickel slide bows and an interchangeable leadpipe system. The connection, slide to bell section, has a locking system unique to our instruments. The advantage of this system over a regular screw fitting is that the slide matches directly to the gooseneck, without any step in the bore. 

Want to customize your trombone even further? Call us 816-410-0826 to place your order if you want to add any additional customization options call such as: 

• additional leadpipe(s)
• add an additional bell
• Personalized Custom Finishes

You can add a Rath Hand Support to Your Order (will not come attached to your horn):

Players are becoming ever more aware of the problems caused by excessive tension and physical strain when holding and playing the trombone especially in situations such as marching or simply performing for extended periods without a break. It can affect a wide range of players, from young children to those with conditions such as arthritis. The Michael Rath hand support system is a very simple yet very effective way of reducing, and in many cases eliminating, physical tension in the hand, arm and shoulder. Musically, the benefits of being able to perform free from unnecessary tension can be considerable and often this can also lead to a reduction of excessive pressure on the embouchure.

Attaching to the main bell stay of the instrument, the pad of the Michael Rath hand support fits snugly across the back of the left hand, providing all the necessary support needed to eliminate tension from the fingers. When properly adjusted a player can even remove their fingers from the slide stay completely leaving the hand support to take the full weight of the instrument. The Michael Rath hand support has been designed and successfully tested with a number of different makes and models of trombone, in addition to all Rath instruments, and, as well as its popular use with bass and contra bass trombones, the hand support has proven to be equally as successful with Bb/F tenor and even straight tenor trombones.

The Michael Rath hand support comes as a very simple kit which is easy to fit and adjust though care should be taken to not over tighten the screws as this may damage the bell stay.

Prior to ordering please check our Shipping and Returns policy. All sales are final on custom ordered/custom built trombones.

If you have any questions please send us an email or give us a call at (816) 410-0826! 

Also note weight indicated in the ad is shipping weight not actual weight of instrument.