5. Materials

Not everything that shines is gold!

Trombones are made from brass (70% copper, 30% zinc) or gold brass (85% copper, 15% zinc). There are differences between these metals in terms of manufacturing, durability, and sound. Parts that are highly susceptible to corrosion, like slides or mechanical parts, are often made entirely of nickel silver, a nickel-copper-zinc alloy.

Manufacturing process aside, durability is influenced by several factors. The key point is that gold brass is more durable because the higher copper content makes it more resistant to corrosion. To seal the surface of the metals, either clear lacquer, silver, or gold lacquer is used.

Bell made of brass

Bell made of gold brass

Bell made of nickel silver

Many manufacturers offer combinations of different materials, depending on the type of trombone. For example, the same trombone can have a bell made of brass or gold brass, and a slide made of nickel silver or brass. These combinations allow each player to choose the optimal instrument for themselves.

Slide made of brass

Slide made of gold brass

Slide made of nickel silver

When it comes to sound, the most important factors are the musician and the mouthpiece. After that, the design and size, the thickness of the material, the material itself, and the surface finish all influence the sound. Since so many factors come into play, the optimal sound is always a matter of personal taste and the intended use.