Product: Conn Trombone

We all remember that famous scene in Crocodile Dundee - that young punk who pulls out a flick knife on Mick Dundee, who responds: “That’s not a knife... THIS is a knife!” as he produces his own knife of colossal proportion and utter beauty.

Well, right now as I am admiring Conn’s new 88H model trombone, I know exactly how Mr. Dundee must have felt.

Having had an unforgettable week trying out this magnificent trombone in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, my head has been full of superlatives - remarkable, outstanding, supreme, glorious, first-class, flawless - it’s virtually impossible to write a sensible review without getting over excited, but here goes...

There is a reason why Conn is a market leader at selling trombones in the World. They are famous for their rich, dark tone and their ability to be blown at the most extreme of dynamics, without compromising the sound.

This new model has some newly embellished engraving on the bell, highlighting the return of the Company to the original home of Colonel C. G. Conn in Elkhart, Indiana, USA.

For me, the two most exciting improvements to this trombone are firstly the extraordinary ease with which I can play in the trigger register. There is such resonance down there. The other and most pleasing difference, which I actually believe to be a revelation, is the top Ab - always renowned for its uncomfortable feel, yet on this model it has a real effortlessness about it.

This is a sublime tenor trombone - it is a true delight to blow. Its ability to blend so wonderfully within the Orchestra makes it such a pleasure to work with. The range of colours within its tone is quite incredible, and the higher register plays with such ease and has so much space to do so.

I truly believe this Conn 88H model to be the very finest trombone out there. Over the years, the quality of Conn trombones has been unsurpassed. Well, they’ve only gone and improved it!

SIMON COWEN  

This instrument is available from London's Phil Parker Ltd and Prozone Music

Read more reviews, interviews and features from July/August 2017’s BBW, by subscribing to BBW Digital. Alternatively, subscribe to the printed magazine delivered by post: £40 (UK); £68 (Europe); £81 (Rest of the World)