Bach 42 standard weight handslide, early 1990s make. This is a great example of a high-quality Bach slide from an era known for excellent craftsmanship and consistency.
This slide has been fully restored and relacquered, bringing it back to a beautiful, clean finish. There are no dents, dings, or signs of previous trauma. The alignment is excellent, and it has been carefully set up to ensure maximum playability and smooth action.
It features a standard weight slide, making it responsive and easy to handle in a variety of playing situations. The slide feels super smooth, quiet, and comfortable under the hand, which many players find ideal for orchestral and large ensemble use, as well as for solo work requiring precision and ease of movement.
An important feature is the removable press-fit leadpipe, allowing the player to experiment with different pipe options to fine-tune resistance and response to their personal preference. This flexibility is a major plus for advancing students and professionals alike who want to tailor their setup.
What is the difference between a standard weight and lightweight Bach trombone slide?
Bach produces two primary slide models for the 42B trombone: standard weight and lightweight. The standard weight slide uses yellow brass outer tubes, a yellow brass end crook, and nickel silver oversleeves at the top of both the upper and lower outer slide tubes. These oversleeves are asymmetrical, with the top sleeve being shorter than the lower one. This design gives the slide a more centered, stable feel and produces a slightly broader sound, which is often preferred by orchestral players.
The lightweight 42 slide is built with nickel silver outer tubes and a nickel silver end crook, resulting in a quicker, more responsive feel that some players favor for increased agility and a brighter sound.
Further custom lightweight modifications are available from specialized brass shops. One common approach is removing the nickel oversleeves from a standard slide to reduce weight. Another is replacing the cross brace (the rod held by the right hand) with a smaller diameter rod, making the slide even lighter and subtly changing how it feels in the hand during play.
These differences allow players to choose or modify slides to perfectly match their playing style and sound goals.
Archived in our sold collection, this Bach 42 slide represents the classic design and reliability that has made Bach a top choice among trombonists worldwide for decades.
