This professional Rath R4 tenor trombone with screw bell carries both exceptional craftsmanship and a remarkable history. It was previously owned and played by Mike Dease, widely recognized as one of the world’s leading jazz trombonists. A Downbeat Magazine Readers Poll winner, active recording artist, and Professor of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, Dease has toured and performed internationally at the highest level. His artistry and long-term use of this instrument give it rare provenance and character.
The configuration includes a 750Y yellow brass bell with detachable flare and a Hagmann valve, producing both clarity and stability with plenty of core in the sound. The 430 handslide is a straight bore .547 with yellow brass outer tubes and nickel silver end crook, complemented by one removable leadpipe. A custom red cut-bell case with backpack straps is also included, making this horn practical for travel.
What sets this instrument apart is not just its build, but its musical memory. When high-level players perform consistently on a particular horn, the brass itself becomes “trained,” developing resonance characteristics that reflect years of professional use. Certain notes and response qualities can take on a life of their own, and that carries forward to the next player. With Mike Dease’s history on this horn, it retains that memory — something very rarely available to the marketplace.
Though Dease is best known for jazz, this R4 is a true all-around large bore tenor. It offers energy, depth, and projection that works equally well in band, orchestra, chamber music, studio work, small group settings, and of course jazz performance. The horn was fully serviced in our shop with a chemical bath, slide alignment, and valve optimization, ensuring professional-level performance with no evidence of prior damage.
A new Rath R4 with screw bell and Hagmann valve sells in the U.S. for over $5,700 before import fees or tariffs, without even including a case. This example offers both value and extraordinary history as an ex-artist horn from one of today’s leading trombonists.
Question 🎵: Why is this Rath R4 a rare opportunity for serious players?
Beyond its premium configuration, this horn’s character has been shaped by Mike Dease’s years of performance and recording. Brass instruments develop a “memory” under such use, giving them a responsiveness and resonance that simply cannot be replicated in a new instrument. That makes this R4 not just a versatile professional tenor, but a unique piece of jazz and trombone history.
🛠️ Sold and preserved in our archive as a resource for players and collectors. See our active trombone inventory for models ready to ship.👉
