✦ Historical Perspective
The Rath R2 is part of the small-bore custom trombone lineup produced by Michael Rath in the United Kingdom. Rath instruments have developed a strong following among professional brass players for their craftsmanship, precision engineering, and modern approach to custom instrument design.
This particular example features a 7.5" brushed nickel silver bell with satin lacquer exterior and polished inner bell finish, creating a distinctive appearance while also contributing to a focused tonal character. Nickel silver bells are often associated with strong projection and clarity, making them well suited for lead trombone and commercial playing.
The instrument includes an R2 handslide with a dual bore .500/.510 configuration, providing a slightly broader feel than a straight .500 slide while still maintaining the agility and articulation that small-bore players expect. The trombone also includes a removable leadpipe, allowing players to fine-tune the instrument’s resistance and response.
Condition on this instrument was exceptional. The horn came from a single owner and showed no signs of damage or structural repair. The lacquer finish remained in excellent condition, and the handslide performance was smooth and responsive.
With its combination of focused projection, quick articulation, and refined craftsmanship, this Rath R2 represented an outstanding example of a modern custom small-bore jazz trombone.
📸 Photography From Our Early Archive
Some photographs on this page come from the earlier years of The Brass Exchange. While our photography techniques have evolved significantly over time, these images remain an important part of our historical archive.
Today we use a refined lighting system designed for fine-art photography of brass instruments, but these earlier photos still document many exceptional instruments that have passed through our shop.
Questions Trombone Players Often Ask
What is the Rath R2 trombone designed for?
The Rath R2 is a professional small-bore jazz tenor trombone, designed primarily for lead playing, big band work, and commercial performance settings where clarity, projection, and quick articulation are important.
What is a dual bore trombone slide?
A dual bore slide uses slightly different tube diameters in the upper and lower slide tubes—in this case .500/.510. This design can provide a slightly broader feel and more tonal depth while retaining the agility of a small-bore instrument.
How does a nickel silver bell affect the sound?
Nickel silver bells are often associated with focused projection and brilliant tonal clarity. Many lead players appreciate this material because it helps the instrument project clearly in ensemble settings.
🔧 Availability & Archive Status
This Rath R2 trombone has been sold and now appears in The Brass Exchange archive as a historical reference for musicians researching Rath custom trombones and professional small-bore jazz instruments.
👉 Browse our current trombone inventory 🔎
📚 Explore additional instruments in our Archive of Sold trombones.
🏅 Why Players Trust The Brass Exchange
Since 2010, The Brass Exchange has specialized in carefully curated professional and vintage brass instruments for musicians around the world. Thousands of players — from advancing students to major orchestra professionals — rely on our shop for instruments that are properly evaluated, serviced, and accurately described.
Every instrument we sell is personally inspected and prepared in our shop, ensuring that it arrives ready to play.
