This Bach 36B, serial number 20305, dates from the mid-1970s Corporation Era — one of the most respected production periods for Bach trombones. It retains all original parts and lacquer, and has received a full professional shop service including chemical bath, inspection, and mechanical adjustments.
The slide and valve are in excellent condition, with no plating loss, red rot, dents, or dings. This is a super straight, clean horn that plays beautifully. The original case has been fully restored with a new liner, leaving it 100% functional and visually sharp.
Historical Context
For many years, Vincent Bach regarded the model 36 (.525 bore) as the ideal size trombone for all-around orchestral use — equally at home in pit orchestras, studios, and concert settings. Importantly, Bach felt that the larger .547 bore of the 42 was too big for everyday orchestra work, even as Conn’s 88H and other .547 models gained traction among professional players beginning in the 1950s and 60s.
Market pressures and changing orchestral tastes eventually pushed Bach to introduce the 42B, but the design reused nearly all of the same components as the 36B: the valve section, tuning slide, and even the bell mandrel. The only differences were the larger 8.5" bell, a .547 bore slide, and a slightly wider slide design. For players, this means the 36B remains a unique balance point between the brilliance and ease of a medium-bore horn and the breadth of a full orchestral large bore.
Today, many modern orchestral programs and studio players continue to recognize the value of the .525 bore — versatile enough to blend, but focused enough to cut through when needed. For advancing younger players moving up from student straight tenors, the 36B also makes an excellent transitional horn, offering professional-level performance without the extra weight or blow of a .547.
Why consider a Bach 36B?
The 36B provides:
A flexible .525 bore size that balances projection with control.
A yellow brass 8" bell for warmth and clarity.
A rotor valve setup that opens additional range and tonal options.
Historical pedigree as one of Vincent Bach’s most personally favored designs.
Archive Note
This Bach 36B is now part of our Archive of Sold Instruments, preserved here as a resource for musicians, collectors, and researchers interested in Bach trombone history.
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