Models like the Rath R2 and Rath R10, both small bore trombones, have become staples in big band and jazz settings, prized for their agility and tonal clarity. Meanwhile, the Rath R9 bass trombone has earned a reputation for its versatility, moving seam- lessly between brass bands, military ensembles and symphony orchestras. The trombones are built around the player, not the other way around. “People can essentially build a horn to suit their needs, if they’re a solo player, or they need to stick out, if they need to blend as part of a section, if they need to jump between a symphony and band setting quite regularly, and they need a horn that can work for both,” Good said. As Rath marks 30 years, the milestone is felt deeply within the workshop itself. Many of the company’s team members have spent decades honing their craft under Rath’s guid- ance. It’s a small team, but there’s a great deal of care and attention given to the product that has developed a worldwide reputation and respect in the international brass and indeed wider music community according to Goodman. That reputation is now accelerating. De- mand for Rath Trombones continues to rise, particularly in the U.S., where the company has rapidly expanded its presence. “For example, Rath only had one dealer in the United States a few years ago. Now, Rath dealers can be found across the States, and that continues to increase,” Good said. “These horns are manufactured from start- to-finish in the UK by a small, extremely talented team of individuals who are the finest at what they do. Michael Rath is one of the finest trombone makers in the world. He comes at it from a background steeped in the likes of Paxman Horns. You can tweak the sound, the response, the feel to suit your own needs and Rath will never rush the process, because, of course, every single person who picks up a trombone is going to have different requirements for what they need from the horn so that bespoke, modular, customizable aspect is so attractive.” EXPANDING REACH In the coming months, the Yorkshire maker will be visible across some of the brass world’s most influential gatherings. Fresh from the European Brass Band Championships, Rath is already looking ahead to the International Trombone Festival this July, where it will sponsor and represent the brand among play- ers and industry leaders. Additionally, the recent introduction of
the Rath R300 medium bore trombone has already resonated strongly with players. Its early popularity signals a broader appetite for instruments that can move fluidly across styles. According to Good, that evolution is far from over. Further developments in the small bore range are already on the horizon. Yet what truly distinguishes Rath is the ecosystem built around them. Mouthpieces are treated as integral to the playing experi- ence. Designed with the same attention to detail as the trombones themselves, they form part of a wider commitment to acces- sibility and player support.
“Mouthpieces are an important part of the project as well, and in their efforts to offer more support physically to trombon- ists of any instrument, they also have a very popular hand support, and this is to try and eliminate unnecessary physical tension or strain,” Good said. “Because of its custom nature, Rath has been able to help folks over the years who may have physical impair- ments to their playing, so if somebody, for example, has a certain disability, Michael Rath has been able to build custom struc- tures to allow them to continue to play the trombone.” MI
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