Subject: TROMBONE-L digest 300 Date: Sunday, February 6, 2005 12:01 AM From: Multiple recipients of list To: Multiple recipients of list TROMBONE-L Digest 300 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Re: Bonna cases by "Jim Nova" 2) Re: Taps and TRB Bugle by "Bill Redgate" 3) Re: Bonna cases by Jeff Albert 4) Re: Taps and TRB Bugle by "Chris Tune" 5) Re: Instrument Choices by Jay Heltzer 6) Re: reality was Re: Re: Orchestra Bows: A Survey by Jay Heltzer 7) Re: Bonna cases by "Jim Nova" 8) Re: Instrument Choices by "Chris Tune" 9) Re: reality was Re: Re: Orchestra Bows: ASurvey by "Chris Tune" 10) Re: Bonna cases by "Chris Tune" From: Jim Nova Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2005 10:42:07 -0700 To: Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3880] Re: Bonna cases A year before this past September, I was flying back from Cincinnati and TSA forced me to check my horn, which was in my Bonna case. I argued that I had flown with the case many times and that it would fit in the overhead bins but to no avail. The TSA representative wouldn't budge. If I was home, I would have gone home and switched to my flight case and taken a later flight, but I was in Cincinnati and I wanted to go home, so I took the chance. Also, I didn't know about the letter from the AFM at that time. That would have been useful. My bell stem and valve were irreparably crushed. the tube leading into the bottom of my Thayer was FLAT! It was as if the baggage handlers saw the FRAGILE stickers as a challenge. The case was fine but the horn was not. I attempted to have the bell but after such a huge dent was removed, it sounded like a piece of duct tape was wrapped around the bell. It's a shame too, because it was one of Steve Shires' early bells with the hand engraving. It was serial number 63. I also tried to have the valve repaired , but it wouldn't stop seizing without lapping it and that of course would've changed the compression. I tried it anyway and it of course did what I predicted. The worst part is that TSA claimed no liability. In fact the person I spoke to cited the AFM letter and said that the employee was wrong but because I didn't take his name, they could do nothing. The airline also claimed no liability because the said "We didn't make you check it." Luckily my orchestra insurance covered the damage but it took several weeks to get a bell and valve I liked and the whole ordeal took months to resolve. Shires was extremely helpful during the whole process. Overall, the Bonna case is great but it just isn't strong enough to check. Use a flight case. The baggage handlers at the Salt Lake aiport once destroyed a Swiss Army Kevlar, that's right Kevlar, suitcase of mine. So if they can find a way to do that, they'll make short work of your Bonna case. Jim Nova Assistant Principal Trombone-Utah Symphony Principal Trombone-Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra jimnova@earthlink.net From: Bill Redgate Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2005 12:53:25 -0500 To: , 'List Trombone' Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3881] Re: Taps and TRB Bugle All; A little addition to the "protocol" of Taps. I got the gig a few times when I was in the service - since I doubled trumpet back then and most of the guys didn't care much for it. AS I recall ( and I could be off by 15 seconds) it goes like this... If the deceased was an... Enlisted personnel -- Taps should last at least 30 seconds Staff officer - - At least 45 seconds General Officer - - At least 60 seconds The reason most of the guys didn't like the gig was that we were in Texas and got a LOT of General officers. We used to refer to our area as the place "old generals go to die." When playing a funeral for a General you can be CERTAIN there is an "Aide" type staff officer watching his wristwatch while you're playing. One second short and your C.O. WILL hear about it. We used to wear a watch with the face on the inside of the wrist - so we could time ourselves while playing. That may be more than y'all need to know - but it came to mind after almost 30 years - so I thought I'd "share" Bill Redgate Atlanta Georgia -----Original Message----- From: owner-TROMBONE-L@listproc.samford.edu [mailto:owner-TROMBONE-L@listproc.samford.edu]On Behalf Of David A. Schwartz Sent: Friday, February 04, 2005 18:47 To: 'List Trombone' Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3879] Re: Taps and TRB Bugle John Burton wrote: >... I've been tempted to work on my soprano 'bone to make the right kind of noise to give honor to fallen comrades. > As the bumper sticker says, "We're making enemies faster than we can kill them." And we're making a lot of Veterans these days. I played taps a couple of years ago for an in-law, Korean War veteran. A small family gathering. It was me or no one. So, of course, I volunteered. So few notes!. So much practice! If you ever get the opportunity, take it. Borrow a bugle. Get a big mouthpiece, like a Bach 1-1/2C. Play slow, like Barbra Streisand singing a ballad. Fix intonation by putting your left hand in the bell, like a dyslexic French horn player. Make the assembled mourner cry with your descrescendo that lasts forever. You won't regret it. From: Jeff Albert Date: Sat, 05 Feb 2005 12:53:30 -0600 To: Jim Nova Cc: Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3882] Re: Bonna cases If the case wasn't damaged, the damage to the horn was from the horn moving in the case. Any case will allow damage if the horn isn't packed so that there is no wiggle room inside...right? Jeff Albert Jim Nova wrote: > A year before this past September, I was flying back from > Cincinnati and > TSA forced me to check my horn, which was in my Bonna case. I argued > that I > had flown with the case many times and that it would fit in the overhead > bins but to no avail. The TSA representative wouldn't budge. > If I was home, I would have gone home and switched to my flight > case and > taken a later flight, but I was in Cincinnati and I wanted to go home, > so I > took the chance. Also, I didn't know about the letter from the AFM at > that > time. That would have been useful. > My bell stem and valve were irreparably crushed. the tube leading into > the bottom of my Thayer was FLAT! It was as if the baggage handlers > saw the > FRAGILE stickers as a challenge. The case was fine but the horn was not. > I attempted to have the bell but after such a huge dent was > removed, it > sounded like a piece of duct tape was wrapped around the bell. It's a > shame > too, because it was one of Steve Shires' early bells with the hand > engraving. It was serial number 63. I also tried to have the valve > repaired > , but it wouldn't stop seizing without lapping it and that of course > would've changed the compression. I tried it anyway and it of course did > what I predicted. > The worst part is that TSA claimed no liability. In fact the person I > spoke to cited the AFM letter and said that the employee was wrong but > because I didn't take his name, they could do nothing. The airline also > claimed no liability because the said "We didn't make you check it." > Luckily my orchestra insurance covered the damage but it took several > weeks to get a bell and valve I liked and the whole ordeal took months to > resolve. Shires was extremely helpful during the whole process. > Overall, the Bonna case is great but it just isn't strong enough to > check. Use a flight case. The baggage handlers at the Salt Lake aiport > once > destroyed a Swiss Army Kevlar, that's right Kevlar, suitcase of mine. > So if > they can find a way to do that, they'll make short work of your Bonna > case. > > > Jim Nova > Assistant Principal Trombone-Utah Symphony > Principal Trombone-Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra > jimnova@earthlink.net > > > > > -- Jeff Albert P.O. Box 8645 Mandeville, LA 70470 (504) 782-5835 www.jeffalbert.com jeff@jeffalbert.com From: Chris Tune Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2005 13:31:39 -0800 To: , , 'List Trombone' Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3883] Re: Taps and TRB Bugle That's one of the nice things about NOT being in the military. Even if someone's Aide is unhappy with what I'm doing, it doesn't really percolate over to me. . .I'm the civilian on the "trombugle". Interesting factoid though. . . What do you do if you are on the last three attacks (two relatively short and one held out quite long. .) and you still have say 25 seconds to fill? Can you circular breathe? . . .all while making a very nice decrescendo to something so soft that the "Aide" can no longer hear it? Maybe then you could just keep your bugle up to your lips for the remaining seconds and claim to the "aide": I gave the General special ultra pianississississimo treatment. . . .I only do that for the most beloved General offiicers! Chris ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Redgate" To: ; "'List Trombone'" Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2005 9:53 AM Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3881] Re: Taps and TRB Bugle > All; > > A little addition to the "protocol" of Taps. > > I got the gig a few times when I was in the service - since I doubled > trumpet back then and most of the guys didn't care much for it. AS I > recall ( and I could be off by 15 seconds) it goes like this... > > If the deceased was an... > > Enlisted personnel -- Taps should last at least 30 seconds > > Staff officer - - At least 45 seconds > > General Officer - - At least 60 seconds > > > The reason most of the guys didn't like the gig was that we were in Texas > and got a LOT of General officers. We used to refer to our area as the > place "old generals go to die." When playing a funeral for a General you > can be CERTAIN there is an "Aide" type staff officer watching his > wristwatch > while you're playing. One second short and your C.O. WILL hear about it. > > We used to wear a watch with the face on the inside of the wrist - so we > could time ourselves while playing. > > That may be more than y'all need to know - but it came to mind after > almost > 30 years - so I thought I'd "share" > > > Bill Redgate > Atlanta Georgia > > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-TROMBONE-L@listproc.samford.edu > [mailto:owner-TROMBONE-L@listproc.samford.edu]On Behalf Of David A. > Schwartz > Sent: Friday, February 04, 2005 18:47 > To: 'List Trombone' > Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3879] Re: Taps and TRB Bugle > > > John Burton wrote: > >>... I've been tempted to work on my soprano 'bone to make the right kind >>of > noise to give honor to fallen comrades. >> > As the bumper sticker says, "We're making enemies faster than we can > kill them." And we're making a lot of Veterans these days. > > I played taps a couple of years ago for an in-law, Korean War veteran. > A small family gathering. It was me or no one. So, of course, I > volunteered. > > So few notes!. So much practice! > > If you ever get the opportunity, take it. > > Borrow a bugle. > > Get a big mouthpiece, like a Bach 1-1/2C. > > Play slow, like Barbra Streisand singing a ballad. > > Fix intonation by putting your left hand in the bell, like a dyslexic > French horn player. > > Make the assembled mourner cry with your descrescendo that lasts forever. > > You won't regret it. > > From: Jay Heltzer Date: Sat, 05 Feb 2005 16:43:10 -0500 To: , Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3884] Re: Instrument Choices As an Edwards player, it always irks me a bit when the generalization is thrown to us all that we play slide tubas. My setup is rather light, compared to what "the majority" is choosing, but that is the point. They are choosing to play on such big instruments. My question is : who is leading these young players to these mammoth horns? When I worked at The Brass Bow in Chicago, aside from my duties in customer service, I was the trombone tester for work that came in on bones. I made sure that things were in working order before they left the shop. I most enjoyed trying basses that came in, to see what people were playing on out there. A number of Edwards and Bachs, among others made it through the shop. Quite fascinating to see how many instruments were set up with such, IMHO, bad choices. Super large bells, extra heavy, extra weight on the mouthpieces, custom weight added to the horn in the hand slide, etc. Granted, I found them bad for me, and me only, but whether you are 5'6", or 6'5", a "foo" horn is a "foo" horn. ('cause that is the sound it makes when you play it. "FOOOOO") Who is telling these young impressionable students that a 20 gauge, 10.5 inch bell is a good idea? Even if it is a good idea, are they using their air properly to make that thing sing? Doubt it! Jay Heltzer USAF Ceremonial Brass > From: "Keith Marr" > Reply-To: mail@gothicway.fsnet.co.uk > Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 15:35:44 -0000 > To: > Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3703] Re: Instrument Choices > >> From: Earl Needham >> You don't see many 88H's in use today, at lease I don't. What I >> see is an overwhelming movement towards the Edwards, Shires, and Greenhoe >> trombones with such a huge bore size. All the college students I have >> spoken with recently want an Edwards "cannon", they have no thought of >> using a .525 horn, or even an other brand. >> >> I guess we've become bigoted towards the "tuba on a stick". Ouch. >> > Bravo for pointing this out. As a bass trombonist of some 35 years I have to > say I deplore the move towards "tuba on a stick" or "slide Euphonium" > basses. I play orchestra and big band and used a King Duo Gravis until about > four years ago when I got a second-hand Holton 181. I liked the horn but > found that all those years of playing a dependent system meant that I was > really using the second valve of the Holton on it's own at any stage. So > when I came to choose a new horn at the end of last year I went for a > dependent system and chose the Rath R9DST. It's a superb horn with a proper > trombone sound and blows so easily that I reckon I can hold long tones for a > good few beats longer than previous. Notwithstanding this ease of blowing > the sound comes through the orchestra and yet blends beautifully with the > rest of the section. It's got everything, why use a bazooka instead! > > Let's all try and get this macho idea out of students' heads. The biggest > isn't necessarily the best. > > Keith in Bb/F/D > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.302 / Virus Database: 265.7.2 - Release Date: 21/01/2005 > From: Jay Heltzer Date: Sat, 05 Feb 2005 16:44:32 -0500 To: Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3885] Re: reality was Re: Re: Orchestra Bows: A Survey How do you make a musician complain? Give them a gig. How do you get them to complain more? Improve their gig. Jay From: Jim Nova Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2005 15:04:45 -0700 To: Cc: Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3886] Re: Bonna cases That's an excellent point Jeff. One I should have addressed. In a Bonna case there are straps that hold the horn firmly in the case for precisely the reason you mentioned: wiggle room. I even bought some extra pads that velcro into place for that very reason. Since I worked for Allied movers for three summers during college (talk about a motivation to practice) I became real familiar with proper packing and shipping practices. Even though I don't ship my horn every day, I pad it as if I am. That being said, the Bonna cases are very strong by day to day movement, unloading into a car trunk, etc.. but since the material they're made from is somewhat "flexible" they will bend if enough force is applied. But we're talking several hundred pounds. I weigh about 173 lbs. and I can stand on it and not buckle it (I experimented with this obviously withou the horn inside). So in order to damage it the way it was, the baggage handlers probably put it on the bottom, even though I wrote in huge letters on the fragile sticker DO NOT STACK ON, and stacked on it four or five suitcases (or more) high. No amount of padding could've saved my horn. That's why when I got home, the case was fine but the horn was not. After they took the luggage off from the top of it. The case went back to it's normal shape. That's what Shires and I concluded. Hope that helps clear things up. Jim Nova Assistant Principal Trombone-Utah Symphony Principal Trombone-Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra jimnova@earthlink.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeff Albert" To: "Jim Nova" Cc: Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2005 11:53 AM Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3882] Re: Bonna cases > If the case wasn't damaged, the damage to the horn was from the horn > moving in the case. Any case will allow damage if the horn isn't packed > so that there is no wiggle room inside...right? > > Jeff Albert > > Jim Nova wrote: > >> A year before this past September, I was flying back from Cincinnati >> and >> TSA forced me to check my horn, which was in my Bonna case. I argued that >> I >> had flown with the case many times and that it would fit in the overhead >> bins but to no avail. The TSA representative wouldn't budge. >> If I was home, I would have gone home and switched to my flight case >> and >> taken a later flight, but I was in Cincinnati and I wanted to go home, so >> I >> took the chance. Also, I didn't know about the letter from the AFM at >> that >> time. That would have been useful. >> My bell stem and valve were irreparably crushed. the tube leading into >> the bottom of my Thayer was FLAT! It was as if the baggage handlers saw >> the >> FRAGILE stickers as a challenge. The case was fine but the horn was not. >> I attempted to have the bell but after such a huge dent was removed, >> it >> sounded like a piece of duct tape was wrapped around the bell. It's a >> shame >> too, because it was one of Steve Shires' early bells with the hand >> engraving. It was serial number 63. I also tried to have the valve >> repaired >> , but it wouldn't stop seizing without lapping it and that of course >> would've changed the compression. I tried it anyway and it of course did >> what I predicted. >> The worst part is that TSA claimed no liability. In fact the person I >> spoke to cited the AFM letter and said that the employee was wrong but >> because I didn't take his name, they could do nothing. The airline also >> claimed no liability because the said "We didn't make you check it." >> Luckily my orchestra insurance covered the damage but it took several >> weeks to get a bell and valve I liked and the whole ordeal took months to >> resolve. Shires was extremely helpful during the whole process. >> Overall, the Bonna case is great but it just isn't strong enough to >> check. Use a flight case. The baggage handlers at the Salt Lake aiport >> once >> destroyed a Swiss Army Kevlar, that's right Kevlar, suitcase of mine. So >> if >> they can find a way to do that, they'll make short work of your Bonna >> case. >> >> >> Jim Nova >> Assistant Principal Trombone-Utah Symphony >> Principal Trombone-Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra >> jimnova@earthlink.net >> >> >> >> >> > > -- > Jeff Albert > P.O. Box 8645 > Mandeville, LA 70470 > (504) 782-5835 > www.jeffalbert.com > jeff@jeffalbert.com > From: Chris Tune Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2005 14:25:19 -0800 To: , , Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3887] Re: Instrument Choices It seems to be some sort of "syndrome". That's the only way to put it. When I auditioned for Lewis Van Haney on a regular Conn 8H with a 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece, I placed very, very well in my audition for USC. Now I imagine that means I got a very good sound for orchestral and other similar situations (opera, etc. ). Now, I get the feeling that players are told, or feel that Conn horns are too "light sounding" and that a 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece is simply WAY TOO SMALL. Of course, it probably IS TOO SMALL if you have very large lips. Check yourself out in the mirror: If you have large, large lips try larger mouthpieces. If, like many, you have medium or smallish lips, then try starting with the smaller mouthpiece sizes. The piece should basically be "comfortable" and allow you to produce sound. What players are doing when they choose a mouthpiece is finding the "acctuator" for the instrument. If you use an "acctuator" which is difficult to move, then you run the risk of having delayed reactions and lack of precision. Precision is very much what orchestral playing is all about. Of course you need to "feel" the music and understand it's context and so forth, but the best orchestral players are very, very precise performers. I've always recommended that players try to play on equipment that gets no larger than they can play on with the utmost of precision and distiction. It's somewhat like a speaker at a speech: Would you rather hear the complete diction of the speaker, and thus get all the words? Or would you rather he was filtered in such a way as to have a very, very meliflouus, but indistinct diction? This would be very soothing, and relaxing, but would lack the CONTENT! I recall how impressed I was with the LSO Mahler 3rd with Jascha Horenstein. These players were basically playing regular 8H/88H type gear without anything unusually large being used. They used their "noodles" and not some equipment scheme to achieve great orchestral playing. Chris Tune ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jay Heltzer" To: ; Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2005 1:43 PM Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3884] Re: Instrument Choices > As an Edwards player, it always irks me a bit when the generalization is > thrown to us all that we play slide tubas. My setup is rather light, > compared to what "the majority" is choosing, but that is the point. They > are choosing to play on such big instruments. > > My question is : who is leading these young players to these mammoth > horns? > > When I worked at The Brass Bow in Chicago, aside from my duties in > customer > service, I was the trombone tester for work that came in on bones. I made > sure that things were in working order before they left the shop. I most > enjoyed trying basses that came in, to see what people were playing on out > there. A number of Edwards and Bachs, among others made it through the > shop. Quite fascinating to see how many instruments were set up with > such, > IMHO, bad choices. Super large bells, extra heavy, extra weight on the > mouthpieces, custom weight added to the horn in the hand slide, etc. > Granted, I found them bad for me, and me only, but whether you are 5'6", > or > 6'5", a "foo" horn is a "foo" horn. ('cause that is the sound it makes > when > you play it. "FOOOOO") > > Who is telling these young impressionable students that a 20 gauge, 10.5 > inch bell is a good idea? Even if it is a good idea, are they using their > air properly to make that thing sing? Doubt it! > > Jay Heltzer > USAF Ceremonial Brass > >> From: "Keith Marr" >> Reply-To: mail@gothicway.fsnet.co.uk >> Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 15:35:44 -0000 >> To: >> Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3703] Re: Instrument Choices >> >>> From: Earl Needham >>> You don't see many 88H's in use today, at lease I don't. What I >>> see is an overwhelming movement towards the Edwards, Shires, and >>> Greenhoe >>> trombones with such a huge bore size. All the college students I have >>> spoken with recently want an Edwards "cannon", they have no thought of >>> using a .525 horn, or even an other brand. >>> >>> I guess we've become bigoted towards the "tuba on a stick". Ouch. >>> >> Bravo for pointing this out. As a bass trombonist of some 35 years I have >> to >> say I deplore the move towards "tuba on a stick" or "slide Euphonium" >> basses. I play orchestra and big band and used a King Duo Gravis until >> about >> four years ago when I got a second-hand Holton 181. I liked the horn but >> found that all those years of playing a dependent system meant that I was >> really using the second valve of the Holton on it's own at any stage. So >> when I came to choose a new horn at the end of last year I went for a >> dependent system and chose the Rath R9DST. It's a superb horn with a >> proper >> trombone sound and blows so easily that I reckon I can hold long tones >> for a >> good few beats longer than previous. Notwithstanding this ease of blowing >> the sound comes through the orchestra and yet blends beautifully with the >> rest of the section. It's got everything, why use a bazooka instead! >> >> Let's all try and get this macho idea out of students' heads. The biggest >> isn't necessarily the best. >> >> Keith in Bb/F/D >> >> >> >> -- >> No virus found in this outgoing message. >> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >> Version: 7.0.302 / Virus Database: 265.7.2 - Release Date: 21/01/2005 >> > > From: Chris Tune Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2005 14:27:25 -0800 To: , Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3888] Re: reality was Re: Re: Orchestra Bows: ASurvey There was a "bitch session" at last night's gig: Another reason players complain is they have just now, all, realized that the leader is nuts and has no concept of tempo whatsoever. But it takes time to figure that out. So if you have say half a dozen newer players in the band, sometimes they all realize this around the same time and then you have a session. Chris ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jay Heltzer" To: Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2005 1:44 PM Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3885] Re: reality was Re: Re: Orchestra Bows: ASurvey > How do you make a musician complain? > Give them a gig. > > How do you get them to complain more? > Improve their gig. > > Jay > > From: Chris Tune Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2005 14:32:21 -0800 To: , Jim Nova Cc: Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3889] Re: Bonna cases Yes. I try to use my King "coffin" whenever I put something on baggage. Its made of strong plywood and reinforced corners, sort of like an "Anvil" case. Hey, say hi to Larry Zalkind for me when you see him next. Larry was a good friend at USC. Chris Tune ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeff Albert" To: "Jim Nova" Cc: Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2005 10:53 AM Subject: [TROMBONE-L:3882] Re: Bonna cases > If the case wasn't damaged, the damage to the horn was from the horn > moving in the case. Any case will allow damage if the horn isn't packed > so that there is no wiggle room inside...right? > > Jeff Albert > > Jim Nova wrote: > >> A year before this past September, I was flying back from Cincinnati >> and >> TSA forced me to check my horn, which was in my Bonna case. I argued that >> I >> had flown with the case many times and that it would fit in the overhead >> bins but to no avail. The TSA representative wouldn't budge. >> If I was home, I would have gone home and switched to my flight case >> and >> taken a later flight, but I was in Cincinnati and I wanted to go home, so >> I >> took the chance. Also, I didn't know about the letter from the AFM at >> that >> time. That would have been useful. >> My bell stem and valve were irreparably crushed. the tube leading into >> the bottom of my Thayer was FLAT! It was as if the baggage handlers saw >> the >> FRAGILE stickers as a challenge. The case was fine but the horn was not. >> I attempted to have the bell but after such a huge dent was removed, >> it >> sounded like a piece of duct tape was wrapped around the bell. It's a >> shame >> too, because it was one of Steve Shires' early bells with the hand >> engraving. It was serial number 63. I also tried to have the valve >> repaired >> , but it wouldn't stop seizing without lapping it and that of course >> would've changed the compression. I tried it anyway and it of course did >> what I predicted. >> The worst part is that TSA claimed no liability. In fact the person I >> spoke to cited the AFM letter and said that the employee was wrong but >> because I didn't take his name, they could do nothing. The airline also >> claimed no liability because the said "We didn't make you check it." >> Luckily my orchestra insurance covered the damage but it took several >> weeks to get a bell and valve I liked and the whole ordeal took months to >> resolve. Shires was extremely helpful during the whole process. >> Overall, the Bonna case is great but it just isn't strong enough to >> check. Use a flight case. The baggage handlers at the Salt Lake aiport >> once >> destroyed a Swiss Army Kevlar, that's right Kevlar, suitcase of mine. So >> if >> they can find a way to do that, they'll make short work of your Bonna >> case. >> >> >> Jim Nova >> Assistant Principal Trombone-Utah Symphony >> Principal Trombone-Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra >> jimnova@earthlink.net >> >> >> >> >> > > -- > Jeff Albert > P.O. Box 8645 > Mandeville, LA 70470 > (504) 782-5835 > www.jeffalbert.com > jeff@jeffalbert.com > >