Baritone With Stainless Piston
Short Description
A Baritone horn with a stainless steel piston is a brass wind instrument in the key of B♭, designed for smooth, reliable valve action, especially in school, band, or marching settings. The stainless steel pistons offer durability, resistance to corrosion, and consistent mechanical performance. Such instruments typically feature a brass body (yellow or rose brass), lacquered or silver‑plated finish, upright bell, three‐valve (often with optional fourth valve) configuration, moderate bore and bell sizes to balance tone, projection, and ease of play.
Key Features
-
Stainless Steel Pistons / Valves: Smooth, durable, less prone to wear and corrosion than cheaper materials; typically much more consistent over time.
-
Body / Bell Material: Usually yellow brass; some higher grades or variants use rose brass for the leadpipe for a warmer tone.
-
Finish Options: Clear lacquer, silver‑plated, or occasionally special plating. Finish affects maintenance and aesthetic, as well as (to some degree) tone.
-
Outer Slides / Leadpipe: Often nickel‑silver slides for tuning, and rose brass leadpipe in higher‑quality models.
-
Bell Size / Bore: Key parameters for tone, volume, and resistance. Larger bell = more projection, bigger sound; larger bore = more air needed, more freedom of sound.
-
Case / Accessories: Cases with proper protection (wood‑frame, ABS, or similar), mouthpiece, tuning slides, water keys, etc.
Specifications / Technical Information
| Parameter | Typical Value / Range |
|---|---|
| Key | B♭ (Bb) |
| Valves | 3 top pistons (sometimes a fourth side‑valve) made of stainless steel. |
| Bore Size | ~0.512″ to ~0.551″ (≈ 13.0‑14.0 mm) for mid/upper student / intermediate models; smaller (~12.8 mm) in beginner/student versions. |
| Bell Diameter | About 9.5″ (~240‑242 mm) for many moderate‑sized models. |
| Leadpipe Material | Often rose brass for warmer tonal qualities; may be lacquered or plated. |
| Outer Slides | Nickel silver material is commonly used to reduce corrosion and maintain tuning. |
| Finish | Lacquered brass body, or silver plated; sometimes wax/epoxy or multi‑coat for plating protection. |
| Weight | Varies; lighter models are suitable for beginners, while heavier marching versions feature a larger bell and bore. (Exact weights depend on size & materials.) Example: the Stagg marching baritone with stainless steel valves weighs ~2.35 kg. |
| Length / Size | It depends on the bell flare, shape, and style (such as upright bell or wrap), but it is usually manageable for school or band use. It is not overly large in student models but larger in professional/marching models. |
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.