Friedman plays a Bach 1954 Bach Mt Vernon 45B yellow brass bell, 50 slide with Butler CF outer slide. Mr. Friedman plays a 1900 Kruspe/Penzel model tenor trombone on Bruckner and appropriate repertoire.

For modern repertoire, he plays a Shires alto with tuning in the slide. For Romantic music, he plays an Evald Meinl alto. For French music, he uses a Bach 1929 NY model 8, and for commercial styles, he plays a Bach Mt. Vernon 36.

With his 45B, Jay Friedman uses a custom mouthpiece made by Bob Reeves. It has the rim of a 3G with the cup of a 4G. For smaller instruments, he uses a Hammond model JF #2.