Online Brass Shops

[EriKon]

Don't know exactly where to put it, so I'll try it here:

Want to ask about good and reliable online Brass shops for used/vintage horns. So far I've heard good things about BrassArk, Dillon Music and Brass Exchange overseas. Over here I know of two sites (Elbblech and EppStore). Anything else that is worth checking in every now and then?

Thanks in advance!

[harrisonreed]

I'll vote for BrassArk -- bought a great 3B from them, gets a majority of my play time.

[mbarbier]

I also vote brass ark. Really great stuff and Noah is just very direct and honest about what the horns are. Covers a great mix of the fanciest stuff available, I just need a functional 321 for valve doubling, and everything in between. Totally awesome shop.

[hyperbolica]

If you're in Europe, I'm surprised you haven't mentioned Thomann. https://www.thomann.de/de/index.html

[hwlentz]

I used Noah (brassark) several years ago to sell a horn. Everything was smooth and I would use again to buy or sell. I have used Doug at thebrassexchange to buy and sell several times and been to his place. Totally reliable and fair. Would recommend either. Also have dealt with hornguys on an MB case purchase and they are super. If one of those has something you want, go for it with confidence.

[Finetales]

BrassArk, Horn Guys, Dillon Music, Baltimore Brass Co.

[crinaman]

If you want almost new at a discount, check out www.brassandwinds.com. They resell a lot of demo or slightly used horns. I’ve bought a couple of horns from them and been very happy.

[CamelWorld]

Brass Exchange is fantastic. Doug is a straight shooter and one of the best in the business.

[JohnL]

BrassArk, Horn Guys, Dillon Music, Baltimore Brass Co.

Sadly, Baltimore Brass will be gone as of October 31, 2022.

[MrHCinDE]

I bought a used horn from Erwin Schmid (Neubrunn) in the past and was very pleased with it so check in there now and again.

I haven’t personally bought from them but Lätzsch have a bit of used stock which I browse occasionally.

Otherwise, unfortunately now with post-Brexit import tax to the EU, I’ve been really happy with vintage horns from Mick Rath’s trade-in inventory, Prozone music and Trevor Jones (all in UK).

Swisstbone (active on here) has some really nice horns which have certainly grabbed my attention.

[harrisonreed]

A lot of what you're paying for, too, is that someone like BrassArk goes over the horn, and makes sure it's in great condition. It was exactly as described.

[SwissTbone]

I'll take the risk and blow my own horn here
www.swisstbone.com
I specialize on vintage trombones.

[Vegasbound]

Your in Europe so

Prozonemusic.com

Phil Parker.co.uk

Also if someone could list who is handling DJ’s inventory please?

[EriKon]

If you're in Europe, I'm surprised you haven't mentioned Thomann. https://www.thomann.de/de/index.html

Thomann is great if you want to try something, because you can send it back within 30 days without paying anything. But as far as I know they don't have used/vintage instruments.

[EriKon]

I bought a used horn from Erwin Schmid (Neubrunn) in the past and was very pleased with it so check in there now and again.

I haven’t personally bought from them but Lätzsch have a bit of used stock which I browse occasionally.
...

I have bought three instruments from Lätzsch's used horns supply already (I live in the northern parts of Germany, so it's not too far away). They have been in excellent condition

[MrHCinDE]

I have bought three instruments from Lätzsch's used horns supply already (I live in the northern parts of Germany, so it's not too far away). They have been in excellent condition

You would hope so, the prices are in the upper range!

Joking aside, I think the prices are still reasonable for horns in excellent condition in the German market, which is not comparable with the US (let's close our eyes and ignore the Dollar-Euro rate for now).

Do you know if the used horns are usually serviced by Lätzsch before being put up for sale? That would add a bit of value to me, similar to buying used from Rath. I think quite a few of the used horns I've been in contact with prozone (UK) about were serviced by Adrian Jarvis, who also has a fine reputation.

Since you're in the North, maybe it is also worth looking towards NL. I got a used bass from Van der Glas, there were some minor issues with it and I could have returned (they have a good returns policy) but in the end we found a fair compromise so I'd say the customer service was good overall. They were more than fair when discussing that minor issue.

vintgaetrombones.nl has some nice-looking stuff, might also be worth a visit sometime.

[EriKon]

I have bought three instruments from Lätzsch's used horns supply already (I live in the northern parts of Germany, so it's not too far away). They have been in excellent condition

You would hope so, the prices are in the upper range!

Joking aside, I think the prices are still reasonable for horns in excellent condition in the German market, which is not comparable with the US (let's close our eyes and ignore the Dollar-Euro rate for now).

Do you know if the used horns are usually serviced by Lätzsch before being put up for sale? That would add a bit of value to me, similar to buying used from Rath. I think quite a few of the used horns I've been in contact with prozone (UK) about were serviced by Adrian Jarvis, who also has a fine reputation.

Since you're in the North, maybe it is also worth looking towards NL. I got a used bass from Van der Glas, there were some minor issues with it and I could have returned (they have a good returns policy) but in the end we found a fair compromise so I'd say the customer service was good overall. They were more than fair when discussing that minor issue.

vintgaetrombones.nl has some nice-looking stuff, might also be worth a visit sometime.

They are definitely serviced before they are getting sold and also before he puts them up on the webpage. And thanks for the Dutch suggestions, will check it out.

I mean, I don't have an urgent need of a certain horn right now. I just enjoy browsing through horns, but you never know; maybe you'll find something that you can't let go

[harrisonreed]

In that case check out TC Gakki in Tokyo. Their page has all their instruments listed, sometimes absurd instruments come through. All great condition

[WGWTR180]

In the US definitely The Brassark. Brass Exchange can also be good. Dillon Music has very little in the way of good quality vintage instruments. For years if they received anything it would go into the basement and would be sold overseas for good money. Sadly many players in the area never saw any of those special gems.

[Crazy4Tbone86]

BrassArk, Horn Guys, Dillon Music, Baltimore Brass Co.

Sadly, Baltimore Brass will be gone as of October 31, 2022.

Don’t write the closing chapter on the Baltimore Brass Company yet. I stopped by the store a little over a week ago. Supposedly, the store already has two bidders. BB cannot announce anything until there has been an official purchase and transfer of ownership. Let’s hope that the store can stay open.

[Crazy4Tbone86]

In that case check out TC Gakki in Tokyo. Their page has all their instruments listed, sometimes absurd instruments come through. All great condition

I checked out TC Gakki’s website…not bad. I love how all of the Bach instruments are listed as “Vincent Buck” and bore sizes are listed as “fine” (small bore) and “thick” (large bore). Instrument terminology in various languages can make for some interesting translations.

[OneTon]

I have never been disappointed in anything from Brass Exchange, Hornguys, Dillon’s, or Sam Ash. I have also had positive experience with Long and McQuade in Canada. I have purchased several horns from Wichita Band Instrument. They are honest.

If a dealer can in fact get a better price for traded in instruments in export or import markets, they have every right to do so. We live in a global economy and have done so for longer than people may realize.

[WGWTR180]

I have never been disappointed in anything from Brass Exchange, Hornguys, Dillon’s, or Sam Ash. I have also had positive experience with Long and McQuade in Canada. I have purchased several horns from Wichita Band Instrument. They are honest.

If a dealer can in fact get a better price for traded in instruments in export or import markets, they have every right to do so. We live in a global economy and have done so for longer than people may realize.

Yep never said Dillon didn’t have the right.

[LeoInFL]

I have never been disappointed in anything from Brass Exchange, Hornguys, Dillon’s, or Sam Ash. I have also had positive experience with Long and McQuade in Canada. I have purchased several horns from Wichita Band Instrument. They are honest.

If a dealer can in fact get a better price for traded in instruments in export or import markets, they have every right to do so. We live in a global economy and have done so for longer than people may realize.

How were you able to purchase from Long & McQuade? Their website says they don't ship outside of Canada.

[elmsandr]

I have never been disappointed in anything from Brass Exchange, Hornguys, Dillon’s, or Sam Ash. I have also had positive experience with Long and McQuade in Canada. I have purchased several horns from Wichita Band Instrument. They are honest.

If a dealer can in fact get a better price for traded in instruments in export or import markets, they have every right to do so. We live in a global economy and have done so for longer than people may realize.

How were you able to purchase from Long & McQuade? Their website says they don't ship outside of Canada.

Huh. I bought a horn from them a LOOOOONG time ago and they did ship to me (Canada to Michigan), so they did at one time.

Back to the OP; I also have had experience with BrassArk and Brass Exchange. Both had deep knowledge of what they had and were able to communicate it very precisely and accurately. Prices for them were not bargain basement, but when you want something very specific, you can't expect a crazy deal.

Cheers,
Andy

[OneTon]

How were you able to purchase from Long & McQuade? Their website says they don't ship outside of Canada.

As Andy already noted, it was some time ago. Alastair Kay had recommended Yamaha Slide Oil, as it was called at the time, for YSL-697 trombones. No one in the States seemed to be carrying it. Getting my credit card to work was a fight to the finish but Long and McQuade hung in there.

Had it been an instrument and not an accessory, I would have been able to say, “The brass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”

[BGuttman]

...

Had it been an instrument and not an accessory, I would have been able to say, “The brass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”

Ooh. You don't want green brass.

[OneTon]

Lol

[SlaineM]

I will also vouch for the horn guys bought my C tuba from them a few years back and plan on getting an F tuba from them too. Steve is very helpful and an awesome human.

[Fridge]

Brass Exchange does a lot of overseas business. Doug does a great job. I’ve seen some stunning vintage horns go through there.

Fridge

[Wilco]

I'll take the risk and blow my own horn here
www.swisstbone.com
I specialize on vintage trombones.

GREAT shop

[pjanda1]

We are lucky to have some great shops. I've had excellent experiences with BrassArk and Horn Guys. I've not bought directly from SwissTbone, but I have an incredible horn that went through his shop recently and sold a horn to him (separately) in a very easy transaction. You pay more than buying privately, but if those guys say it is good, they are almost certainly right.

(That isn't true with some of the bigger used vintage shops. Not naming names, but there are certainly folks selling instruments at dealer prices that are no better vetted or in no better condition than you'd surely get rolling the dice on Ebay.)

Thompson Music is a neat small shop that nobody has mentioned. More trumpet focused, and maybe overlooked by virtue of its location, but worth checking out.

I don't have much experience with them (or any affiliation), but I think Schmitt Music is doing neat stuff with their "trombone shop," including a broad selection with new stuff from student to boutique. I appreciate their YouTube content covering not only new shiny things, but cool vintage instruments. Their website isn't the best, and I'm not sure it is complete (not showing any used trombones right now, if I'm doing it right). Some solid prices, at least on accessories. It is a rare business that can sell things I actually want near a major airport while also having bricks and mortar locations where a family with a beginner can walk in and get actual advice.

Paul