Yamaha Student Trombone Questions

[Thom]

Hello Y'all,
I have checked out the posts on the YSL-354C student model small bore trombone. Maybe I am missing the conclusions, but is it made in China for Yamaha? Also, I am taking lessons and relearning the fundamentals, but my intension is to only play in my local Swing Ensemble and Concert Band. For that level of playing, should my trombone always be sufficient for the purposes mentioned above?

[BGuttman]

Swing ensemble? Fine for 2nd or 3rd trombone (or even first if you are good enough).

Concert band? Depending on the level of the ensemble maybe OK. They will probably want you to have something with an F-attachment, though.

Not acceptable for 3rd trombone in Concert Band or 4th Trombone in Swing Ensemble (except if the Swing Ensemble only plays music from the 1930s or 1940s).

Note: Yamaha is making a lot of the student models in China. They do QC on the instruments so you probably won't get a real dog. The professional instruments are made in Japan. As a beginner or early re-entrant you probably won't notice a difference between the student model horn or a professional model, but eventually you may want to get a better instrument.

[Doug Elliott]

I don't know what the C designation means on a 354.
On all of your questions the answer partly depends on what other players are using in the same groups.

Is that the horn you have now, or are you considering getting one? I think they are now made in China but they seem to still be excellent quality.

I played on a 354 as my main horn for many years.

[Thom]

It is my horn for now, renting is all I can afford this year.

[Thom]

Swing ensemble? Fine for 2nd or 3rd trombone (or even first if you are good enough).

Concert band? Depending on the level of the ensemble maybe OK. They will probably want you to have something with an F-attachment, though.

Not acceptable for 3rd trombone in Concert Band or 4th Trombone in Swing Ensemble (except if the Swing Ensemble only plays music from the 1930s or 1940s).

Note: Yamaha is making a lot of the student models in China. They do QC on the instruments so you probably won't get a real dog. The professional instruments are made in Japan. As a beginner or early re-entrant you probably won't notice a difference between the student model horn or a professional model, but eventually you may want to get a better instrument.

All the first, second, and third trombones in our Swing Ensemble use small bore straight tenors. The bass bone is a Shires professional with Thayer type dual valves. In the Concert Band a little of both large bore F attachment and small bore straight tenors, to answer your question.

[PaulT]

A Yamaha 354 will be perfect for you. Provided, of course, that you like the one you are currently playing. It is a good horn and is well regarded by players.

Something to think about: Renting horns is a losing game. Renting is for kids that don't know if they want to play an instrument or not. You are an adult that knows what you want to do and will do it. A year of renting is enough spent to buy a carefully selected 354 straight out. A year of renting, if you know what you want to do, is money down the toilet.

Learn the market:

A brand new 354 will sell for $1500.

You can get a "mint" (like new) dealer demo 354 for $800 or so (which is in the range of what the horn you are currently playing should sell for).

If you don't mind a minor ding or two, and maybe a little finish wear, on a horn that is otherwise in good shape, you are down to $300-400 for a dandy horn. Do examine the horn, especially the slide action and inner slide wear. Have an experienced player help you check out the horn.


Consider this horn selling right now on Ebay. It is a "mint" dealer demo that has experienced little use. $800. (if a horn is called "mint" and isn't, it is returnable. Most dealer horns are returnable.)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/152667930826?_ ... R8qm7PzyZA

[PaulT]

Btw, the fellow above that said he played a 354 for years, Doug Elliot, is a professional trombone artist. He used his 354 when he auditioned for, and made, the Air Force's top brass ensemble, The Airmen of Note.

[Doug Elliott]

You can often find used 354's for as little as $100

[Thom]

A Yamaha 354 will be perfect for you. Provided, of course, that you like the one you are currently playing. It is a good horn and is well regarded by players.

Something to think about: Renting horns is a losing game. Renting is for kids that don't know if they want to play an instrument or not. You are an adult that knows what you want to do and will do it. A year of renting is enough spent to buy a carefully selected 354 straight out. A year of renting, if you know what you want to do, is money down the toilet.

Learn the market:

A brand new 354 will sell for $1500.

You can get a "mint" (like new) dealer demo 354 for $800 or so (which is in the range of what the horn you are currently playing should sell for).

If you don't mind a minor ding or two, and maybe a little finish wear, on a horn that is otherwise in good shape, you are down to $300-400 for a dandy horn. Do examine the horn, especially the slide action and inner slide wear. Have an experienced player help you check out the horn.


Consider this horn selling right now on Ebay. It is a "mint" dealer demo that has experienced little use. $800. (if a horn is called "mint" and isn't, it is returnable. Most dealer horns are returnable.)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/152667930826?_ ... R8qm7PzyZA

I am only renting until I can buy it after the first of the year.

[Thom]

I like the company I am renting from, they give really good deals and a discount when I buy it. Besides I prefer a brand new horn to used, just a personal preference. I have had several issues in the past with used horns over 30+ years. Just IMHO.

[Bach5G]

There’s a lot to be said for a new slide.

[Thom]

There’s a lot to be said for a new slide.

I agree.

[PaulT]

If you have a good local shop that provides service, by all means support them, or one day they may not be there (and all will be Amazon)

We have a great music store in Grand Forks, Popplers Music. Not only do they sell everything, they have a good service shop with two good repair techs (they take care of the needs of local school bands (and choirs) within 150 miles or so. And, a Big And, they provide both city bands with a great rehearsal place, one roomy enough to seat a couple hundred or so for our upcoming Christmas concert.

A good local music shop is worth supporting.

(and more and more, companies seem to be controlling their pricing policies so that large discounters can't run rough shod over the brick and mortar shops, so your support need not wallop your wallet. )

[Thom]

If you have a good local shop that provides service, by all means support them, or one day they may not be there (and all will be Amazon)

We have a great music store in Grand Forks, Popplers Music. Not only do they sell everything, they have a good service shop with two good repair techs (they take care of the needs of local school bands (and choirs) within 150 miles or so. And, a Big And, they provide both city bands with a great rehearsal place, one roomy enough to seat a couple hundred or so for our upcoming Christmas concert.

A good local music shop is worth supporting.

(and more and more, companies seem to be controlling their pricing policies so that large discounters can't run rough shod over the brick and mortar shops, so your support need not wallop your wallet. )

Can't agree more, local support is important.

[Savio]

I believe this is the trombone I started on long time ago. Must have been made from the 1960 something I think? Didn't think so much about that trombone then, but today I realise it's a very good trombone. One of my children play that old trombone today in it's a very good trombone in good condition. Today I believe this trombones are made in China but on control from Yamaha. They are Ok but the old ones is definitely better.

Leif