TromboneChat

Hi guys,
I've been using my current trombone with axial valve (Sierman STB-760) for a long time and Im looking for a new one since it is having some problems. I am now playing in the symphonic band and marching band in my high school. Is there any models that have an axial valve? I'm considering to have a edwards T350HB. Is that a good one? Or is there any better choice? What's good and what's not good about it?
Also, I saw the Antoine Courtois Creation 421 with a Hagmann valve and detachable bells and I think it's pretty cool. Should I consider this one instead?

I love my Courtois New Yorker, it’s a phenomenal instrument. But, I’d be a lot more curious as to what your goals are. I think that will give a lot more direction to what a good choice might be. I would not even consider using my Courtois in marching band, and even getting one in high school is not something I’d generally recommend to a student pre-college.

Gfunk wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2024 12:19 pm I love my Courtois New Yorker, it’s a phenomenal instrument. But, I’d be a lot more curious as to what your goals are. I think that will give a lot more direction to what a good choice might be. I would not even consider using my Courtois in marching band, and even getting one in high school is not something I’d generally recommend to a student pre-college.

So I am just being a temporary marching band member and for the most time I play for a symphonic band and school orchestra. I do not really wanted to be a professional, but having the same level as a professional player because I really enjoy playing this instrument. I am also doing the CBDA All-State Symphonic Band this year and probably the following years (since I am a sophomore). My private teacher said I am way advanced than a actual high school player.
By the way, I am having two trombones, one is used for marching band and the one I mentioned in the post for symphonic band.

Just for curiousity: What is wrong with your Sierman - ethics aside (!! )?
I own the same model as backup, because I very rarely play tenor. Bought it playtesting it back to back with an Edwards. That was better in any respect, but the price was four times that of the Sierman, which I just could not justify as a bass trombonist who wold use the tenor three times a year...
On mine the plating came off quickly and the Thayer needs a lot oil. But other than that it served me well.
So: Why do you think you have to replace it?

What budget do you have? The price on a new Courtois is... interesting.

I would personally forget the axial requirement, and get something like a Bach 36. It's a pro horn with a single rotary valve. You can march with it, use it in symphonic band and do just about anything. Axials are a maintenance and weight issue, and probably not a great match for marching. 36b is also available used with lots of service parts available.

Also Bach 42 with axial is available but there's a big expense differential.

Tooloud wrote: Sat Nov 30, 2024 2:22 am Just for curiousity: What is wrong with your Sierman - ethics aside (!! )?
I own the same model as backup, because I very rarely play tenor. Bought it playtesting it back to back with an Edwards. That was better in any respect, but the price was four times that of the Sierman, which I just could not justify as a bass trombonist who wold use the tenor three times a year...
On mine the plating came off quickly and the Thayer needs a lot oil. But other than that it served me well.
So: Why do you think you have to replace it?

Probably because I didn't maintain the instrument well, the valve has been getting slow and needed to lubricant very often. Besides, the slide has been slow as well. I need to lubricant it almost every day so that the slide goes well. There is also green-ish stuff inside the tuning slides and around that area. The leadpipe is stuck, and there is no way to fix it (although it doesn't matter a lot to me). Some screws resonates while I am playing, which is very annoying.
It is a pretty good model and it gets on very well with me. I've been using it from my middle school. I love playing with this one, but the problems above are really bothering me. The most significant one is the resonace from the screws. It keeps buzzing when I play a E flat above the staff and some other notes.

hyperbolica wrote: Sat Nov 30, 2024 8:05 am I would personally forget the axial requirement, and get something like a Bach 36. It's a pro horn with a single rotary valve. You can march with it, use it in symphonic band and do just about anything. Axials are a maintenance and weight issue, and probably not a great match for marching. 36b is also available used with lots of service parts available.

Also Bach 42 with axial is available but there's a big expense differential.

Thank you for the advices!!! I would consider them.

Thnak you for the reply!
I have quite similar issues: The screws need to be tightend from time to time. I just unscrew and screw them back tightly whenever there is boring break during a rehearsal... The greenish stuff comes off with a usual brass cleaner, no problem.
As with the leadpipe: It is a fake, it cannot be unscrewd. The ring is just for the look, so this can not be changed.
I see that you want a new toy, but if you fix these issues you may get a better price if you sell the sierman. With just an hour of simple work (fresh oil on valve and Yamahasnot on the slide) it can present itself flawless in playtesting... Good luck!

Tooloud wrote: Sun Dec 01, 2024 2:31 am Thnak you for the reply!
I have quite similar issues: The screws need to be tightend from time to time. I just unscrew and screw them back tightly whenever there is boring break during a rehearsal... The greenish stuff comes off with a usual brass cleaner, no problem.
As with the leadpipe: It is a fake, it cannot be unscrewd. The ring is just for the look, so this can not be changed.
I see that you want a new toy, but if you fix these issues you may get a better price if you sell the sierman. With just an hour of simple work (fresh oil on valve and Yamahasnot on the slide) it can present itself flawless in playtesting... Good luck!

The leadpipe is actually removable in the beginning years of me playing this horn (as I remembered). Other than that, thanks for the advices!!

Sounds like your horn needs a real good cleaning and a lot of TLC
Even if you bought a "Better" horn, if you don`t take care of it, things go wrong

dukesboneman wrote: Mon Dec 02, 2024 4:53 am Sounds like your horn needs a real good cleaning and a lot of TLC
Even if you bought a "Better" horn, if you don`t take care of it, things go wrong

Indeed. Proper care and maintenance (including a regular hygiene protocol) is the key to instrument longevity.
There are no shortcuts.