Trombone purchasing advice

[zyb]

Hello,

I've played piano for over 35 years, and now I want to buy a student tenor trombone to start practicing for the first time. I have choose one trombone among the two alternatives, Yamaha YSL 354 and Besson 1000 series. What would you suggest based on product quality and ease of playing?

Thank you in advance,

zyb

[BGuttman]

Yamaha. Punches well above its [cost] weight.

[Kingfan]

Not familiar with the Besson, but I've owned the Yamaha. Very good horn for the money. Wish I hadn't sold it.

[GabrielRice]

Yamaha for sure.

[walldaja]

Yamaha!

[cubetrom]

Yamaha 354.

I learned on a Besson 1000 about 25 years ago and remember struggling to make significant progress on it, and I was an enthusiastic learner who practiced often and loved being in a band. I wouldn't waste your time.

[steve4dd]

I just joined TromboneChat and looking for suggestions. I just retired (software developer) and want to start playing again after 20 years. I had 2 Conn 88H's, and preferred the sound of a large bore. But now I aspire to play in a small jazz group, and am considering a small (or medium?) bore, thinking that it will require less air and should have a higher range. My budget is up to 1K. Advice appreciated. And toss in suggestions for a mouthpiece as well. The one I had was rather deep.

[steve4dd]

I noticed that someone included the Getzen 747 Eterna II in "most overrated". Still, I can go play one in excellent condition for $700 (though I have to drive 3 hours each way). Opinions as to whether or not that sounds reasonable?

[BGuttman]

@Steve4dd:

You may find that a Medium Bore with F will be more useful than a large bore with F like the Conn 88H.

You should be able to find a load of good instruments in our Classifieds.

One instrument that may really fill the bill would be a King 3B with F. It's a little smaller than Medium Bore, but would fit as a 2nd or 3rd trombone in a Jazz Band in a heartbeat. Also good for Community Band. And if you find yourself playing a show, it is nearly perfect.

Medium Bore instruments would include:

Bach 36B
Benge 175F
Blessing 78H
Conn 79H
Holton 170
King 2125F (3B+ with F)
Yamaha 646, 684, 640

There are others. Some of the Chinese made horns can be good if supported by a good store (Jim Laabs, John Packer, Wessex Tubas).

[Geordie]

You might consider a King 3B+F ie at .525 slightly larger than a 3B and has an F trigger. Very flexible for a range of material

[ek01075]

@zyb - ysl 354 for sure!

@steve44d - we were able to pick up a Yamaha 646 (.525 bore, f-attachment) for my niece for around $750 and had a little slide work done on it… plays awesome. Yamaha’s intermediate 446 also seems to be a safe bet.

[ek01075]

I’ve played a King 3b for years and like her Yamaha more (who would’ve thunk)…

[FSBone58]

Yamaha is a good choice or a solid 3B as mentioned above.

[hyperbolica]

I just joined TromboneChat and looking for suggestions. I just retired (software developer) and want to start playing again after 20 years. I had 2 Conn 88H's, and preferred the sound of a large bore. But now I aspire to play in a small jazz group, and am considering a small (or medium?) bore, thinking that it will require less air and should have a higher range. My budget is up to 1K. Advice appreciated. And toss in suggestions for a mouthpiece as well. The one I had was rather deep.

I'm an 88h player as well. The horns that make me feel that 88h groove are:
- 79h (not that common, but always great horns if you get an Elkhart)
- 32h (a bit different, but a definite Conn vibe)
- Getzen 1050 or 3508 (I have a 3508, and I use it as if it were a small bore 88h)
- Olds Recording (heavier, but a similar vibe in the sound)