TromboneChat

I've been playing on the university horn and now I'm about to graduate. I have a nice tenor and I'd like a nice bass to go with it.

I'm looking for recommendations on intermediate and professional level horns. Top of the budget is ~$5-6k for something professional but I would prefer <$3k if possible. Like I said I'm looking at intermediate horns as well.

I'm also only looking for used horns. Bonus points if it looks ugly (but plays well), I'm a sucker for well-loved trombones.

Edit: Independent valves are a must!!

And I didn't realize my email was public, please don't email me

For general value I like the Benge 290.

Lots of folks seem to like the Yamaha 613.

I played a King 7B for about 30 years in orchestra, concert band, and jazz band. Not everybody's cup of tea but I loved mine.

BassBoneSupremacy wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 10:44 am I've been playing on the university horn and now I'm about to graduate. I have a nice tenor and I'd like a nice bass to go with it.

I'm looking for recommendations on intermediate and professional level horns. Top of the budget is ~$5-6k for something professional but I would prefer <$3k if possible. Like I said I'm looking at intermediate horns as well.

I'm also only looking for used horns. Bonus points if it looks ugly (but plays well), I'm a sucker for well-loved trombones.

What kind of horn are you playing now? Are you located in the United States?

Dillon Music, the Brass Exchange, The Brass Ark, and ads here and on facebook will most likely be your best bet. There are plenty of very good used bass trombones on the market. All depends on what you are looking for.

What type of playing are you planning on doing? Are you looking only for independent basses, or would dependent work as well?

Emailed you

tbonesullivan wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 11:14 am

BassBoneSupremacy wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 10:44 am I've been playing on the university horn and now I'm about to graduate. I have a nice tenor and I'd like a nice bass to go with it.

I'm looking for recommendations on intermediate and professional level horns. Top of the budget is ~$5-6k for something professional but I would prefer <$3k if possible. Like I said I'm looking at intermediate horns as well.

I'm also only looking for used horns. Bonus points if it looks ugly (but plays well), I'm a sucker for well-loved trombones.

What kind of horn are you playing now? Are you located in the United States?

Dillon Music, the Brass Exchange, The Brass Ark, and ads here and on facebook will most likely be your best bet. There are plenty of very good used bass trombones on the market. All depends on what you are looking for.

What type of playing are you planning on doing? Are you looking only for independent basses, or would dependent work as well?

I'm on a Yamaha 830 right now, it plays pretty damn well, but I've heard they can kind be all over the place horn to horn. I'm in the US, southeast but planning on moving up north or out west for graduate school next year (depends where I'm accepted). I'll be pursuing a physics PhD, so I'll probably stick something light with the university cause it's a hard program, but once I'm done and settled I'd like to join a local jazz or orchestra group. Probably nothing *super* rigorous, but I'd like to at least stay at a decent skill level.

I updated my post but I am only looking for independent valves! I have...very strong opinions on dependent setups.

BassBoneSupremacy wrote: Mon Jun 16, 2025 11:32 amI'm on a Yamaha 830 right now, it plays pretty damn well, but I've heard they can kind be all over the place horn to horn. I'm in the US, southeast but planning on moving up north or out west for graduate school next year (depends where I'm accepted). I'll be pursuing a physics PhD, so I'll probably stick something light with the university cause it's a hard program, but once I'm done and settled I'd like to join a local jazz or orchestra group. Probably nothing *super* rigorous, but I'd like to at least stay at a decent skill level.

I updated my post but I am only looking for independent valves! I have...very strong opinions on dependent setups.

Honestly, YBL-613H or YBL-613 Yamaha horns. Either would serve you very well. Just make sure you get them with both crooks for the second valve, as they came new with a G and a Gb crook.

I play an 830, and have honestly never had a problem with it. I had a 613H Silver plate prior to that, and I ended up liking the 830 more.

Getzen 1052FD and 1052FDR are some more great choices. The current production Conn Independent basses are also pretty good.

XO 1240 is a great bass bone and new in your price range.