I am a trumpet player but have a son starting trombone this summer.
He is a beginner and looking to graduate him up if he keeps up with it, but for now I have found a good deal on the below models and I am looking for feedback or thoughts on which I should get him. Costs are all pretty equal at about $300-400.
Blessing B-88-O Open Wrap F Attachment Trigger Trombone
Yamaha Advantage Model YSL 200AD Trombone
Conn Director’s Student Model ( in not sure the model foe the one actually.
Thoughts? Appreciate any feedback or help you could give.
Recommendation for new player
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- BGuttman
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Re: Recommendation for new player
First of all, don't bother with an F-attachment trombone for a rank beginner (B88). It's a horn he can step up into once he masters the basic instrument.
The Yamaha 200AD (or 354, same horn) are good quality instruments and play well above their "standard".
The Conn Director comes in a number of different flavors (and a variety of model numbers). The latest one is identical to the King 606 (except for the bell nut, which is on the slide on the King and the bell on the Conn). Some Directors play very well. The King 606 analog is excellent as a beginner horn.
If you are buying a used instrument, condition is the trump card. A trombone with a balky slide makes playing uncomfortable. Imagine having a valve on your trumpet with a dent in it.
Good luck.
The Yamaha 200AD (or 354, same horn) are good quality instruments and play well above their "standard".
The Conn Director comes in a number of different flavors (and a variety of model numbers). The latest one is identical to the King 606 (except for the bell nut, which is on the slide on the King and the bell on the Conn). Some Directors play very well. The King 606 analog is excellent as a beginner horn.
If you are buying a used instrument, condition is the trump card. A trombone with a balky slide makes playing uncomfortable. Imagine having a valve on your trumpet with a dent in it.
Good luck.
Bruce Guttman
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
- Doug Elliott
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Re: Recommendation for new player
The Yamaha would be my first choice, but I wouldn't necessarily dismiss the Blessing. It depends on how old and how big he is.
"I know a thing or two because I've seen a thing or two."
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Re: Recommendation for new player
Have you got a trombone teacher lined up?
The Yamaha is a good horn, but as Doug said consider the blessing
The Yamaha is a good horn, but as Doug said consider the blessing
- spencercarran
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Re: Recommendation for new player
Yamaha, their student trombone is unreasonably good.
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Re: Recommendation for new player
Appreciate all of the feedback. Both the Yamaha and the Blessing all are in pretty great condition. My boy is 11 but a little bit bigger build. I think I’m going to go with the blessing. The weight is fairly similar and it saves us from having to up grade later should he stick with it. The price is almost too good to pass up as well. I think right off the bat I have equity built it.
- Kingfan
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Re: Recommendation for new player
Good choice!
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are still missing! 
Greg Songer
Blessing USA small bore student horn, Bach 5
King 4B-F: Bach 5G

Greg Songer
Blessing USA small bore student horn, Bach 5
King 4B-F: Bach 5G