Well I did it

[rubberchops]

I bought an honest to goodness brass trombone. It's a King Cleveland 605 that cost me the princely sum of $125.

[Kingfan]

Those Kings are good solid players. What did you have before, a pBone?

[rubberchops]

Yep, I was using a pBone. What's funny is that my King was half as much as the pBone cost.

[Kingfan]

Yep, I was using a pBone. What's funny is that my King was half as much as the pBone cost.

Not if you bought the King new!

[rubberchops]

Yeah no doubt. I got a great deal.

[HermanGerman]

No, you got a 605...

[BGuttman]

No, you got a 605...

A working playing trombone for US$125 is a good deal. Sure, sometimes you can find one for less, but more often you pay more and get less.

[Matt K]

Yeah, 605 is a solid instrument and an incredible upgrade compared to a phone, especially at that price point. You may want to consider getting a chem clean and slide work on it depending on condition. Since these are "student" horns, sometimes they aren't in the best of shape and a really nice slide makes the instrument much less annoying to play... but you wouldn't realize it until you've played a slide that isn't annoying. But beyond that enjoy it!

[Ozzlefinch]

Congrats on your "new" horn! That's actually a pretty decent price. +1 on taking it in to a tech for a cleaning and adjustment.

I bought a p-bone last Christmas as a gift to myself just to try it out. It plays fine, happy colors, and definitely light weight. BUT..... it does NOT mix well with other brass instruments. It definitely needs to be played either solo or with other P-instruments.

I wouldn't recommend one to a beginner for that reason alone. You are better off doing as the OP did and buying a second-hand student instrument made of brass. The brass 'bone will serve you well for many years and you can play it in just about any environment without problems.

My summary of the P-bone is to buy one if you want one, play it for fun and practice, but don't expect to use it in any actual bands/orchestras outside of a "comedy skit" type of concept.

[rubberchops]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

[BGuttman]

I have a Cool Winds plastic trombone (with F-attachment). I bought it for Christmas Caroling outdoors. Definitely won't play it in a group unless I must. It has one advantage: it's nearly impossible to dent the slide.

Halfway decent brass trombones are available in the used market. Stay away from cheap Chinese or Indian instruments -- they are really bad.

[HermanGerman]

All my students begin (and some end) with cheap Chinese trombones sold Thomann, Germany. They are very fine instruments!

https://www.thomann.de/de/tenorposaunen ... %20posaune