TromboneChat

Hope this is in the right place, Looking for a good trombone for amateur playing. Doesn’t have to be top of the line but not wanting junk. I know there’s a lot of variables but I have a low brass background and I am familiar with a lot of brands but know nothing about trombones. Budget isn’t and issue but not looking to spend 3k if I can get a solid horn for 1k or less.

JJ

What kind of playing? Of course, not much you can do with it publicly right now, but any plans?

If you want a cheap tenor I would recommend a Yamaha 354 or a Yamaha 356G. They can be found used. Both are high quality student horns that can be used professionally. It's a lot of trombone for the money. The 356G is a dual bore with f-attatchment. The 354 is a straight .500. You have a lot of older professional good horns to choose from before you hit 1k.

/Tom

imsevimse wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 11:55 am If you want a cheap tenor I would recommend a Yamaha 354 or a Yamaha 356G. They can be found used. Both are high quality student horns that can be used professionally. It's a lot of trombone for the money. The 356G is a dual bore with f-attatchment. The 354 is a straight .500. You have a lot of older professional good horns to choose from before you hit 1k.

/Tom

I would second the Yamaha 354 or 356G. I would not call the Yamaha cheap, only inexpensive and readily available. Too often "cheap" denotes poorly made or of low quality. As Tom said, they are a "lot of trombone for the money".

You need to pay attention to the condition of the slide--how freely it moves.

Best wishes!

Burgerbob wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 11:43 am What kind of playing? Of course, not much you can do with it publicly right now, but any plans?

I have 6 kids and 5 play in band. 1 bassoon 1 flute 1 saxophone 1 trumpet and my 7yr old currently is enamored with her slide trumpet. I mainly play tuba and flugel to help them out...

JJ

If it's for you, you would enjoy the 356G the most.
If it's for a small child (now or later) you should add the Yamaha 350C to that list. It's a different sort of horn, smaller but still in Bb. It has an ascending valve to put it in C so you have a C in 1st position and B in 2nd, as you would with an F attachment, but it's a smaller and lighter horn.

Doug Elliott wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 12:31 pm If it's for you, you would enjoy the 356G the most.
If it's for a small child (now or later) you should add the Yamaha 350C to that list. It's a different sort of horn, smaller but still in Bb. It has an ascending valve to put it in C so you have a C in 1st position and B in 2nd, as you would with an F attachment, but it's a smaller and lighter horn.

It’s for me, I’ll look for the 356G

Jj

I think I saw one yesterday in the classifieds here.

See the PM from me

Doug Elliott wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 12:49 pm See the PM from me

I replied...

The Yamaha 356R (F-attachment, dual-bore .500"/.525" and 8-inch bell), listed in the TromboneChat classifieds sounds like a good deal and a good match for your needs. No mouthpiece, but would be compatible with small-shank Yamaha 48 or Bach 6½AL - both readily available used at reasonable prices.

Good luck.

Posaunus wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 1:24 pm The Yamaha 356R (F-attachment, dual-bore .500"/.525" and 8-inch bell), listed in the TromboneChat classifieds sounds like a good deal and a good match for your needs. No mouthpiece, but would be compatible with small-shank Yamaha 48 or Bach 6½AL - both readily available used at reasonable prices.

Good luck.

Thank you, I don’t believe that one has an F attachment at least from the pictures.

AwesomeDad wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 12:18 pm

Burgerbob wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 11:43 am What kind of playing? Of course, not much you can do with it publicly right now, but any plans?

I have 6 kids and 5 play in band. 1 bassoon 1 flute 1 saxophone 1 trumpet and my 7yr old currently is enamored with her slide trumpet. I mainly play tuba and flugel to help them out...

JJ

You are, in fact, an awesome dad

356R has an F-attachment. 354 does not.

If an F-attachment is a requirement but you don't want to get involved in a big horn there are a lot of choices:

Bach 36B, TB-200B, Mercedes with F
Benge 175F
Conn 79H
There is a medium bore Getzen but I'm not sure of the model number
Holton TR-682
King 3B, 607, 608
Olds Ambassador with F, Recording with F
Reynolds Contempora
Selmer Bolero with F
Yamaha 646, 684, 640, 356, 446.

There are horns made in China and sold by John Packer (JP-Rath) and Wessex Tubas that will be better than junk (and actually quite good).

Not familiar enough with other brands to give favorable ratings.

If an F-attachment is not a requirement and you are near southern New Hampshire I have a closet full of old hons you can try out for free.

AwesomeDad wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 2:04 pm

Posaunus wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 1:24 pm The Yamaha 356R (F-attachment, dual-bore .500"/.525" and 8-inch bell), listed in the TromboneChat classifieds sounds like a good deal and a good match for your needs.

Thank you, I don’t believe that one has an F attachment at least from the pictures.

Yes, there appears to be an F-attachment. You will find that useful. Definitely worth an inquiry.

See: http://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=14928
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/abxgq6wr2m12 ... Zahpa?dl=0

Posaunus wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 2:22 pm

AwesomeDad wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 2:04 pm

Thank you, I don’t believe that one has an F attachment at least from the pictures.

Yes, there appears to be an F-attachment. You will find that useful. Definitely worth an inquiry.

See: http://trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=14928
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/abxgq6wr2m12 ... Zahpa?dl=0

You are correct must have had a bad link on my phone already emailed..:

Posaunus wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 1:24 pm The Yamaha 356R (F-attachment, dual-bore .500"/.525" and 8-inch bell), listed in the TromboneChat classifieds sounds like a good deal and a good match for your needs. No mouthpiece, but would be compatible with small-shank Yamaha 48 or Bach 6½AL - both readily available used at reasonable prices.

Good luck.

I know nothing about trombone mouthpieces, what would be the equivalent of a DW Sm4U in small shank? I have that in large shank for euphonium and like it a lot.

AwesomeDad wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 4:07 pm

Posaunus wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 1:24 pm The Yamaha 356R (F-attachment, dual-bore .500"/.525" and 8-inch bell), listed in the TromboneChat classifieds sounds like a good deal and a good match for your needs. No mouthpiece, but would be compatible with small-shank Yamaha 48 or Bach 6½AL - both readily available used at reasonable prices.

Good luck.

I know nothing about trombone mouthpieces, what would be the equivalent of a DW Sm4U in small shank? I have that in large shank for euphonium and like it a lot.

I'd start with a Wick 4BS. It will be a little shallower but the same rim.

BGuttman wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 5:03 pm

AwesomeDad wrote: ↑Mon May 25, 2020 4:07 pm I know nothing about trombone mouthpieces, what would be the equivalent of a DW Sm4U in small shank? I have that in large shank for euphonium and like it a lot.

I'd start with a Wick 4BS. It will be a little shallower but the same rim.

Or for a 0.500"/0.525" bore trombone (such as the Yamaha 356), you might prefer a slightly smaller mouthpiece, like a Denis Wick 5BS or 6BS. All in the (Wick) family, you know. Make sure you get small shank. Prices for new Wick mouthpieces are pretty reasonable.

https://www.deniswick.com/wp-content/up ... -Chart.pdf

A 4BS is probably not a bad choice for that horn. The rim would be close but may not actually be the same as the SM4U.

I also have a Yamaha 446G for sale in the classifieds - decent condition but could use a trip to a tech. It’s an intermediate horn with a great sound, F attachment and .525” bore. Easy to play, and pretty versatile. Lmk if interested!

Ok the 356R sold I appreciate all the great feedback. I found a Yamaha 897Z for a good price probably more than I should spend but a lot less than new. I’ll keep looking.

JJ

You should look at Magnum's Yamaha 446. He's asking a very reasonable price for a very versatile horn.

Sent OP a pm

I appreciate all the help and offers, stumbled across a great deal on a Yamaha 897Z (I know opposite end of the spectrum) but figured it’s plenty of horn for me...

JJ

AwesomeDad wrote: ↑Tue May 26, 2020 9:27 am I appreciate all the help and offers, stumbled across a great deal on a Yamaha 897Z (I know opposite end of the spectrum) but figured it’s plenty of horn for me...

JJ

The Yamaha 897Z is a great small-bore tenor trombone. You will enjoy it, and it will last your lifetime!

Posaunus wrote: ↑Tue May 26, 2020 11:20 am

AwesomeDad wrote: ↑Tue May 26, 2020 9:27 am I appreciate all the help and offers, stumbled across a great deal on a Yamaha 897Z (I know opposite end of the spectrum) but figured it’s plenty of horn for me...

JJ

The Yamaha 897Z is a great small-bore tenor trombone. You will enjoy it, and it will last your lifetime!

Thank you so much...