TromboneChat

I'm new to trombone and currently renting for the semester. I'm hoping to get a cheap starter trombone for now. The Glory Bb/F trigger trombone is on amazon for $169.99 and the Etude ETB-100 is on wwbw.com for $149.99 in a value pack that includes a Jo-Ral Straight Mute. Which is the better instrument/deal?

No, get a used yamaha 354

If you want to start the trombone and get into lots of different playing, get something like this:

https://wessex-tubas.com/collections/tr ... 525-pbf525

Much less than that and you're just wasting your money.

eisendracheder wrote: ↑Thu Aug 27, 2020 5:34 pm I'm new to trombone and currently renting for the semester. I'm hoping to get a cheap starter trombone for now. The Glory Bb/F trigger trombone is on amazon for $169.99 and the Etude ETB-100 is on wwbw.com for $149.99 in a value pack that includes a Jo-Ral Straight Mute. Which is the better instrument/deal?

I would not buy either of them. I have tested comparable Chinese trombones and many aren't worth the scrap value of the metal. In this sense they are like oats that have already been through the horse once. Yes, they were originally oats, but ...

If you are renting a straight (no F-attachment) trombone, look for another one. The Yamaha 354 is a great choice. You can often get a used one for around $350 US. If you really want an F-attachment, look for the Yamaha 356. It will cost about $200 more (both used).

Harrison's choice of the Wessex is a good instrument but you will have a problem finding one used.

Eastman triggers are pretty cheap but kind of hard to find used, but not impossible like the wessex. I have some in the area if you want me to check prices for you.

Look for a used American built or American company student horn, Holton Collegiate, Conn Director, King 605/606, Benge, Blessing, Bach, Getzen, etc. The Yamaha 200 and 354 are also good. I found several on my local Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for under $200. What Bruce said is correct - off brand Chinese and Indian horns are junk. I picked up one that looked nice at a garage sale and the solder joints were so bad the only thing holding it together was the lacquer. My tech won't even work on them. If you need parts, good luck.

Trombones are like mechanical watches in a sense.

Sure you can buy a $10 watch at the gas station and it will tell time, ironically probably more accurately than a Rolex, but it will literally fall apart within a month and the total sum of the parts aren't even worth the battery inside of it. Spend $100 on a nice automatic mechanical watch like a Seiko and it can last a life time with occasional matience.

You don't need spend $1000 or heck even $500 on a trombone to get something that'll last a life time but you need to spend at least $200-300 to get a nice used student or pro horn that won't fall apart on you. That doesn't include the price for a half decent mouthpiece or a case that won't disinigrate within a year.

Sorry for the watch analogy.... I like watches lol

Make it an investment.

Neither, fix a budget then post on here stating what type of playing you are looking to do etc also nothing wrong

Have you got a teacher ? If not then get one

You renting, so what are you renting?

Elow wrote: ↑Thu Aug 27, 2020 8:36 pm Eastman triggers are pretty cheap but kind of hard to find used, but not impossible like the wessex. I have some in the area if you want me to check prices for you.

That would be great. Thank you

Vegasbound wrote: ↑Fri Aug 28, 2020 2:26 am Neither, fix a budget then post on here stating what type of playing you are looking to do etc also nothing wrong

Have you got a teacher ? If not then get one

You renting, so what are you renting?

I'm taking a group instruction brass methods class for my music ed program, so technically I do have a teacher. The prof's mainly a trumpet player but she's going to teach me trombone later in the semester. Hopefully that's a good starting place. The trombone I currently have is a Holton TR602

If I go used, do dents affect the sound of the instrument? Is it only a problem if it comes to the tuning slide?

eisendracheder wrote: ↑Fri Aug 28, 2020 3:54 am If I go used, do dents affect the sound of the instrument? Is it only a problem if it comes to the tuning slide?

Biggest problem with used instruments is normally the condition of the slide. Dents in the slide can be VERY bad -- don't affect intonation but do interfere with slide operation.

Small dents (up to 3 mm) in the slide bow or tuning slide bow will make no difference whatsoever in the playing. Deeper dents may be a small problem, but one that a beginner would never notice. If the slide bow or tuning slide bow is totally crushed, that's a problem.

Incidentally, are you renting a TR-602 or a TR-602F (F-attachment)? I'd bet you could easily find a 602F at a reasonable price (used). I just got in a Holton TR-680, which is supposed to be a "training bass": 13.2 mm bore, "flat wrap" F-attachment, 225 mm bell. When I get a chance to test it out (can't play for the next week) I'll post something on here about how good it is. Cost me $400 US -- probably a reasonable price for you.

eisendracheder wrote: ↑Fri Aug 28, 2020 3:54 am If I go used, do dents affect the sound of the instrument? Is it only a problem if it comes to the tuning slide?

No. You probably won't want big dents in the instrument, but that's an easy fix for a repair tech. Just make sure the tuning slide(s) move freely and the main playing slide is in good condition (no inner wear, aligned slides, seals properly, and no dents in the outer slides). Also if your getting one with a valve, make sure its seals properly.

eisendracheder wrote: ↑Thu Aug 27, 2020 5:34 pm I'm new to trombone and currently renting for the semester. I'm hoping to get a cheap starter trombone for now. The Glory Bb/F trigger trombone is on amazon for $169.99 and the Etude ETB-100 is on wwbw.com for $149.99 in a value pack that includes a Jo-Ral Straight Mute. Which is the better instrument/deal?

Both of these horns, from what I hear, are not the kind of trombones you'd be looking for.
If you just need a trombone, I'd look for a King 605 or 606, an Olds Ambassador, the Holton you mention you're using, or a student grade Yamaha on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. They pop up a lot, often times sell for the same amount as the ones on Amazon you mention, and not uncommonly sell for half as much. I'm not sure about Reynold's student horns, but a lot show up for 60 or 70 bucks if you look in the right places, and are likely as good, if not better, than the horns you mention in good condition.