TromboneChat

Looking for information on valve trombones. Specifically, what is a good maker, I only have $300 to$500 to spend so Jupiter,Getzen, the top brands are out of the question. Went to eBay and the India-made trombone has flooded the market, and I have heard nothing but horror stories about their products. Mendini seems to have ok reviews, was hoping someone would have good advice on a maker to look at for the price range I'm in.

What are your goals with valve trombone?

Check into used horns, such as the Yamaha YSL-354V, or possibly it’s predecessors in the YSL-35X series. Other used brands to search for might include Olds and Conn and a whole slew of others.

Alternatively, if it doesn’t need to look like a traditional valve trombone, you might check on marching trombones, which would have the same fingerings and bore size, but be much more compact and common in today’s market. Another option could be a trombonium.

As far as I know, Mendini is Chinese made, and a not-quite-good one at that.

pompatus wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 10:12 am What are your goals with valve trombone?

Check into used horns, such as the Yamaha YSL-354V, or possibly it’s predecessors in the YSL-35X series. Other used brands to search for might include Olds and Conn and a whole slew of others.

Alternatively, if it doesn’t need to look like a traditional valve trombone, you might check on marching trombones, which would have the same fingerings and bore size, but be much more compact and common in today’s market. Another option could be a trombonium.

I'm just learning, used to pay baritone in school so wanted to keep with valves rather than slide. I've checked all over the internet, ebay, craigslist, offerup. Again I have read so many bad reviews about India made, and China made instruments I'm afraid to pull the trigger on one. I'm retired and on Social Security so $500.00 is a lot of money to me.

sirisobhakya wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 10:13 am As far as I know, Mendini is Chinese made, and a not-quite-good one at that.

Yeah, I was afraid of that

Anyone familiar with Thomann Bb-Valve Trombone

https://www.thomannmusic.com/thomann_ventilposaune.htm

rleegabe wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 1:46 pm Anyone familiar with Thomann Bb-Valve Trombone

https://www.thomannmusic.com/thomann_ventilposaune.htm

Has the same kind of valves as the Yamaha YSL-354 V Trombone 3 Perinet valves

rleegabe wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 1:46 pm Anyone familiar with Thomann Bb-Valve Trombone

https://www.thomannmusic.com/thomann_ventilposaune.htm

For this kind of money, all new instruments are going to be Chinese stencil brands. You might get a decent one; you might not. The Thomann (Germany) or Gear4Music (UK) stores have cheap things but you'll have to pay customs fees when they arrive in the US, and returning an unsatisfactory instrument will be much more complicated for the same reasons. Jim Laabs carries the same sort of stock domestically.

Used, something like this might be an option: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124945820917

... and DJ Kennedy might have something.

Thank you!!!

You also might want to look at prowinds.com out of New Richmond, Wisconsin. In addition to the pricier models from King and Jupiter they also sell the more affordable John Packer trombones, which are imported as well, but quality control is probably better. However they will still be over $500.00 You may get lucky on eBay but I'd avoid anything without a clear return policy.

Are you looking for valves + a slide? If you played euphonium before, that might still be the best bet. I have a flugabone, which is probably widely derided, but was my gateway to trombone coming from trumpet. I'd probably look for a cheap, local used trombone. That would be your best on learning and you'd probably make some good progress.

If you‘re looking for at used instruments, there are some European brands which, in Europe at least, regularly come up for between 200€ and 500€. Maybe some have made it to the US over the years also?

K&H are generally more towards the upper end
Amati and Cerveny in the middle
Schenkelaars and Weltklang at the lower end

I‘ve not tried a valve trombone from any of these personally but have tried slide trombones and/or oval horns from all. All those listed should have been capable of making a solid horn but as always condition is everything so try before you buy if you can.

You may want to check out Dillons also

https://www.dillonmusic.com/dillon-valve-trombone/

My granddaughter is also a baritone / euphonium player that wanted to play in a jazz band. She was faced with learning the slide positions and adapted to it quite well. Valve fingerings corelate readily with the 7 trombone positions and soon become second nature.

I think you'd be better off getting a good used straight trombone. I've never been satisfied with a valve trombone.

Yammi 354 would give you the best bang for the buck.